Doggy diet time?

It’s an unfortunate fact that along with the increase in obesity in humans, our faithful canine friends are also experiencing problems with body weight that could shorten or drastically alter their quality of life. It is estimated that between 25 to 40 percent of dogs are obese or at the threshold of obesity, which places them at risk for heart disease, respiratory problems, liver and kidney issues, and locomotion difficulties (ie arthritis, spinal disc disease, and so on).

Your vet will be able to tell you if your dog is overweight, however, you can do a preliminary assessment yourself by examining his body. In particular, look at his abdomen: you should be able to feel his ribs when passing a hand gently over them. An obese dog will be broader in the area just behind the ribs than in the chest when viewed from above, so that it appears as if he has no distinct waist. Visible fat deposits will also accumulate at the base of the tail, across the hips and along the spine. Depending on the severity of the condition, your dog may also develop a waddle or sway when he walks.

If you think your dog is obese, it’s a good idea to confer with your vet about starting pooch on a diet that will be appropriate for his breed, size, and age. This is because there are a number of conditions that can emerge if a dog becomes malnourished through unhealthy dieting. There are, however, some things that you as the owner are able to do to help your dog lose weight.
One of these is to step up your dog’s exercise routine. Prolonged walks or runs and play sessions are enjoyable, will keep both of you fit, and are a chance to bond with your pet. Exercise increases caloric usage by the body and converts it to energy rather than fat. Your pup will also appreciate the mental stimulation and therefore will be less likely to succumb to stress or boredom.

It also helps to control your pet’s feeding schedule by being stricter on yourself. Just because he has an empty bowl, doesn’t mean it needs to be instantly refilled! It’s fine if you want to give him treats every now and then, but foods such as carrots, green beans, egg whites or even air-popped popcorn are preferable to chips, ice-cream and so on.

Sources and further reading:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/healthy-dog-treats/page1.aspx
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/obese.html
http://www.purinaone.com.au/Article/articledetails.aspx?id=772
http://www.ehow.com/how_2000316_tell-if-dog-obese.html