As you love your dog, you might give them little treats here and there to show how much you care. Unfortunately, all those extra calories will add up over time and cause your canine to gain weight.
While you might think a few extra treats or some leftovers are spoiling your dog, the extra food will damage their health, quality of life, and longevity. If you’ve noticed your dog has piled on the pounds, or their weight affects their health, it’s time to change their lifestyle. Here’s what to do when your dog is overweight.
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Identify the Ideal Weight for Their Breed
The first step you must take is to identify the ideal weight for your breed and then weigh your canine to learn if they match or exceed the amount. Of course, it is important to remember that your dog might be shorter or taller than the standard height description for its breed.
Consult a Vet for Pet Nutrition Advice
Next, take your dog along to a qualified veterinarian for pet nutrition advice. After visiting a Forney veterinary clinic, you will have an in-depth understanding of your dog’s nutritional requirements. Plus, you can introduce a vet’s recommended diet and lifestyle recommendations to help your canine lose weight and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. You’ll not only notice a change in their weight, but your dog will gain more energy, develop a shinier coat, and appear much happier.
Measure Everything
As you might have a hectic life, you might feel tempted to free-pour meals or use a cup to measure food for your dog. However, these tactics can cause you to provide your pet with more calories than they need, which will lead to weight gain.
Following a vet’s recommendations, you should use a measuring device to serve your pet the correct amount of food for their age, size, and breed, as it can help you manage and monitor their portion sizes.
Incorporate More Daily Exercise
A poor diet and a lack of physical activity can cause your dog to gain weight. If your canine is heavier than the recommended size for its breed, incorporating more exercise into its day can help them burn off calories and lose weight.
Increasing their exercise levels doesn’t require your dog to run marathons each day. Regular walks, long hikes, and an opportunity to run safely off the leash could help move their body and shed weight. Also, try to incorporate more physical activity in the home by increasing playtime or buying toys to get your dog’s body moving.
Minimise Daily Treats
If you often provide your dog with one too many treats or table scraps after dinner, it’s time to stop. Food doesn’t equal love. The best way to show your pet how much you care is to minimise treats throughout the day and avoid serving leftovers and scraps.
If you often use treats during training, pick up low-fat, low-calorie options to help your dog lose and maintain a healthy weight. While it might feel difficult saying no at first, you’ll feel less guilty when they develop a healthier, happier, and more energetic body.
