Dog obesity is a common issue most pet owners need to manage and control. As humans, we tend to connect food with happiness and love. Since we wish to convey love to our precious pets, we feed them.
However, this type of love usually ends up being excess calories, causing our dogs to be overweight. Now that you are stressed over your overweight pet, you may be thinking about how you can slim them down. To help reduce your concern, we’ll tackle some easy yet effective suggestions to slim down your obese pet.
How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Overweight pets may look cuddly and very cute, but that extra weight they’re carrying with them is bad for their health. Obese dogs are at risk for severe health problems like decreased liver function, diabetes, skin problems, heart diseases, and cancer. Cancer is not only frightening for humans but also for pets.
Slimming down your overweight pet will save you a trip to pet oncologists should your pet contract cancer. You may browse the web to learn more about vet oncology and what conditions they focus on treating. To prevent all the possible health conditions caused by being overweight, here are five effective canine weight loss tips to get your overweight pet dog in shape.
1. Change treats with veggies
Canines like getting occasional treats. However, many dog treats in pet shops contain a lot of sugar and fat that is not great for your furry buddy’s health. This is why offering veggies as snacks to your pooch is much better than treats. Dog-friendly veggies like green beans, cucumbers, and carrots have great nutritional content and are low in calories. These are a good replacement for treats and a healthier choice to consider as well.
2. Exercise them daily
Take your dog for longer and regular walks, or get them into sports like agility, nose work, or fetch. If the weather condition is not possible for outdoor exercise, doing indoor activities like creating an agility course in the house or playing hide-and-seek is also great. Additionally, you may try canine workouts to enhance your dog’s balance and muscle strength.
However, keep your exercises in moderation to avoid accidents or injuring your furry companion. Contact a vet surgeon immediately if you observe fractures or odd movements in your pet after a rigorous exercise. You may check websites like huntersville.carolinavet.com for more details on the common conditions that may require a vet surgeon’s attention.
3. Measure your dog’s food intake
Measuring your pooch’s kibbles every time you feed them helps you manage their calorie consumption, which can help prevent weight gain. Always use a dry measuring cup to guarantee you give your furry baby the right amount of kibbles they require per meal.
4. Know your pet’s weight and condition from the veterinarian
Each time you take your canine in for a wellness visit, ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pet’s body condition and weight. For example, ask if your dog is too thin, fat, or just right. As soon as the vet tells you your family pet’s body condition, they’ll devise a strategy to preserve your pet’s condition or help them have perfect body weight.
Obesity is a common problem among many species of animals, from reptiles to rabbits. Like felines and canines, reptiles and rabbits need vet care for a much better quality of life. Frequently taking them to an exotic animal veterinarian is necessary to guarantee their health remains in good condition.
If you’re looking to hire animal professionals to have your pet rabbit checked, you may search the web for “rabbit vets near me” for specific results.
5. Feed them a high-protein diet
Not all pet foods have the same amount of ingredients. So if you want your canine to reduce weight, feed them foods high in protein as it’s more filling and keeps their bones and muscles healthy. When choosing a canine food, ensure it does not contain artificial additives or excessive fillers.
