Helping Your Obese Dog Slim Down
By Wayne Booth
Just like humans, dogs can get fat. But unlike people, it's not something that your dog has much say over. If you are feeding your pet big meals and letting him lie around the house all day, he will get fat. And, as your pet gets older, his weight gain can become even more noticeable as he loses energy and looks for food more often.
If you want to help your dog live a long and healthy life than you need to help him lose that extra weight. Obesity drastically increases a dog's risk of cancer, diabetes, and organ failure as he ages. Start when your pet is young and you can reduce the risk of disease throughout his life.
Step One: Food Intake
The first thing you should do for your dog is take charge of his diet. In most cases obesity is simply due to a dog being fed too much each day. Veterinarians suggest feeding the following amounts for your dog, based on their weight:
� Less than 10 pounds: Feed 1/3 to 1 cup of food per day
� 10-25 pounds: Feed 1-2 1/4 cups per day
� 25-50 pounds: Feed 2-3 cups per day
� 50-75 pounds: Feed 3-5 cups per day
� Over 75 pounds: Feed 5-8 cups per day
These measurements are for dry food and the weights given are for normal, healthy animals. If your dog is already overweight or obese, you should take into consideration what a healthy dog for your dog's breed should weigh.
You can start cutting out your dog's extra food by feeding your dog two meals per day. Split his recommended food amount into two meals. Some people like to put down the dog's ration once a day and keep filling the bowl throughout the day but that's the best way in the world to make your dog obese. Instead, feed your dog two smaller meals per day and carefully measure the amounts you put in the bowl.
You should also cut out unnecessary treats and table scraps. Treats are fine as a training tool but you shouldn't give them to your dog continuously. It's okay to give your dog one or two treats per day but if you keep giving your dog treats all day they will add pounds to your dog. Table scraps add weight, too.
Step Two: Exercise
Ask anyone who's been on a diet and they will probably tell you that it's not enough to eat less. They also have to add some exercise to lose weight. It's the same way with your dog. Luckily, most dogs enjoy exercising.
Unless your dog is elderly or he's lost his energy, he will probably enjoy getting out to go for a walk or run. But you must give your dog the opportunity! Your dog may sit around the house all day, but don't assume that he doesn't want to go out and get some exercise. You have to go outside with him and give him the chance to exercise.
If you don't have a chance to go out, then spend time playing with your dog indoors. Play some games. Play fetch with your dog and teach your dog to chase some toys through the house. If you have a small dog then you won't even have to get up when you play fetch with him.
Even if you have a dog with a low energy level, often times when you start making changes in your dog's diet you will start to see some changes in their level of energy. If you take them outdoors after you change their diet, you may see that your dog is more alert and energetic. Your dog may feel like playing again.
Do keep in mind that if your dog is very overweight or obese, or unhealthy in any way, that you should talk to your veterinarian before making changes to your dog's diet or undertaking any kind of fitness regimen with your dog. You want to make sure that you aren't putting any undue stress on your dog's body with the changes you want to make. Your vet can give you some good advice.
Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists, http://www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com in Nashville, TN where he helps people train their dogs and solve behavior problems. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of the Canine Behavior Specialists Network, http://www.K9-University.com.
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