5 Ways To Prevent Your Dog From Getting Obese

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One of the worst problems of our generation is the rising number of obesity cases. Be it lifestyle or any ailment, obesity has become a serious threat to our health. Like us, animals like dogs suffer from some common ailments and one of them is obesity. In pictures and videos, they may look cute, but in real life they are suffering from a disease that must be treated. If you feel that your dog is getting obese, then are 5 ways to prevent it from happening:

1. Check weightEvery week or twice a month, check your dog’s weight. Having the ideal weight is a sign that your dog is in perfect shape. If you can feel the ribs, then it means your dog is too skinny. If the flap of flesh feels too much in the hand, it means your dog is getting fat. A weight check-up can be done at the vet or at home.
2. ExerciseThe best way to stay fit and avoid obesity is through exercise. Make your dog rum around at least once every day. Sitting around and doing nothing increases the chances of obesity.
3. DietIf you give your dog food that has been recommended by a vet, then there no need to change it. However, if you are providing home-cooked or any other food purchased from the market, then you should make a list of the number of calories and the type of nutrients that your dog is eating.
4. WaterWater works like magic when it comes to weight loss and shedding extra fat. Many doctors prescribe water as the ideal medicine for losing weight. If you feel that your dog is getting obese, take him for a walk after he has gulped down enough water. You will see the result in a week or two.
5. Regular check upsA living thing is prone to disease and ailments. Your dog’s obesity may not always be due to laziness. It may also arise from illness. Dogs who suffer from ailments often lose interest in exercise and physical activity. As a result, they become fat. If you see signs of sickness in your dog, take him to a vet. Also, keep visiting the vet for regular checkups.

Obesity is a big problem and even dogs can escape the disease. Obesity in dogs can be avoided by following the 5 tips given above.

Is your Dog Obese? This is what You Should be Feeding them

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of the dogs in the United States are overweight. As dogs are a part of our family, we love to pamper them as much as possible. We often give them food such as pizzas, chips, fried chicken, and more so that we won’t feel bad when we eat in front of them. Even if it isn’t in large quantities, it can impact the overall health of our canine friends.

How to know whether your dog is obese?

To know whether your dog is obese, run your fingers around its spine and ribs. Is it hard to feel both? When you look at your dog, do you see a waist between the hips and ribs? Does its tummy tuck in from the rib cage to its thighs? If your answer is yes for all, your dog is obese.

What to feed an obese dog?

With the right amount of exercise and the correct types of food, you will be able to make your obese dog fit again. When it comes to exercise, you know what should be done to make them lose weight. However, you need to feed it food that is low in fat which will complement its daily exercise. Vets often recommend speciality food products like the Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Dog food to supply the right nutrition without the caloric intake. Here are four types of food you can feed your obese dog.

1. Egg whitesThe majority of the calories and fat are in the egg yolk. By feeding your canine egg whites, it will get the same amount of protein minus the fat and calories. You need to either cook the egg or supplement it with Vitamin B. This is because raw egg whites without yolk can decrease biotin over time.
2. Fruits and vegetablesFruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, papayas, beans, broccoli, and celery, to name a few are low in calories but high in fiber, minerals, and vitamins. If your canine eats processed fatty foods, it will take time for the digestive system to get used to fruits and vegetables. To smoothen the transition, you can boil the vegetables and puree it in a blender before adding it to your canine's food.
3. Low-fat meatOne- half of your canine’s diet should consist of low-fat meat such as chicken, turkey, buffalo, goat, and venison. You should remove the skin and any visible fat from the meat to make it healthy. To make sure the meat has low amounts of fat, cook it by boiling. Skimming the fat off the meat broth is another effective method to keep the fat content to a minimum.
4. SupplementsIf you want to ensure that your dog receives all the right vitamins and minerals, complement its food with supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and l-carnitine. They will encourage weight-loss and improve your canine’s overall health. If you want to know more about which supplements need to be taken by your canine, visit the vet.

By adding the above to your dog’s diet, you will be able to cut down on the fat intake. If you have any doubts about what you feed an obese dog, leave a comment below.