Obesity
More than on third Australian dogs are obese. Vets are often having the ‘fat talk’ with many owners to try and combat this common issue which can lead to a range of problems including osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament rupture, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, respiratory and kidney disease, cancer and ultimately poor quality of life and reduced life expectancy.
Not something that we wish upon our beloved best mate. So… how can you tell if Fluffy is overweight? Have a feel of their ribs. Can they be felt easily or do you have to go poking and prodding to find them under the layers? What about a waist? Is there definition there or are they very straight down the sides due to excessive fat?
A dog with a healthy weight has a waist and ribs that are easily felt under a thin layer of skin. If you are unsure what a healthy body shape is for your dog, please talk to us. Many owners pose the question – how much should I be feeding my dog? It depends on what kind of food you are feeding, how much daily activity your dog receives and how many added extras such as treats and bones they enjoy.
Forstly, use the feeding guide on your dog food as a starting point and measure the daily ration accurately using scales, or a cup. Weigh your dog regularly – taking them to the vet every three months when worming is due is a good routine. Monitor fat coverage over ribs and check for that all -important waist. The key to successful weight management is strict portion control, minimal low fat treats, no extra human food scraps, exercise and tailoring your dog’s daily food ration to their body condition. For example, in winter, daily activity is usually less, so reduce their ration to compensate for this.
Then there’s the guilt factor. Many of us are bullied by our dogs to give them extra treats, so before you start handling out that fifth smacko for the day, try and look at your daily routine.
· Smaller more frequent meals may keep them satisfied
· Take some biscuits from their daily ration and use as treats
· One raw bone equals one meal… so remember to allow for this
· Implement changes so that Fluffy isn’t staring you down when you are trying to eat your dinner
If it really is a struggle to keep your dogs weight down talk to our veterinarians. We can advise you on what to feed and how much, as well as look for any underling health issues that could be contributing to weight gain. We also provide plenty of support for your dogs weight loss journey, just like us humans it’s easier said than done!