What You Can Do To Combat Your Dog’s Obesity

If you think that your dog might need to lose some weight, there is a fairly easy way to tell. Have your dog stand and try to feel their ribs. If you cannot feel them easily, then your dog needs to lose some weight. Fortunately, if your dog is overweight, there are a number of things that you can change for a healthier lifestyle.

Consult Your Vet

If you have an overweight dog, it’s likely that your vet has mentioned it. Even if he or she has not, it’s a good idea to make appointment to see your vet to discuss your dog’s weight loss regimen. Your vet can tell you how much weight your dog should lose and give you recommendations on food and exercise.

Fix the Food

The first thing that you need to do is cut out the treats and table scraps, and you need to make sure that your whole family is on board. If anyone resists, tell them that a slimmer dog will live longer than an overweight one. You also want to schedule your dog’s feeding. Having food available all the time can lead to obesity. So limit your dog’s meals to two to three times a day and take the food up after 30 minutes if there is any left. This will teach your dog to eat at mealtimes.

Get Off the Couch

In addition to improving your dog’s diet, you want your dog to exercise more. This can mean more games of fetch,Combat Your Dog’s Obesity more walks, or more visits to the park. Walking is good exercise for both you and your dog. You don’t want to overextend yourself at first, and you can start with walks that are as short as a quarter of a mile. Build up to longer walks over time and be sure to walk several times a week.

Many vets will let you run in and use their scale, and this can be convenient when you are tracking a large dog’s weight loss. If you have a smaller dog, you can weigh yourself on your scale at home and then weigh yourself while you’re holding your dog. Then you take the difference between the two weights to see how much your dog weighs. Helping your dog to lose weight can result in a longer, happier life for your canine friend.