Do you think your dog needs to shed a few pounds? If you do, you are not alone. A 2011 study on Web MD state that 53 percent of all domestic dogs in America are overweight. If you feel around your pet's ribs and spine, and are not able to locate the bone structures because of a thick layer of fat, then your dog probably needs to cut down on the Millkbones. Also, if you cannot determine an upward tuck of the abdomen when your dog is standing sideways, then it may be an indicator that your dog needs a new diet.
When looking at your dog from above, you should be able to determine a moderate narrowing of the waist just past the ribcage. If you can't see this, or your dog's body bulges past the ribcage, then the dog is not at his or her ideal weight. In a healthy dog, a thin layer of fat separates the skin from the dog's ribs and spine. You can also determine if your dog is overweight by taking him or her to a local vet. This animal doctor will be able to evaluate your pooch's size, and will probably have charts documenting your dog's weight gain over the years. When you pet reaches adulthood, ask your vet what the optimal weight for his or her specific breed is. After you are given a small range of weight to work with, you can make sure to keep your dog at the weight that is healthiest for him or her. Anything from one to fifteen percent above the vet prescribed weight range is overweight for your dog.
If your dog is 15 percent above his or her optimal weight, then he or she is obese, and may be in danger of serious health risks. When a dog is overweight, it can lead to cardiac diseases, or diabetes in dogs known as Diabetes Mellitus. Sometimes a dog will experience dangerous high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, respiratory disorders or cancer from an unhealthy diet. Also, the heavy weight that your dog starts bearing from weight gain may lead to orthopedic injuries like cruciate ligament ruptures or patellar luxation. Many of these dangerous conditions can be fatal if they are not cured by putting your dog on a healthy diet.
In some cases, your pet's plumpness may be the result of a hormonal disease like hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome. Yet in many cases, dogs gain weight from too many treats, begging under the table, or a lack of exercise. Some dogs are more prone towards obesity than others. Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniels, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, English Bulldogs, Labs, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards all have a tendency to gain weight quickly. Other dog breeds, such as Greyhounds, German Shepherds, and Yorkshire Terriers tend to stay slim, and don't normally have weight problems.
Though Fido may persuade you otherwise, human food is not good for dogs. You should not feed your dog table scraps or the rest of your dinner, since these foods are not engineered to help your pet stay healthy. In fact, many human foods have dangerous components which can harm your dog in other ways that are much worse than a little weight gain. Also, treats are like candy for dogs, and too many Milkbones or duck tenders can cause your pet to grow a belly. You should regulate these treats for special occasions, and even then use them sparingly. Cut treats in half to lessen your dog's food intake.
Always feed your dog healthy pet foods, and take him or her for walks or runs so that he or she is getting plenty of exercise. Your vet may be able to prescribe a healthy diet and exercise plan to keep your pooch in tip-top shape and safe from obesity-related illnesses. Whenever you put your dog on a diet, remember that food is not love. While your pet may look at your longingly as your eat your steak for dinner, you can reward Fido in another way instead of letting him gorge. If your dog is not losing weight despite changing his or her diet and exercise plan, a vet may issue a weight loss drug called Slentrol. This is a helpful for dogs that tend to gain weight because of their breed. By making sure to feed your dog healthy dog food and give him or her regular exercise, you will improve your pet's health.