Decreasing Your Dog's Weight

Weight loss in canines can be a difficult task for many pet owners. Preventing obesity in the canine is the most ideal thing, however, it occurs with dogs quite frequently. Whether it is from too many treats and not enough exercise or a medical condition, weight loss is something that your veterinarian will discuss with you if your dog is obese. So what options do you have to help your dog lose weight? Exercise is a very important aspect of the weight loss protocol. By making your dog exercise every day, you not only help with weight, you also help condition the body to a more athletic level. This, in turn, helps the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. On top of exercise, dietary changes should be made so that the amount you are feeding is targeted towards your dog's ideal body weight. Your veterinarian can calculate the daily caloric requirements for your dog and give you a detailed feeding routine that you should follow in order to drop your dog's current weight to the target weight.

Unfortunately, many owners tend to just fill a large cup full of the food and pour it in the food bowl without measuring the actual amount he/she should be getting. If adjusting the current food you feed does not seem to be helping, there is prescription diet R/D by Hills. This food is only given out via prescription from your veterinarian and is specifically designed to aid in weight loss. Once your dog loses weight and drops to that ideal body score, he/she may be placed on a second prescription diet called W/D. This will maintain the current body weight and helps with obesity prone dogs. If diet and exercise do not work, there may be something abnormal with your dog's metabolism.

Obesity has become a problem in veterinary medicine and more cases are being seen every year. Your dog's weight problem should be addressed immediately to prevent any secondary problems that your dog may get from carrying too many extra pounds. Problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis can be caused from excessive weight. To prevent obesity in your dog, you should carefully measure out your dog's food in an actual measuring cup. If you are unsure how much you should be feeding, consult with your veterinarian. This will ensure that your dog is receiving the correct daily caloric intake based on the ideal weight of your dog.