there is still a quiet gloom hanging around the house this morning because of yesterday's Blue drama. I obviously get attached way to quickly! I was mulling over it all in my head and suddenly remembered chatting to the vet about dog weight.
I asked her if she thought that Salvador was at a good weight - now that his hair is short, one can get a much better idea - and she said he is definitely on the porkier side of thin. I wasn't shocked and freaked at all. I knew that moving him from the farm to the city was going to be a challenge in terms of getting him the huge amount of exercise that he was accustomed to and needs, so I've looked into other ways than merely focusing on that to also make sure he doesn't gain too much.
I've been very clear from the start on the subject of owning a dog that is not overweight and I'm not afraid to take the necessary steps to insure this, yet I know so many people that struggle with this issue.
Growing up, our dogs' food bowls were always full. My mom didn't believe in rationing their food, being of the school of thought that they would eat when they are hungry. Now, whether your dog will stop eating when he's full or not is very much personal (once again proving that your dog is more like you than you thought). The biggest problem is perhaps YOU!
How many times have you watched one of those reality shows about the severely obese and their carers, who often turn out to be as much part of the problem as the actual over eating, just to say something like "he/she is enabling the eating". Meanwhile Scruffles is lying under your feet, struggling to breath due to all the extra rolls around his neck ?
Fact #1: Your dog can only eat as much as you feed him.
It is your responsibility to figure out how much your dog should be eating. Dietary guides on the back of food packets can be tricky to get right as there are many factors that come in to play. Working dogs, puppies and pregnant females should be getting more food than is prescribed and remember, just because you own a dog with the word 'hound' audible in its name or just because your dog brings you the newspaper in the morning, does not mean it is a 'WORKING' dog...think hard labor people!
To get a rough estimate of how your dog weighs in, follow this link to a calculator and also take a look at this great diagram I found.
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| From http://www.aplaceforpaws.com/blog/canine-obesity-a-huge-problem |
Overweight dogs are at risk of suffering from diseases very similar to those that an obese human would suffer from. You don't want this for your best pal! Here are a few of the common things your dog might suffer from if he is on the chubbier side of plump:
- Heart disease
- Respiratory issues
- Diabetes
- Cancers
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiopulmonary disease
If this worries you, start sorting our his diet today. Your vet can help you by calculating the right amount of food he should be having or suggesting a special diet.
Fact #3: There's no point trying out that new diet if your not going to try out the exercise program with it!
Keeping your dogs' weight in check is simple. EXERCISE! Any old exercise will do and your dog will love you for it!
As dog owners we all want the best for our besties and that sometimes involve turning a blind eye to those cute little needy eyes, subtly demanding a little nibble of something. We will all have to toughen up!
Licks & Kisses!
xxx
Just like with us, humans, the problem is two much calories in versus not enough calories out. Overfeeding the dog is so easy – we like indulging them. Who does not enjoy piling on general scoops in their bowls? I am myself guilty of providing endless snacks and treats on demand, persuaded by the cute faces and noises my dog makes. And strenuous exercise for the dog is just not that easy to incorporate in the daily routine, mostly because it would include a fair amount of moving for us as well. We have to find a way though, if we are genuinely concerned about their well-being.
ReplyDeleteElvira Mullins @ Anne Nelson Vets