Diet: Why a Healthy Weight Matters for Canines


Pet weight- it's a big deal! Not only will your pet's weight affect your pocket book in the way of veterinarian bills, but it also plays a huge role in the quality of life your pet is living. According to a 2016 survey by The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54% of all dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese and 93% of pet guardians thought their dog's weight was normal. How I read that statistic is that a lot of humans out there have an overweight dog and think their dog is normal. So how can you tell if your dog is at a healthy weight?
  • Feel your dog's spine and ribs. If you are having difficulty feeling the spine and ribs, Fido is overweight. 
  • From a side view, a dog's stomach should be raised. It should not be sagging.
  • From an upward view, you should be able to see a "waist", an inward curve, between the back of the ribcage and the hips.  
Having an overweight dog greatly affect their health: They have a shorter life expectancy, there is tremendous stress on the joints leading to injury and arthritis, a greater risk of heat stroke, hip dysplasia, respiratory problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, Kidney and liver disease. Basically, the list goes on and on... If that does not persuade you, maybe your pocketbook will-- vet bills are not cheap.

If you have determined that your beloved four-legged family member is indeed overweight, the first step you need to take is a vet visit to rule out any metabolic disorders or other health problems. Once those are ruled out, it's time to put your dog on a DIET. 😩 You must first look at the "whats" and "how muchs" of your dog. Are you feeding your dog too much food? The wrong kind of food? Too many treats? Maybe your dog isn't getting enough exercise? Research, research, research and then develop a plan of how to get from the current weight to the ideal weight. Remember, each breed and gender will have different weight ranges for healthy. It is also important to take it slow. We aren't talking about a crash diet of quick weight loss. This will only add stress to your canine. One step at a time is key:

Proactive steps towards a healthy weight:
  • Cut down portion size little by little until you reach an appropriate portion size. 
  • Use an actual measuring cup. Not just a random scoop or drinking cup out of your cupboard OR the ol'-dump-the-food-into-the-bowl-straight-from-the-bag technique (Big no!)
  • Cut back on treats and no table scraps. Any treats should be given for a deliberate reason (as in training good behavior). Choose your treats wisely: fruits or vegetables, low fat dehydrated meats with no additives are all good for training. Remember: some fruits or veggies can be toxic to your dog, click here to find out the good/ bad fruits and vegetables. 
  • Don't leave food out. Free feeding your dog is a big "no-no". Have designated meal times at the same time every day. If your dog doesn't eat all of the food, take it away after 15 minutes. Small meals several times a day is key. It helps keep Fido's blood sugar steady, which in turn makes the body less like to store extra calories. 
  • Choose the right food! Kibble is notorious for being high in carbohydrates. Please choose a high quality pet food that is high in protein and low in grains. Also remember that each breed of dog has a different nutritional requirement. So you must be diligent and do your research on what kind of food is appropriate for your breed. 
If you take the above steps in a slow, but steady progress towards a set goal, you and your dog should have a happy, healthy life with new adventures waiting around the corner! 💕

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