Preventing and treating obesity in dogs is such a full-rounded approach as the diet, exercise, and regular vet checkups. Here are some expert tips to help manage a dog's weight:
1. Choose a Healthy Diet
High-quality dog food: Natural ingredients, high protein, and fewer fillers like corn and soy. Refer to this balanced dog nutrition guide for more information.
Portion control: Feed your dog based on the recommended guidelines regarding weight, age, and activity level. For more tips, check out this expert advice on dog nutrition.
Treats: Limit treats to not surpass 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake. Some veggie-based treat options include replacing sticks with carrots for fetch or green beans for belly-rubbing sessions. Learn more about general feeding guidelines for dogs.
2. Exercise
General exercise: Your dog's breed, age, and health status determine the walk and playtime required, which ranges from 30 to 60 minutes per day.
Interactive play: Get out fetch, tug-of-war, agility exercises, among other games that will entertain your dogs and keep them active, as well as stimulate their minds with canine intelligence explained.
Adapt the Activity: Depending on breed, some dogs need to exercise more than others. Breeds like the best guard dog breeds may have specific exercise requirements. Consult your veterinarian for a fitting plan.
3. Monitor Weight and Health
Routine visits with the vet: A vet can assess weight changes and can advise on changes in diet or exercise.
Weigh-ins: Weigh your dog at home or in the veterinary office regularly to track his or her weight. Use this calorie calculator for dogs to help manage your dog's weight effectively.
Body Condition Score (BCS): Use the BCS, a vet's benchmark for determining whether your dog is overweight, based on its body shape and structure.
Treat Obesity with Veterinarian Advice
Dietary diets: Your vet may give you veterinary diets that are specifically prepared to help your dog lose weight. You can also explore dog nutrition tips from ASPCA for additional guidance.
Behavior changes: If your dog begs for more of everything that enters that mouth, your vet can give you suggestions for modifying your dog's behavior so that it won't stay begging for food.
Medication (in extreme cases): In extreme cases, vets may put patients on medication while also giving them recommendations to change their lifestyle.
Shying Away from Common Traps
Do not provide table scraps: Human food is usually full of fats and sugars which are detrimental to dogs.
Be age conscious: As dogs age, their metabolism slows down so they need fewer calories. This is especially important for dog breeds with protective behaviors that are naturally active and may require dietary adjustments as they grow older.
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