It starts out when you get your roly poly puppy. They see that you’re eating and figure it HAS to be good if you’re eating it. So, Sparky learns to beg. You find it incredibly difficult to resist those eyes and that cute little face, so you share just a little piece. What harm can it do, right? In fact, it can do A LOT of harm. Obesity in our pets has drastically increased in this country. It’s even been estimated that over 25% of dogs are overweight. If a dog’s weight is 20% over what it should be, they’re considered obese. As an example, let’s say Sparky is a Chihuahua whose ideal weight should be about 6lbs. Unfortunately, due to the extra snacking, Sparky weighs 7.2 lbs. For a dog of his stature, he would be considered obese. This puts extra pressure, not only on his spine, knees and other joints, but is also dangerous for his heart, liver, and kidneys. How Big is Too Big? The easiest way to decide is the “bone test.” From Sparky’s shoulders to his hips, feel both sides simultaneously. Your goal is to be able to appreciate each rib with a thin layer of fat over it. The same goes for the shoulders, hips and near the tail. If you can see the bones, the dog is underweight. From the side, you should see an obvious dip where the waist is. From the top, you should be able to see a curve in from the ribs to the waist and then back out toward the hips. If you can’t see or feel the bones, chances are your dog is on his or her way to becoming very unhealthy. How Can You Help? Regular veterinary care is important. Before making any changes to your dog’s diet or starting them on an exercise program, as with humans, always check in with the doctor first. Exercise is key. You have to find a way to keep it fun and have a variety so that you and your dog don’t get bored. Swimming is good because it will not put stress on any joints. Walking on different types of terrain, as done in a hike, is good for them as well. Fetch is always a good standby. If your dog is obese, they are more likely to have trouble breathing or to become overheated more quickly. It’s important to keep an eye on them and to make sure they drink enough water. Changing their food to a high quality food without fillers or even to a diet food will help. Stick to the recommended amount based upon your dog’s weight as noted on the bag. Break that amount into smaller meals. It may seem like more work initially, but you and your dog will both become used to the routine. If you have more than one dog, you should feed them separately if one is overweight so that the dog on the diet doesn’t get overfed. Table scraps are always a no-no. Resist the cute puppy dog eyes! A United Front It is important for the whole family to get involved with your dog’s health. If you do all of the regular feedings, but your daughter, Jenny, feeds Sparky her peas under the table, she is definitely hindering his weight loss progress. You can make a hike, a walk along the beach or an outing to the dog park a family outing. The earlier kids understand about health and how what you eat can and will affect your health, the better off they’ll be. Puppy City has been around for over 50 years, we pride ourselves in being the home for quality puppies for sale in Brooklyn, New York. We also have all of the supplies you will ever need, from dog food, to wee wee pads, to all the treats you will ever need in a lifetime. Visit us at http://www.PuppyCityNY.com
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