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Obesity is, in the case of humans, an evident concern around the world, not only in terms of physical health, but also a concern in terms of aesthetics.
Interestingly, many dog handlers do not consider their pets' overweight to be a concern, as they find it an adorable and sweet trait. Thinking that way is a serious mistake.
It is very important that a dog maintain an optimal weight level for its size, breed and age. Otherwise, cardiovascular problems may arise, they are more likely to develop hereditary diseases and their physical condition and activity are compromised. Stay informed and find out how to treat canine obesity.
Canine Obesity Symptoms
Identifying an obese dog is easy as it demonstrates a bulging belly, inappropriate for its constitution. Keep in mind that, in a dog at its ideal weight, it is possible to see its ribs slightly and notice a deviation towards the pelvic region.
Dogs with this problem have a very sedentary behavior and they tend to be lying down or inactive around the house, without revealing a desire to go out and walk around, and in some cases, when they sleep, they snore. There are few behaviors as unnatural as this on the part of a dog. In addition, they also experience a constant hunger sensation which results in anxiety, creating behavior dependent on who feeds them.
Finally, it is important to highlight that obese dogs have an average life expectancy much lower than other pets, and can develop all kinds of respiratory diseases, diabetes, pancreatitis and even heart attacks. If you care about your puppy, keep in mind that it is very important that he is 100% healthy.
How to Avoid Dog Obesity
in order to prevent obesity in dogs, it is very important that they receive the fair amount of food necessary for their weight and size. When the tutor fails in this task, it may be giving rise to an onset of obesity. Go to your trusted veterinarian if you have questions about the food you give your dog, he will advise and suggest different types of diet.
Some advice on diet for canine obesity
- Calculate the ration your dog needs and divide it into two or three dosages to reduce the feeling of hunger.
- Always try to stick to the same meal times.
- Change your diet on a regular basis, alternating rations with homemade diets and wet food.
- Do not offer too many treats. If you're trying to train your dog, it's important that you only use them once in a while, otherwise you won't obey when you don't have anything for him.
- Make sure your pet always has fresh, clean water at his disposal to reduce the feeling of hunger.
- Don't give in to your food orders. You must be responsible for the dog, offer the food in its defined doses.
How to make an obese dog lose weight
In addition to feeding, it is very important that your puppy remains active and fit according to his age. the binomial sport-food is the healthiest way to maintain a vital organism, and this rule can be applied to dogs or people. Physical exercise, combined with diet is the best way to make a dog lose weight.
It doesn't matter if you have an elderly dog, he can also do activities to keep himself in shape with specific exercises for him.
A good exercise option is the canicross, a sport that consists of the tutor and the dog running together, connected through a specific leash for the practice. However, it is not necessary to take the exercise with the animal to this point. Just take good daily walks and exercise sessions with him during the weekends.
Some advice on exercise:
- Avoid hot hours, especially in long-haired, large-build types of dogs.
- Try to stay informed about different activities to spend time with your dog.
- Never let the dog exercise if he has just eaten, the combination of food and exercise can cause a deadly stomach twist for your pet.
- Observe the dog's attitude when playing sports. If necessary, let it rest when you need it.
- Try to have fun with the dog, take some time and cuddle while exercising.
- If you're not a sportsman, you can go to the countryside or the beach. The dog will exercise alone while you walk calmly.
Also check out this video to find out 5 sports with dogs:
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dog obesity: how to treat, we recommend that you enter our Prevention section.