Weight gain in dogs
- Author Mark Stimpson
- Published October 23, 2008
- Word count 555
What is Obesity in Dogs?
Weight gain or excessive accumulation of body fat can be defined as obesity. According to some studies, 25%-40% of dogs are either obese or have full chances of becoming obese. By far, the most common nutritional health condition in domesticated animals, especially dogs, obesity is brought upon due to a sedentary and lazy lifestyle.
Lack of proper exercise, just like in humans, and regular intake of calories that far exceed the amount required when energy is not expended, leads to storage or accumulation of fat in your dog affecting pet health. Pet health care is necessary to ensure that your dog get proper exercise routinely. As little as 1% intake of extra calories results in over 25% increase over the required body weight by the time your dog reaches middle age.
As a dog owner, you must realize that pet heath care is of paramount importance and if you sense your dog becoming lazy, has difficulty breathing or can’t walk properly, you must take him to a vet for a proper physical examination. Since obesity can’t be easily detected early on, you may never know that your pet health is at risk until a historical review of the dog’s body weight is carried out.
Causes of Weight Gain in Dogs
Every pet owner must try to find out the real causes due to which their pet health is affected due to weight gain. Typically, weight gain is common for dogs whose owners tend to give more treats to their pets than is healthy. Some pet owners even believe that their lazy dog is a happy and content pooch. So, while for now Fido may be pleased, neither you, the pet owner, nor the canine, will be happy due to pet health care neglect.
Weight gain can be brought on due to a host of reasons. In many cases the sudden increase in weight is a sign of underlying pet health problems such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease among many others. As part of the pet health care routine, it’s crucial that you get your pet evaluated medically and then start to work on reducing the increased weight.
Importance Of Healthy Diet
Reducing the overall food intake is a safer bet than putting the pooch on a diet. The best way to treat weight gain is to reduce the dog’s daily food intake by approximately 25% and spread it out over a long period of time for best pet health. (eg: if you feed your dog 4 cups of food in the evening then spread it out by giving one cup each in the morning, mid afternoon, and evening)
Manufacturers such as Royal Canin and Hills recommend with their lifestage and veterinary exclusive range that a dog be given an exact amount of food every day, calculated on its overall body weight loss required, which must be given a minimum of 3 times day. These manufacturers develop specialist ranges that include products such as Royal Canin Obesity and Hills Prescription diet R/D.
Finally, make sure pet health care is maintained by exercising your plump pal though take care not to work him too hard. Daily walks will lead to gradual weight loss and don’t allow you pet to lose more than 5-8% of his initial weight every month.
If you need further information on pet health, including pet supplies and dog food visit our on line store. We also have a great directory of pet health care articles with information on hundreds of related animal health subjects.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Best Dog Food for small dogs.
- Paris Hilton loves small dogs
- The Gentle Giant: A Look at the Great Pyrenees
- What Are the Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the World
- Dog Grooming Ozone Machines: A Cleaner, Healthier Approach
- Selecting the Perfect Automatic Feeder: A Guide for Large Dog Owners
- The Enchanting World of French Bulldogs: Charismatic Companions with a Unique History
- Lee BonBon: Where Happy Tails Begin with Premium Dog Chew Toys
- Facebook Ads for Dog Training Businesses — Grow your business with effective marketing strategies
- 10 Tips for Feeding a German Shepherd Puppy
- Shining a Light on Cruelty: The Sad Truth Behind Bait Dogs and Ways to Rescue Them
- Should People be Allowed to Keep Pit Bulls as Pets?
- The Science Behind Behavior: Genetic Influences on Samoyed Husky Mix Characteristics
- How to buy a pug puppy
- Dogalooza.com: Your Ultimate Guide to Dog-Friendly Adventures in Tampa Bay
- Best Wet Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs in Large Breeds
- Golden Retriever Puppy Diet: Essential Nutrients for Growth
- Donating Dog Toys To Animal Shelters - A Bigger Change Than You Think
- STAINLESS STEEL VS CERAMIC DOG BOWLS: WHICH IS GOOD FOR YOUR DOG?
- How to Raise a Puppy!
- For Namingo
- Is Your Dog’s Mouth Really Cleaner Than Yours?
- Finding the Right Dog for You
- No Pull Dog Harnesses: What Is It & Does It Work?
- How to Teach Your Dog to Use a Collar and a Leash
- Facts About Pug Puppies
- The Reality Of Dog Training | Why It's vital to think about brain training
- Why Dogs Sigh—An Exploration of Canine Behavior
- Yak Cheese Chews For Dogs - The DELICIOUS Way To Keep Your Pup Busy
- The Benefits of Dog Wet Wipes