As a human are you worried about your weight? Many of us are but often forget that our pets that we love also go through the same weight issues. Did you know that dogs can even suffer from obesity too? Obesity is a lifestyle disease that it has become a significant issue in the household and this flows through to your pets. Anyone and anything can suffer from obesity, even your pets, especially if you’re not aware of what you’re feeding them or if they have become inactive.
Domestic pets like our cats and dogs are prone to growing too fat. Overeating and inactivity are two of the main reasons why pets suffer from obesity. It results in other serious health conditions which if not treated could cost them some of their lifespans. Diabetes, arthritis and an increased risk of disease are just few of the many reasons why you should seriously consider your dog’s condition.
Your Blackwood Vet and Obesity in Dogs
As vets servicing Blackwood we see overweight dogs every day and people often have all sorts of reasons why their pets are in this condition. And yet they often seem to look for an external influence rather than take responsibility for this for themselves.
How do you know if your dog is already obese? His extra fat will show. Normally, a dog suffering from obesity weighs about 10% more than his optimal weight. Only a real veterinarian can really say that your dog may be gaining more weight than he should. However, there are tell-tale signs that can tell you if he is getting too fat. Has his collar gotten a little too tight over the past few weeks? Is he getting heavier and more difficult to carry? These are just a couple of the signs that you will notice as you interact with your dog. More importantly, these signs will tell you that it may be time to get professional help.
Much like it is for humans, dealing with obesity in your dog is all about the need to find a balance. You might think you just need to feed him less than you normally do. This is not necessarily the case. At Familypet Vet we have specialised trained nurses that will help you to get your dog back in shape. This will involve some dedication from you but you can do it. It involves some weigh in sessions with Natasha in Coromandel Valley08 83703500 or Lindsay at Mclaren Vale 08 83238522. They well give you a step by step guide on what to do next. We don’t want you to feel like you are depriving your dog of what they want that will dawn on you, especially when they give that puppy eye look that they’re so good at. Just think about how it would benefit them in the long run.
And then there is the challenge of keeping them active throughout the day. Engage them in physical activities like playing catch or you may take them for a walk every morning around the area where you live. This and the diet will surely bring about significant changes in your dog’s weight. If his body is burning more calories than he is consuming, the chances of you saving him from obesity and the other serious diseases that come with it is very high.
The shift of lifestyle chance must be done today or you will regret it tomorrow. The real challenge after all the extra pounds have been shed off is how to keep them off. Natasha in Familypet vet Coromandel and Lindsay in Mclaren Vale will make sure you can easily keep their target weight by putting them on a maintenance diet. That will keep your dog happy and healthy for longer.
