March 13th, 2011
Health Issues for an Overweight or Obese Dog
Is your dog overweight? Did you know that if your dog is 30% above his normal weight, he is considered obese? Do you realize that by allowing your dog to become overweight, he may be facing serious health issues? Like people, extra pounds put additional stress on every organ in the body and the consequences can manifest in sickness and in worst case death. Some of these health issues include:
- heart disease and diabetes,
- difficulty breathing,
- decreased stamina,
- digestive problems,
- joint, bone and ligament damage
- skin and coat problems,
- increased risk of cancer;
- and, decreased quality and length of life.
If your dog is heading in this direction, we hope this is a wake-up call. Obesity is one of the easiest things to reverse and control. Here are some suggestions:
- Look at the food your feeding. First, make sure it’s healthy, and second, look at the fat content. Consult with your local holistic pet food store for healthy, low-fat options.
- Give your dog more effective exercise. If your dog is unable to run or walk a distance, consider swimming. Warm water swimming especially is a great way to give your dog high quality exercise with minimal stress on the body.
- Change the type of treats you give your dog. Instead, give him vegetables such as carrots or celery.
- Add vegetables to his meals. Chop up vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, spinach, etc. Vegetables add bulk with minimal calories, making your dog feel full, while not adding to his weight problem.
- Ignore his “sad eyes” pleas for treats! Many dogs willingly want to eat all the time, but definitely don’t need to.
Try some of these suggestions to get your dog to the weight he should be. The result will be a happier, healthier dog, and a happier you – and he will love you just as much, if not more.
