Dog Obesity, Your Fault Or The Dogs?

Dog obesity is becoming the number 1 health problem in dogs today. There are many precautions that can be taken to stop this from happening to your dog. The first would be to make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Whether it is going for a nice quiet walk with his/her owner or having a fenced in yard to run around, all dogs need exercise. In fact, you should try to provide several different times of exercise though out the day. Do not keep the food dish filled to the top with food available all day. Some dogs may eat because they might have an anxiety problem while you are away.

To help them deal with their anxieties, they may eat more with food constantly available. Some breeds just do not know when they are full and will eat till they get sick. Dog obesity is more common with middle-aged dogs and should be monitored closely. Only a few extra pounds are harmful to their health. It is also very hard for a dog to lose a few pounds. It is best to feed your dog 2-3 times a day. There are guidelines on food bag labels, but they are just that - guidelines. If concerned about your dog's weight, check with your veterinarian as to how much you should be feeding your dog. The best food would be one that is rich in dietary protein and fiber, but low in fat. This will stimulate metabolism and provide energy, but will also give your dog a sense of being full. Be careful about the number of dog treats you give your dog each day as these calories add up quickly. Dog obesity may be detrimental to your dogs health. If you find yourself saying your dog is getting overweight and you don't see any positive results with what you have started to do, you may want to talk with your veterinarian about a weight management program.

The reality is if your dog doesn't have a genetic health disorder to explain his weight gain, then you are to blame. As cute as those begging puppy eyes are hard to resist, do not feed human food to your dog. No matter how much they beg, you as the owner needs to have wheel power to say no. If you the owner are not getting out with the dog to exercise and you don't have a fenced in back yard to let your dog run and exercise on his/her own, then you are to blame again. Most importantly, a dog does not go to the store to buy his own food, you do that. Nor does the dog dictate how much you give him/her. Educate yourself and learn what not to feed your dog. Learn what the information on the food bag label really means.