With a large chest, petite waist and curvaceous legs, the Boxer is the "Marilyn Monroe" of the canine world. Alas, like anyone who indulges too much, the Boxer can quickly "sausage up" after middle age - approximately 5 to 6 years old - or when activity levels decrease. It's important to keep your dog at an optimal weight throughout the dog's lifetime or you will risk the chance of obesity-related disorders, including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or fatty tumors. There are many ways to improve the diet of a Boxer, whose ideal weight should be between 55 to 60 pounds for a female, and 60 to 70 pounds for a male.
Portion Control
The most important consideration for reducing your dog's weight is to become conscious of exactly how much food you are feeding them, and to cut back as much as you feel comfortable with. If you keep the food out all day because your dog is a grazer, try picking up the food after the dog steps away from the dish. This will teach your boxer to eat the food while it's down, and you can more accurately measure the dog's intake. Always check with your veterinarian before changing or reducing your Boxer's diet.
Beggars Aren't Choosers
Boxers are incredibly expressive with their emotions. You can truly tell what's going on by looking into the dog's eyes. A Boxer may use this human-like expression to manipulate the owner into a covert dinner scrap operation under the table. Don't do it. Don't give in to the sad puppy dog eyes of the begging Boxer dog. The dog will live longer without those scraps. It's much better for your dog to be a little underweight than a lot overweight.
Veggie Fillers
Green beans and baby carrots are a nutritious way to add fiber and filler to your Boxer's diet. Green beans are low in calories and they are tasty enough to attract even finicky boxers. Buy fresh green beans or French-cut, frozen green beans and avoid canned green beans, which have a high sodium content, according to Goldstein. When feeding your Boxer, divide the normal portion of dog food in half, and replace one-half with green beans or carrots. For example, if your boxer normally eats three cups of food each day, give your dog one and one-half cups of dog food mixed with one and one-half cups of veggies. Canned pumpkin also adds fiber and texture to your Boxer's diet.
Reduced-Calorie or Senior Food
Most dog food manufacturers make a senior version of their food for the older or overweight dog. These foods replace fat with additional fiber to help your dog feel satisfied. As long as you purchase a premium, high-quality food designed to be nutritionally complete that lists the number one ingredient as meat (not meat by-products), this alone will drop your Boxer's caloric intake considerably. These foods can be safely fed for the long run.
Snacks and Treats
Instead of dipping into the doggy cookie jar and pulling out a bacon-y biscuit or meaty, jerky treat, try making your own healthy chews from sweet potatoes. Simply slice raw sweet potatoes into thin pieces, and place them in a dehydrator or an oven for a few hours until all the moisture has been removed. You can use the same technique to dry baby carrots, peas, squash, apple wedges, or thin slices of melon. These chewy treats are recommended for adding fiber to the diet. When giving your boxer a treat, you can just break off a small piece each time.
The Feel Test
While the scale tells you your dog's weight, veterinarians also use a "feel" test to determine the fitness level or condition of your boxer dog. Run your hands along your dog's rib cage. If you can feel the dog's individual ribs and they are covered by a thin layer of flesh, the dog is considered to be an ideal weight, according to the Vet Info website. If your dog doesn't have an indentation at the waist, and appears to be chunky through the torso, your dog could stand to lose a few pounds.
5 Things to Know about Pet Weight Gain
What to Know About Overweight Pets
Overweight pets are susceptible to greater health problems. Learn what you need to know about your pet's weight here.
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Dismiss any thoughts that it’s cute when Fluffy or Fido gain weight - flabby pets are unhealthy pets. Find out some important facts about the implications of excessive weight as well as treatment options.
1. Getting Bigger and Bigger
Over half of America’s pet cats and dogs are overweight or obese, according to a yearly survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And, while the rate for overweight pets is holding fairly steady compared to survey information from previous years, the number of obese pets is on the rise. Weight problems are a serious and pervasive issue concern for America’s pets.
2. Tough on Health; Tough on Your Wallet
Excessive weight can lead to all sorts of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Extra pounds can also cause or aggravate conditions like arthritis. Overweight pets often have trouble moving around and grooming themselves. Weight problems can lead to an uncomfortable lifestyle for your pet and may even require surgery for associated diseases and conditions. Any weight-related illness is likely to have an impact on your finances as well since pets may require surgery or pricey medications to treat or maintain their standard of living.
