Combating Pet Obesity

Just as the average size of humans continues to grow larger, the average size of our pets are growing too.  Even though your pooch probably loves table scraps and may snag a snack off the counter when you’re back is turned, he probably isn’t the one responsible for his weight gain.  In most cases, owners are to blame for the weight of their furry friends.

There are many reasons why a dog may become obese, and the reasons are not too different from why humans are becoming obese.  The formula for gaining weight is simple: the more you eat (especially of the wrong foods) and the less you exercise, the more weight you will gain.  The same is true for your pet.

So, why is your beloved dog putting on the pounds?  First, let’s start with his diet.  Are you feeding him dog food or human food?  There’s a reason why dogs need to have dog food: their dietary requirements are much different than those of humans.  Yes, your pooch probably loves anything you give him from your dinner table, but that does not mean that the food compliments his body and his requirements in any way.  Stick to dog food, then a snack here or there won’t hurt him.

Second, what do his portions look like?  You could be feeding him the best dog food out there.  However, if the portions are wrong, then you will still see negative results.  As a start, look on the back of the food bag for serving suggestions.  Then, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, especially if there are no suggestions on the bag.  Your vet can tell you exactly how much and when you should be feeding your dog.  If your pooch is already overweight, then the vet can start him on a healthy, weight loss plan.

The third reason your dog may be gaining weight is due to the lack of exercise.  Just like humans, dogs need to exercise to burn calories and stay healthy.  If your pet sits on your couch all day, then watches television with you all night, he’s probably not in appropriate physical condition.  At the very least, you should let your dog out to run and stretch his legs once a day.  Ideally, you should go on half hour walks twice a day, and build up to jogs and runs.  If you don’t like jogging or running, then get creative!  A game of catch and Frisbee can work wonders for your pet’s physical condition.  Getting your pet fit can also get you fit.  But remember, an out-of-shape dog is no different than an out-of-shape human: you have to start slowly and build up your pet’s physical stamina.

As humans get larger, so do their pets.  There are many reasons why a pet may be gaining weight, but it really comes down to consuming more calories than what’s being burned.  It’s up to you to figure out what’s causing the weight gain and how you can combat it.  Your veterinarian is probably more than familiar with pet obesity, so seek advice from him or her before you start your get-your-pooch-in-shape routine.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 at 07:23 pm and is filed under Dogs, PetStrong. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.