Dog obesity is a common problem most pet owners must manage and control. As humans, we tend to connect food with happiness and love. Since we wish to convey love to our precious pets, we feed them.
However, this type of love usually ends up being excess calories, causing our pets to be overweight. Now that you’re worried about your overweight pet, you may be wondering about how you can slim them down. To help ease your concern, we’ll walk you through some simple yet efficient suggestions to slim down your overweight pet.
How to Help Your Pet Lose Weight
Obese canines may look cuddly and very cute, but the excess weight they are carrying with them is not good for their health. Overweight canines are at risk for severe health issues like diabetes, decreased liver function, skin problems, heart problems, and cancer. Cancer is not only scary for people but also for pets.
Slimming down your obese canine will save you a trip to pet oncologists should your pet contract cancer. You may click here for detailed info about pet oncology professionals and what they do. To prevent all the possible health conditions caused by being overweight, here are five effective dog weight loss tips to get your overweight pet in shape.
1. Feed them a high-protein diet
Not all pet foods have the same amount of ingredients. So if you want your canine to drop weight, feed them foods high in protein as it’s more filling and keeps their joints and bones healthy. When choosing a canine food, ensure it does not contain artificial additives or excessive fillers.
2. Measure your dog’s food consumption
Measuring your pooch’s kibbles every time you feed them helps you manage their calorie consumption, which can help prevent weight gain. Always utilize a dry measuring cup to ensure you give your furry buddy the correct amount of kibbles they require per meal.
3. Exercise them daily
Take your dog for longer and frequent strolls, or get them into sports like nose work, agility, or fetch. If the weather condition isn’t possible for outdoor exercise, doing indoor activities like creating an agility course in the home or playing hide-and-seek is also good. In addition, you might try canine workouts to improve your pet’s balance and muscle strength.
However, keep your workouts in moderation to avoid accidents or injuring your beloved pet. Contact a vet surgery professional instantly if you suspect fractures or strange movements in your pet after a rigorous exercise.
4. Know your pet’s weight and condition from the veterinarian
Each time you take your pet in for a wellness visit, ask your vet to evaluate your pet’s body condition and weight. For example, ask if your dog is too thin, fat, or ideal. As soon as the vet informs you of your pet’s body condition, they’ll formulate a plan to maintain their weight or help them have perfect body weight.
Obesity is a usual issue amongst many species of animals, from rabbits and reptiles. Like dogs and cats, reptiles and other exotic animals need vet care for a much better quality of life. Frequently taking them to an exotic animal veterinarian is necessary to ensure their health is in good condition.
Websites like huntersville.carolinavet.com provide comprehensive details about exotic pet vets and what type of animals they usually treat.
5. Change treats with veggies
Dogs love getting occasional treats. However, numerous dog treats in pet shops contain plenty of sugar and fat that is not good for your furry buddy’s health. This is why giving veggies as snacks to your pooch is much better than treats. Dog-friendly veggies like green beans, cucumbers, and carrots have great nutritional content and are low in calories. These are an excellent replacement for treats and a healthier option to consider as well.
