Four Tips To Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Posted on: 2 September 2015
Pet obesity can be a dangerous thing. If you have a dog that is having weight management issues, it is up to you to try to get their weight down to an acceptable level. Working closely with your vet during the process can help you monitor your pet's progress and your vet can offer up suggestions along the way. Here are four things that you should start doing today if your dog is overweight.
1. Set Weight Loss Goals With Your Vet
Once you have gone through a checkup with your vet, you can set goals together for your dog's weight loss plan. If you can have a goal weight in mind and milestones along the way, you will be more apt to help your dog get back to a healthier weight. Most vets will let you bring in your dog for weigh-ins along the way free of charge.
2. Get Food Recommendations From Your Vet
If you can source protein rich food without fillers, your dog will be eating smarter and not even realize it. Sometimes healthier food is more expensive, but it is worth it if it will keep your dog from ending up with secondary illness due to weight gain. Some foods can only be sourced through animal hospitals so be sure to heed their advice.
3. Be Vigilant with Food Intake
If your dog loves to beg and is rewarded with table scraps, this bad habit will need to end. It it up to you to be the bad guy and get your dog's diet in check right away. If you have multiple pets, monitoring feedings will be important to make sure that your dog with a weight problem isn't stealing food from others.
4. Get Your Dog Active
If your dog is cooped up indoors all day long, you need to either change your schedule or your dog's. If you cannot get away from work to walk and play with your dog, hire on a dog walker or get your dog to doggy daycare. There is a misperception that smaller dogs need less activity and are usually easier to keep indoors in urban areas. These dogs need activity in their life just as much as big dogs.
Health-related issues such as a fatty liver or diabetes can cause your dog's lifespan to shorten, or they might be put on a medical regime for the rest of their life. Anything that you can do as a dog owner to keep your dog healthy and happy will be worth it. Work closely with an animal hospital, like Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists & 24-Hour Emergency Hospital, to keep your dog's weight down and activity levels up.
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