The Overweight Dog
Dietary Tips For Turning The Obese Dog Into A Hot Dog
Dog diets for the overweight dog are becoming almost as common as weight loss diets for humans. Active, healthy canines that eat a well-balanced diet and lead an active lifestyle are seldom obese. In today’s hectic world, however, all too often pets do not get the exercise required to burn away the calories consumed.
Sometimes an overweight dog is the result of their humans allowing them to eat anything and everything at any time they wish. Our canine children, just like human children, will often make poor food choices. Perhaps you’ve seen someone allowing their pet to eat cake, ice cream, candy, or other “junk food” which has little nutrition and tons of calories. Once a canine develops a taste for sweets or fatty foods, they crave these foods just as do humans that over-consume junk foods. It can be a very difficult habit to break.
When fat develops build up on a dog’s body, the fatty tissue places pressure on the internal organs such as the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, reproductive organs, lungs, and the results can be very serious indeed. But an obese pet doesn’t have to remain overweight. By changing elements in the diet, combined with exercise, fat can melt away. This results in a healthy, sleek canine with a shiny coat, bright eyes, healthy gums and teeth, and lots of energy.
Giving dogs table scraps is one of the most common reasons cited for obesity. You may even be offering your furry pal a well-balanced food product recommended by your veterinarian. If the pooch is allowed in the dining room during meals or near where snacks are consumed, you may be surprised to learn that the kids and maybe even your spouse are sneaking high fat or high sugar tidbits under the table to Fido. You may even be guilty of doing this at times yourself!
Consider this as similar to the chef who repeatedly test tastes the food while it is being prepared. Those calories add up quite quickly, resulting in extra pounds. All those tidbits add up to loads of calories and often offer an unbalanced mixture of protein, carbohydrates, fats, salt, and sugar. The foods may be very calorie-dense, meaning that only a small serving contains lots of calories.
A weight loss program for your overweight dog can be based on one of the dog diets that contain a full spectrum of necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Many very tasty varieties of these low-fat foods can be recommended by your veterinarian. The amount of food given to the overweight dog can be determined by your vet or by using a chart on most doggie diet food packages.
It is also important to find treats that your canine loves, but which are low calorie and low fat. Instead of the high fat skin from a piece of fried chicken, offer a healthy, packaged treat designed for canines. Or offer a rawhide chew to satisfy the need to work those teeth and jaws.
As well, it is important to help your obese pet increase calorie-burning activities. Instead of just stepping outdoors for potty time, incorporate a walk into the process. Begin with a short stroll at a leisurely pace. Most canines that are chubby lack the fitness needed to tackle long walks or runs as they begin the diet process. As weight is shed and the pooch’s muscles begin to tone up a bit, you can increase the walks, working up to a gentle jog if you enjoy jogging. Try to work up to the point that the exercise reaches aerobic level for you; you’ll know your pet is working hard enough to burn fat cells while building muscle.
On a beautiful day, dig out the old Frisbee or an appropriately sized ball and play toss in the back yard or at the park. Soon, your beloved furry friend will be racing, jumping up to capture the toy and proudly presenting it at your feet.
Selecting one of the top-quality dog diets recommended by your veterinarian, either dry kibble or moist canned food, can add years of happiness that you and your companion will share together. Overweight dogs, as is often true of obese humans, tend to have reduced longevity, and you want your furry pal to be with you as long as possible.
Dog Names Home
Leave Overweight Dogs and Return to Dog Care

|