When dogs gain extra pounds, their level of confidence may decrease and/or become uncomfortable in their surroundings; ultimately, dogs will also become energized less when they are overweight. As reported by the American Kennel Club and various assistance groups, being overweight is associated with joint problems, diabetes, and heart problems that ultimately may affect both your dog’s overall quality of life and life expectancy.
These issues also impact daily comfort and energy levels associated with being overweight. Pet owners regularly feed their dogs too much and fail to exercise their dogs on a consistent basis due to busy life styles.
Why Maintaining a Healthy Weight for Dogs is Important
Thus, pet owners have an obligation to maintain their dog’s weight. Furthermore, a dog maintaining a healthy weight provides better functioning within the digestive system which leads to improved overall functioning of the body.
Benefits of Healthy Weight
Organ function is optimized as a result of having proper weight, allowing for maximum immune system function. Dogs will have improved energy levels enabling them to remain active and perform daily activities.
- More active and energetic behavior
- Improved digestion and organ function
- Better immune system performance
- Lower risk of long-term diseases
Health Problems Associated with Obesity in Dogs
Dogs that are overweight may suffer from a range of health problems impacting their everyday living as well as their long-term health. These health problems conditions usually develop slowly over time and may not be readily apparent when first occurring.
Common Health Risks
- Increased risk of both heart and lung disease
Healthy dogs will have increased amounts of playfulness and will be better trained than overweight dogs. Healthy dogs will also experience fewer medical conditions and incur lower veterinary costs than overweight dogs.
How to Identify if Your Dog is Overweight
The ideal dog will have a waist when looking at them from above, and from the side they will have some degrees of ‘tuck’.
Veterinarians currently use body condition scoring systems (BCS) to determine how much a dog weighs.
Signs of Overweight Dogs
- As viewed from above, there is no visible waist
- Cannot easily feel the ribs due to excessive fat covering the ribs
- Reduced mobility and/or reluctance to do any physical activity
- Heavy breathing after performing minimal physical activity
Veterinary Support and Monitoring
For your dog to be in its ideal body condition, you should be routine veterinarian visits should be done frequently to verify what you think. When you have expert approval, it helps to keep your dog in a good weight range, and to ensure that your dog is properly cared for.
Daily Exercise Program For Dogs
Regular short exercise, done on a consistent basis, will benefit your dog’s fitness level more than long exercise. A regular program will keep your dog at an acceptable weight.
What Types Of Exercise Will Keep Your Dog Active?
- Light jogs or runs
- Play interactive games that require your dog to move
The above listed activities will keep your dog’s physical fitness level up and will also help to exercise your dog’s brain. Your dog will have an increased bond with you through regularly-scheduled physical activities with you.
Regularly Scheduling Exercise for Your Dog
Having a regular schedule to keep your dog fit is essential. Keeping your dog healthy is a priority in every pet owner’s mind; However, there are some easy things you can do to help your dog maintain a healthy weight and stay fit.
Simple Habits for Dog Fitness
- Follow a regular feeding schedule
- Enter an exercise routine
- Do not overindulge in treats or snacks
- Weigh your dog regularly
It is also important to create the least amount of stress on both you and your dog in the process. Your goal should be to create habits that you can maintain over a long period of time versus habits that provide immediate gratification.
Long-Term Healthy Habits for Dogs
Doing this will create a stable, happy and prolong your dogs’ life. Caring for your dog has a lot of different aspects, one area that must be maintained routinely is the weight of your dog.
Achieving a balanced routine consisting of good feeding habits, working out regularly and weighing your dog on a consistent basis, will all contribute to gaining weight with success.
Conclusion
Caring for your dog can be as simple as making a change to your diet to create lasting health for your dog. Simply by using caution and making educated choices about how you care for your dog, will eliminate many of the common causes of overweight pets.
Being consistent with your approach will help you create an even longer and more active and happy life for your pet.
