Dogs are extremely popular pets, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association nearly half of the dogs in the US are too heavy. Serving as an image for our culture, American dogs are overeating and getting not enough activity. Beyond the rare occurrence of an genuine underlying medical problem, we as animal owners must take responsibility to increase the health and well-being of our pets. Naturally it's one thing to let yourself go, however when your inaction affects the duration and quality of life for another being it's time for you to do something about it! Let step back to review some basic points concerning canine obesity and what can be done to help our pets lead happier and healthier lives.
How Obesity Affects Your Dog
Most human beings know how obesity can adversely influence their health, and dogs are no different. Although factors lead to the accumulation of weight as time passes, there's no doubt that the impact of that weight can seriously reduce a dog's quantity and quality of life. Complications overweight animals typically face include orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, urinary issues, reproductive problems, neoplasia and many more. Furthermore, once a dog encounters the side effects of these conditions, it becomes even more difficult to keep or even enhance your dog's health. Obviously, the best practice to ensure that your pet continues to behealthy is to prevent gettingheavy in the first place.
How You Can Determine if Your Dog is Over Weight
Determining whether your dog is fat can be difficult, but there are some fundamentals you can use to get a good idea on whether your dog needs some help. Many vets use a 9-point scoring system with the purpose of having your pet rank in the middle of the range with a score of five. A rating of 1 usually means the dog is thin to the point of emaciation while 9 indicates your pet is very overweight. You need to examine your pet using 5 techniques: First, look at the ribs; they should be distinct with a slight quantity of fat. Second, check the base of the tail where there should be a slight amount of fat and rounded; if bones are sticking out you dog is too thin. Third, check out pet's bony prominences like spine and shoulders where there should be a small amount of fat; if you cannot feel the bones your dog is overweight. Fourth, look at your dog from above; ideally he or she should have a distinct waist behind the ribs. Finally, take a look at dog from the side make sure that your pet has a specific abdominal tuck, i.e., the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter than the chest. Generally speaking if your dog is a 7 or above, it's likely that he or she is overweight.
How Did My Dog Become Overweight?
Generally after acknowledging that their dog is obese, most dog owners will then ask themselves how could they have permitted such a condition to develop. Certainly, obesity doesn't develop instantaneously and it is often the reaction to a number of behaviors that build up over time. Feeding habits are generally the most apparent, since many owners either over feed their dog or simply leave the food out, providing a source of almost endless food. Insufficient activity is one more source that typically plays a part in canine obesity. Lastly, health conditions like hypothyrodism, Cushings Disease, Pancreatic Cancer, and pituitary issues can have a dramatic influence on weight gain. There can be many reasons why weight gain happened, but to resolve the problem you must remedy these issues and then begin work on getting your dog's weight down.
Alternatives or Canine Weight Problems
Lots of owners oversimplify the answer to canine obesity by believing that the entire problem can be fixed by simply feeding your pet less, but this is not always successful. Frequently the behavioral changes must be made for not only the pet, but its master, too. Start by restricting access to food, because unrestricted food leads to greater consumption. This also means that as an owner you must plan on feeding your dog at specific times. Next, test whether your pet will eat pet food specially produced for overweight dogs. If so, then consider switching foods. Planning greater levels of activity are necessary, too. For instance, a simple walk to the corner to allow your dog to use the toilet must be lengthened into a longer ramble that will offer the benefit of additional activity. Consider planning play dates for your dog to encourage him to get some exercise outside with his pals. With a bit of commitment and work, you can help your pet get back to a normal, healthy weight.
Canine obesity can happen to every pet, but as an owner it's your obligation to do your best to keep your dog healthy and happy. Use these tips and good luck.
How Obesity Affects Your Dog
Most human beings know how obesity can adversely influence their health, and dogs are no different. Although factors lead to the accumulation of weight as time passes, there's no doubt that the impact of that weight can seriously reduce a dog's quantity and quality of life. Complications overweight animals typically face include orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, urinary issues, reproductive problems, neoplasia and many more. Furthermore, once a dog encounters the side effects of these conditions, it becomes even more difficult to keep or even enhance your dog's health. Obviously, the best practice to ensure that your pet continues to behealthy is to prevent gettingheavy in the first place.
How You Can Determine if Your Dog is Over Weight
Determining whether your dog is fat can be difficult, but there are some fundamentals you can use to get a good idea on whether your dog needs some help. Many vets use a 9-point scoring system with the purpose of having your pet rank in the middle of the range with a score of five. A rating of 1 usually means the dog is thin to the point of emaciation while 9 indicates your pet is very overweight. You need to examine your pet using 5 techniques: First, look at the ribs; they should be distinct with a slight quantity of fat. Second, check the base of the tail where there should be a slight amount of fat and rounded; if bones are sticking out you dog is too thin. Third, check out pet's bony prominences like spine and shoulders where there should be a small amount of fat; if you cannot feel the bones your dog is overweight. Fourth, look at your dog from above; ideally he or she should have a distinct waist behind the ribs. Finally, take a look at dog from the side make sure that your pet has a specific abdominal tuck, i.e., the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter than the chest. Generally speaking if your dog is a 7 or above, it's likely that he or she is overweight.
How Did My Dog Become Overweight?
Generally after acknowledging that their dog is obese, most dog owners will then ask themselves how could they have permitted such a condition to develop. Certainly, obesity doesn't develop instantaneously and it is often the reaction to a number of behaviors that build up over time. Feeding habits are generally the most apparent, since many owners either over feed their dog or simply leave the food out, providing a source of almost endless food. Insufficient activity is one more source that typically plays a part in canine obesity. Lastly, health conditions like hypothyrodism, Cushings Disease, Pancreatic Cancer, and pituitary issues can have a dramatic influence on weight gain. There can be many reasons why weight gain happened, but to resolve the problem you must remedy these issues and then begin work on getting your dog's weight down.
Alternatives or Canine Weight Problems
Lots of owners oversimplify the answer to canine obesity by believing that the entire problem can be fixed by simply feeding your pet less, but this is not always successful. Frequently the behavioral changes must be made for not only the pet, but its master, too. Start by restricting access to food, because unrestricted food leads to greater consumption. This also means that as an owner you must plan on feeding your dog at specific times. Next, test whether your pet will eat pet food specially produced for overweight dogs. If so, then consider switching foods. Planning greater levels of activity are necessary, too. For instance, a simple walk to the corner to allow your dog to use the toilet must be lengthened into a longer ramble that will offer the benefit of additional activity. Consider planning play dates for your dog to encourage him to get some exercise outside with his pals. With a bit of commitment and work, you can help your pet get back to a normal, healthy weight.
Canine obesity can happen to every pet, but as an owner it's your obligation to do your best to keep your dog healthy and happy. Use these tips and good luck.
About the Author:
Angela Schmidt is a dog enthusiast who maintains a dog insurance policy in case of emergency. She endorses pet insurance to reduce unpredicted pet care costs.
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