Weight Gain in Dogs
Your dog’s diet is an essential part of keeping your dog both healthy and happy. Dog’s who are overweight run a significantly higher risk of developing a multitude of health problems, and are usually less active and live a lower quality of life. It is your responsibility as a parent/owner to make sure your dog is healthy and happy. Improving your dog’s diet is an easy way to ensure your dog the best life you can provide.
Overweight dogs suffer from a plethora of health issues ranging in severity from joint soreness and muscle pains to heart disease. Because of all the extra weight obese dogs carry around with them, they have added stress upon their joints, bones, and muscles. Bones are more likely to break in accidents because they have been worn down over a long and steady timeline. Muscles are overworked from carrying the extra weight, and as a result are more apt to strain or sprain. Joints deteriorate due to the extra pressure and can cause Osteoarthritis in younger dogs, and early hip dysplasia. Both joint diseases can severely affect your dog’s quality of life. But improving your dog’s diet and nutrition plan can stop reverse these problems.
The most glaring and dangerous problem linked to poor dog diet and nutrition is heart disease. If your dog is not in good shape and exercising regularly they run the risk of being affected by heart disease. Heart disease is a very common and devastating sickness affecting dogs today. Get your dog off the floor and take them for a walk, play catch, or go running together. Who knows you might just cut down on your own waistline and improve your own cardiovascular health. Even if you only have 15 minutes, both you and your dog could benefit from a little exercise. Exercising together is also a great way to bond and establish control in a playful environment.
So how do you know if your dog overweight? The best way to gauge whether or not your dog is in good health is by seeking the advice of a professional. What type of professional? Your vet! When you take your dog in for a checkup, shots, or to have a tic removed ask them what their opinion is of your dog’s weight and cardiovascular health. There are also a few techniques that you can use at home to check your dog’s weight in between visits.
1. Check your dogs’ ribs.
a. Can you count them through by feeling their torso?
b. If not your dog is overweight.
c. If you can count them just by looking your dog is too thin.
2. All dogs should have a waist.
a. The waist should indent from behind the ribs down to their legs.
b. You should be able to see a clearly defined waist in this area.
If after running these two tests you determine that your dog is overweight, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to help you come up with a diet plan to get your dog back to a healthy weight.