Dog obesity is a common problem most pet parents must manage and control. As humans, we tend to connect food with happiness and love. Given that we want to convey love to our beloved pets, we feed them.
However, this type of love usually becomes excess calories, causing our pets to be overweight. Now that you are worried about your overweight pet, you may be wondering about how you can slim them down. To help alleviate your problem, we will discuss some simple yet reliable pointers to slim down your overweight pet.
Five Tips to Slim Down Your Overweight Pet
Obese dogs may look cuddly and very lovable, but that extra weight they are carrying with them is bad for their health. Obese dogs are at risk for severe health problems like diabetes, decreased liver function, skin problems, heart diseases, and cancer. Cancer is not only frightening for people but also for pets.
Slimming down your obese canine will save you a trip to a pet oncologist should your pet contract cancer. To prevent all the possible health conditions caused by obesity, below are five effective pet weight-loss tips to get your overweight canine in shape.
1. Know your pet’s weight and condition from the vet
Every time you take your canine for a wellness visit, ask your vet to examine your pet’s body condition and weight. For example, ask if your pet is too thin, fat, or just right. As soon as the veterinarian tells you your animal’s body condition, they will make a plan to preserve your pet’s condition or help them have an ideal body weight.
Obesity is a frequent problem among many species of animals, from rabbits and reptiles. Like felines and canines, reptiles and other exotic animals require vet care for a much better quality of life. Therefore, routinely taking them to an exotic animal vet is essential to ensure their health is in good condition. You may visit here to learn more about the conditions they treat.
2. Replace treats with veggies
Pets like getting occasional treats. However, most dog treats in pet shops contain a lot of fat and sugar that is not advisable for your furry buddy’s health. This is why giving veggies as snacks to your pooch is much better than treats. Dog-friendly veggies like cucumbers, green beans, and carrots have rich nutritional content and are low in calories. These are a great replacement for treats and a healthier choice as well.
3. Exercise them daily
Take your canine for longer and frequent strolls, or get them into sports like agility, nose work, or fetch. If the weather condition isn’t possible for outdoor exercise, doing indoor activities like assembling an agility course in the house or playing hide-and-seek is also good. Furthermore, you may try canine workouts to improve your dog’s muscle strength and balance.
However, keep your workouts in moderation to prevent accidents or injuring your furry companion. Contact a vet surgeon quickly if you see fractures or unusual movements in your pet after a strenuous workout. You may check this link to learn more about the services usually offered by pet surgeons.
4. Measure your canine’s food consumption
Measuring your pooch’s kibbles every time you feed them helps you control their calorie consumption, which can help prevent weight gain. Always utilize a dry measuring cup to guarantee you provide your furry baby the correct amount of kibbles they need per meal.
5. Feed them a high-protein diet
Not all canine foods have the same amount of ingredients. So if you want your pet dog to lose weight, feed them foods that are high in protein as it’s more filling and keeps their joints and bones healthy. When choosing a canine food, ensure it does not contain artificial additives and excessive fillers.
