by Karsten Broderlynn
Uh oh, round hounds are taking over the world! Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but dog obesity has definitely become a major problem. Don’t believe me? All you have to do is ask your veterinarian and they will tell you that 25% (if not more) of the dogs that they treat are over-weight.
Though you may think your heavy hound is cute, extra pounds on your pooch can only lead to trouble. Dogs that carry extra weight tend to have health issues such as joint and hip problems (such as arthritis), heart disease and diabetes. Extra weight can also shorten your dog’s life and that is just plain sad!
Fortunately, it’s probably not too late to come to your pet’s rescue. Step 1: commit to stop feeding your pup from the table! Yes, he loves table scraps and begs pitifully with those big sad eyes, but you have to be the grown up and do what is best for your pet rather than what’s easiest. Human food is often not healthy for your dog. Though most human foods won’t directly harm him, it’s better to stick with foods that are designed for his digestion, fed to him on a schedule and in regulated portions.
Remember that some ingredients in our food are difficult for a dog to digest and may even run the risk of causing serious health issues. Chocolate, onions, raisins, garlic, hot peppers, grapes and salt (in excess) can all cause problems from minor to serious. Your best bet is to show a little tough love and eliminate the risk as much as possible by eliminating the human-food treats. Occasional treats might be alright, providing you can exercise self control and resist those “don’t you love me anymore” eyes your dog is sure to aim at you.
As mentioned, maintaining a regular feeding schedule is ideal for your pet. Left unattended, constantly filled bowls of food can lead to problems beyond even obesity. For example, free feeding your pet may lead to potty-training hassles. Naturally, what goes in must come out and a free-for-all feeding habit makes it difficult to predict when your dog will need to do his business. Regularly scheduled feedings make it far easier to predict and accommodate a pet’s potty needs.
Another great way to help your dog lose weight is to throw out all of the fatty, processed treats in your house. There are many healthy snack alternatives to choose from and trust me; your dog will like them! Carrots, for example are naturally sweet and crunchy. Many dogs enjoy snacking on carrots and actually beg for them! If your dog is used to eating fatty treats, you may have to coax him a bit before he takes his first bitebut don’t give up!
Of course, some dogs are as fond of veggies as they are of visits to the vet and will simply spit them out if offered as a treat. If yours is such a dog, you might want to try all natural, low sodium, low-fat turkey bacon. Yes, it violates the general “no human food” rule, but it is a reasonably healthy alternative to much of what you’ve likely fed your pooch in the past. Just remember to absorb the excess grease from the bacon after you cook it by soaking it up with a paper towel. Cook some up, soak up the grease, crumble the turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces and refrigerate in an airtight container. I don’t think it needs mentioning that you shouldn’t be feeding Fido the entire package at once.
A great summer snack for dogs, believe it or not, is the humble and inexpensive ice cube or ice-chips. This treat is particularly appreciated after a long walk in the summer heat. To really sell this to your dog as a must-have item, crumble some of that turkey bacon into the water before freezing. Not only will it be tasty, your dog will have a treat that also keeps him occupied for a while (healthy for the mind).
Of course, you knew we’d have to get to the topic of exercise. Here’s where you need to start setting an example. Not only will it be healthy for your dog, but it will be good for you too! You don’t have to run a marathon together, just add a lap or two to your routine walk and keep the pace brisk. Bring along a bottle of water for your furry pal and take breaks as needed. As the pounds start coming off, consider increasing the intensity slightly until you find a comfortable routine for the both of you. And, who knows, you might just lose a few pounds yourself!
Remember that your pet depends on you for its exercise and food. That means that responsibility for its weight falls squarely on your shoulders. By acknowledging that responsibility and owning up to it, you can ensure your pooch is around as long as possible. Showing love with food isn’t really love at all. It’s the easy way out and the consequences can be serious. Healthy treats, good exercise and lavish praise are all your pet needs to know you love him.