Obesity is not only a pressing medical concern among men. Did you know that dogs, too, can become overweight? In fact, being obese (or weighing more than 15 to 20 percent of the ideal weight) is one of the most common nutritional diseases among canines.
If you think this matter can be easily ignored, you have to think again. A top veterinarian or even a top veterinary compounding pharmacy knows too well that a dog being overweight comes with a number of health risks — from having diabetes to battling with skin infections to developing heart diseases. In other cases, an obese dog can even be diagnosed with some forms of cancer.
So, how do you help your beloved pet lose weight? Here are 11 ways how.
Check if your dog is indeed overweight. The basic rule? Measure your pet’s weight and don’t just guess. You can also observe your pet — if it pants heavily after a normal-paced walk, or if you can’t easily feel his ribs, it’s a sign that it is also gaining too much weight.
Consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying causes. There are other causes of obesity among dogs apart from excessive calorie intake. To rule out other causes (e.g. Hypothyroidism), visiting a vet is a must.
Follow the vet’s recommended dietary plan. Upon ruling other possible causes, a vet will typically recommend a dietary plan for your dog. Be compliant in following the plan; if advised and necessary, purchase any meds for your pot only from a top veterinary compounding pharmacy to ensure quality.
Decrease your dog’s portion size. One way to help your dog lose weight is to cut down its meal’s portion size — and not reduce the number of times you feed your pet.
Set specific feeding times. To set the tone of your dog’s weight-loss journey, train him to only eat at specific times. Also, make sure you any left-over food is taken away from your pet’s dish.
Avoid feeding your dog unhealthy treats. Extra calories are one of the main culprits behind a dog’s obesity. Be concerned about your pet’s calorie intake and cut back on the treats you used to give to it.
Make sure your kitchen is off-limits. To keep your dog from eating table scraps, it’s advisable to keep him out of the dining area and kitchen.
Increase your dog’s amount of exercise. Keep your dog fit and let it burn some calories by engaging it in tactical training.
Secure your dog’s fresh drinking water intake. As you cut down your pet’s calorie intake and you push it to exercise harder, one healthy way to keep him healthy is to always give him fresh drinking water.
Invest in supplements. Visit a top veterinary compounding pharmacy or consult a veterinarian about the recommended supplements your dog can take to boost its well-being while it’s under a weight-loss program.
Monitor your dog’s weight regularly. Finally, always monitor your dog’s weight and schedule an annual visit to the vet’s clinic to check your pet’s condition.
Akina Animal Health is a top veterinary compounding pharmacy that aims to help experts and pet owners keep their dogs, cats, and other pets healthy. Visit our website today to learn more.