| Obesity is on the rise for canines. The | | | | Instead, fill their need for attention with |
| reasons for this influx are similar to those | | | | games, petting and playing or get a new toy |
| that humans experience, too much food and too | | | | or go for a walk. Habits are hard to break, |
| little exercise. The results of obesity are | | | | so here are few tips to help you. Do not |
| similar for your canine friends too. Studies | | | | leave food out all day. Set a schedule and a |
| reveal that 25% of overweight dogs experience | | | | location to eat. One meal per day (or two |
| severe joint problems. This effects their | | | | small ones) is all that a dog needs. Also, |
| daily activities such as walking, standing | | | | one day each week with no food will help burn |
| and sitting. It also increases pain and makes | | | | excess fat which they have stored in their |
| jumping up or down off the bed difficult. If | | | | bodies. Dogs are trained in behavior. If they |
| a dog is overweight its lungs cannot function | | | | beg at the table and someone gives them food, |
| properly- the extra fat pushes against the | | | | they learn that begging results in getting |
| lungs and diaphragm and makes breathing more | | | | what they want. To help change this pattern |
| difficult. Carrying extra weight decrease | | | | feed your dog before you eat and keep them in |
| ability to preform daily activities. It takes | | | | another room while you have dinner. After, |
| more work to do everything. Body systems have | | | | take them out for a walk or to play a game so |
| to do more than they were designed for | | | | they feel loved and get the attention they |
| because extra weight places strain on the | | | | need. Once new patterns have been decided |
| heart, muscles and respiratory system. | | | | upon make sure everyone in the family is on |
| Because being overweight causes daily tasks | | | | board. Otherwise someone might feel "sorry" |
| to be more difficult and causes more pain, | | | | for the begging dog and give them "just a |
| dogs can become more irritable. Dogs who are | | | | little something" and this will slow down or |
| overweight have a shorter life span and a | | | | prevent your dog's weight loss, especially if |
| lower quality of life. However, there are | | | | that "little something" is every day. Meet as |
| several things that a pet owner can do to | | | | a family to discuss the need for changes in |
| help their animals shed the pounds and live a | | | | your dog's diet and how your animal will be |
| longer, happier life. | | | | effected if you don't. This will help |
| | | | everyone understand why and help them keep |
| Assessing Your Dog | | | | the new rules. |
| | | | |
| One way to get an idea if your dog is | | | | Excercise |
| overweight is by checking their ribs. The | | | | |
| ribs should not be visible as they stand, but | | | | The enthusiasm for new changes might cause |
| still detectable when you touch them or when | | | | over doing exercise at first, but it is |
| they move (such as jumping in the air to | | | | important not to do this. Start slowly, for |
| catch a Frisbee). If you cannot feel your | | | | just a few minutes a couple times a day. This |
| dogs ribs, they are probably overweight. The | | | | will be sufficient at first and then you can |
| first and for most important measure though, | | | | slowly increase their activity. Encourage |
| is to take your dog to their veterinarian. | | | | your dog to move around the house with you. |
| Your dog should be seen on a yearly basis for | | | | Movement frequently and throughout the day is |
| a routine check up. One reason why visiting | | | | essential. If you take your dog out for a |
| your veterinarian is so important is that | | | | hard run to get him "in shape" it might do |
| some dogs do not look overweight. Large dogs | | | | more harm than good. Especially when no |
| can especially hide weight well. Your | | | | exercise has been implemented in his routine |
| veterinarian will be able to decide if your | | | | before. A nice, leisurely walk is sufficient |
| dog is overweight and why. To help your | | | | each day and then a couple of times a day as |
| veterinarian keep a record of what you are | | | | directed by your veterinarian. Another way to |
| doing with your dog before you go. Record | | | | get movement is by playing games with your |
| your dogs patterns such as sleeping, eating | | | | dog. As your dog increases in strength and |
| and exercise. In some cases weight issues | | | | endurance playing fetch is fun for the dog |
| might be due to medical conditions, such a | | | | and helps them get in more activity. Follow |
| thyroid problems, verses overeating and under | | | | your veterinarian's plan and keep |
| exercising. | | | | appointments. This is especially important if |
| | | | the weight loss is significant. |
| Feeding | | | | |
| | | | Loving your pet is doing what is best for |
| Dog's have a strong need for affection. One | | | | them. Increasing their activity and reducing |
| reason dogs overeat is that pet owners use | | | | their treats and table scraps will help them |
| food as an easy way to show their affection. | | | | become their ideal weight. Your dog will move |
| It is not recommended to do this. Using food | | | | easier and breath lighter and you can sleep |
| as a means of reward trains your dog to seek | | | | better knowing their health is on the right |
| food for affection. This adds to their weight | | | | track. |
| gain and all the other associated problems. | | | | |