Obesity in dogs is a problem that is increasing and is that according to studies conducted in 2015 by PAW (PDSA Animal Welfare), 45% of dog owners believe that obesity is one of the most worrisome threats to petsespecially dogs and especially in the years to come. Veterinarians agree with this alarming prognosis.
Obesity in dogs and humans leads to many health problems such as diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, liver disease, and many cancers. In summary, reduced longevity and fragile health.
How can we fight canine obesity?
All breeds (and breed mixes) of dogs are affected, but some breeds are more prone to be obese than others:
Bloodhound
Beagle
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
cavalier king charles spaniel
Chihuahua
Cocker spaniel
Dachshund
English Bulldog
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
carlin
Rottweiler
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Dr. Ward of the Association for the Prevention of Obesity Companion Animal Officer (APOP) comments that the biggest problem is that once owners realize the problem, they often arrive too late.
Tips to get your dog back in shape
The main causes of obesity in dogs are a high fat food diet and lack of exercise.
How much should my dog eat?
Many dog owners don't know how to dose the amounts that your dog should eat every day, as the portions depend on the size and age of the dog, as well as the type of food.
Your vet should help you determine the proper diet for your dog and although from time to time we want to pamper our pets with treats, these should be given in moderation, although for this, your veterinarian will be able to tell you better how much to take.
What kind of food should my dog eat?
The type of food is as important as the quantity and a very curious fact is that 2,6 million dogs are fed mainly with food scraps.
There is no single correct answer about the suitable type of food of feed, since it will depend on each dog and is that at the beginning it is necessary to try (progressively and slowly) several types of food before finding a suitable one.
The following are the main categories of dog food:
Raw food
One of the newer diets for dogs is the raw meat diet that can be purchased at some pet stores or veterinary clinics and stored in the freezer.
Dry food
This is the most common type of dog food because it is the most convenient to store and feed. It is available in various formats, such as kibble, outdoor dry food, dehydrated fresh food.
Whole Foods
Most of the foods you will find in the market are complete, which means that no need to add anything.
Supplementary foods
Some foods must be supplemented with vitamins, minerals, etc., or administered in addition to a complete meal.
Physical exercise
A study of dogs on exercise showed that the percentage of dogs with more than 10 minutes of exercise per day decreased from 71% to 66% in the last 5 years.
But even for the 2,6 million dogs that are fed home-cooked food, there is a way to help them move around to expend energy, such as jogging, taking long walks, playing at home, etc.
What do you feed your dog? How do you help him spend his energy? Share your tips and tricks for keep your pet in shape And remember that it depends on you that he has a balanced diet, so do it for his health.