Is Your Dog Overweight?

While veterinarians estimate that more than 40% of all dogs are overweight, research is showing that not all overweight dogs are necessarily overindulging, nor are their masters too liberal with treats or table scraps. There may be medical reasons tto explain why your dog is overweight.

Just as with humans, obesity in dogs creates a predisposition to ailments, both chronic and life-threatening, like diabetes, bone and joint disease, cardiovascular disease, reproductive disorders, skin conditions, and a laundry list of cancers. Obesity is also a major contributor to a shorter life span. And, just as with humans, behavioural changes with diet and exercise can help Scruffy get back to a healthier and longer living condition.

Table food can be healthy for dogs!

When we think of Scruffy getting a treat from the table, we usually think of a nice chunk of steak, or brussel sprouts that the kids didn't want to eat or the burnt pancakes that no one wants to eat. When changing an eating habit, there are three factors to consider: reducing overall intake, increasing fiber, and restricting fats.

While a dog is primarily carniverous (a meat-eating animal), history and research show that Scruffy's ancestors, while meat-eaters, also had their fill of fibers and vegetables from feasting on the remains within the intestinal tracts of their prey. Knowing this helps us to understand that while Scruffy might not be a fan of sitting down to a large garden salad for dinner, he is not altogether adverse to dining on some vegetables.

A diet rich in fiber will help to keep Scruffy's digestive and bowel tract moving, which is a proven method of weight loss and management. Vegetables will provide Scruffy with the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that might not otherwise be available in his dog food.

Exercise does a body good!

Diet is a fine thing, but without exercise it can only do but so much. All dogs need exercise, whether they are overweight or not. Appropriate amounts of exercise will not only help Scruffy to lose weight and maintain his weight loss, but healthy exercise will also help Scruffy get the rest he needs. If Scruffy is a leash pooch, his human can also benefit from a healthy walk or jog!

Whether you're helping Scruffy to shed unnecessary weight by cutting down on treats, starting him on a new diet, or training new eating behaviors, be sure to consult with is veterinarian. Changing a dog's diet abruptly can sometimes harm his digestive processes creating more of a problem. Make sure that once a new regimen is in place you keep the vet informed of any changes in the health or behavior of Scruffy so that the vet can take appropriate measures if Scruffy isn't responding properly or becomes ill.

Given time and patience, Scruffy will be able to slim down to a much healthier weight lessening his chances of developing chronic ailments. Who knows - Scruffy's new diet might help his human get healthier, too!

---