3. Making Major Changes to Food or Exercise? Consult Your Vet
Before you make a substantive change to your cat or dog’s exercise level or diet, have a chat with your vet and get advice on how to manage your pet’s weight. You want to avoid shocking your pet’s system with a sudden decrease in food, which can affect your pet’s metabolism or cause tummy troubles. And as with people, too much exercise introduced too quickly, can put stress on your pet’s body and cause injuries and discomfort.
4. Aim for Figure, Not Flab
Get the idea that an overweight pet is adorable out of your head. Your cat or dog should have a visible waist and a rib cage that can be felt when you touch your pet’s sides.
5. It’s a Problem, Not a Treat
Giving your cat or dog treats is so tempting and seems like a great way to express love and encouragement. But just a few treats a day can start to add up in terms of health impact, potentially becoming a significant and unhealthy part of your pet’s diet. Consider limiting the number of treats you give your pet and switching to a healthier variety, if necessary.
How can I get my Boxer to lose weight?
PetMD notes that up to 65% of dogs in the US are obese or overweight, with some breeds being at a higher risk. These include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Beagle, Pug, and Boxer. If your Boxer struggles with weight issues, you can help it lose weight. A brisk walk twice a day is recommended for adult dogs. You can have your Boxer do it thrice a day to help it lose weight. Start with short walks and make sure your pet enjoys being outdoors. Make it fun by switching up the route so that it has new things to explore and new scents to smell. Managing your Boxer’s diet is another way to enable weight loss. According to Michael Hoover, DVM from the University of Missouri-Columbia, feeding human foods to pets leads to obesity. Provide your pet with a balanced diet with proper nutrition according to its needs. Avoid overfeeding or giving it table scraps, as they can add calories and make your pet overweight.
What is the best diet for a Boxer dog?
Prioritize high-quality protein sources when it comes to choosing dog food for your Boxer. These include products with real meat such as beef, chicken, fish, or turkey as the primary ingredient. With these whole protein foods, your Boxer gets essential amino acids that get digested and absorbed easily by its body. Additionally, skip food with fillers like wheat, corn, and by-products. Look for a prescription diet with a weight management formula to help an obese Boxer lose weight. Whether your dog has an ideal weight or is obese, you should consider its age when selecting the best diet. For example, the nutritional needs of a puppy are not the same as those of an adult dog or a senior. You can consult a vet to seek a perfect diet for your Boxer.
Why are Boxer dogs always hungry?
There could be several reasons for your Boxer being always hungry. In many cases, it could be genetic or due to an over-active routine. At times, your Boxer may feel hungry because it does not get the right nutrition or enough of it. Dr Katie Grzyb, DVM with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University, states that the aging process, psychological issues like stress and anxiety, and learned behavior due to overfeeding or underfeeding could cause perpetual hunger in canines. Medications like prednisone could make your pet crave more food. Similarly, medical conditions like diabetes mellitus, cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, Cushing’s disease, and parasites may be responsible for excess hunger.
Why is my Boxer gaining weight?
Dogs become obese due to several reasons, from dietary changes to overeating and lack of exercise. Your Boxer may also gain weight due to hormonal issues such as Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome. When considering the causes of weight gain in your Boxer, try to understand its dietary patterns. You may find a culprit in its food, such as a diet with high calories, low nutrients, or fillers. Maybe you are overfeeding your pet, giving it too many unhealthy treats, or offering it table scraps. Conversely, you may not be keeping it active enough. A thorough assessment by a vet is required to rule out any underlying health issues.
Do Boxer dogs sleep a lot?
You can expect a dog to sleep 12-14 hours a day on average. This means it spends half of the day sleeping. Boxer breed is no exception to this inclination for sleep. It may sleep most soundly at night due to a lack of noise and distractions. However, you may also see it sleeping during the day when no one is around, and nothing is interesting to do. Young boxers tend to sleep even more due to their development needs and energy requirements. Enough sleep is a good thing because research shows that high-fat foods and sleep deprivation may increase the risk of obesity in dogs. Kayla Fratt, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, suggests seeing a vet if your Boxer seems to sleep more than the normal 12-14 hours daily. They may have an underlying disease that should be diagnosed and treated promptly.
Can a dog lose weight by walking?
Walking is a key element of canine fitness and weight loss regimens. Besides a vet-recommended diet, following a regular walking schedule can help your overweight dog shed some of the extra weight. All you have to do is carve out some time to take your pet outdoors daily. A walking harness or a head halter is an ideal walking accessory to keep an overweight dog comfortable during long walks. Also, take it slow and easy to help your pet ease into the new routine. You will gradually see the difference in its stamina and health. Making exercise more enjoyable with other low-impact activities like swimming and play sessions is a good idea.
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