How to Manage an Overweight Dog

If you have an overweight dog then there are some steps that you need to take. Obesity in a dog can lead to a wide array of issue, some of them life threatening. Obese dogs have far shorter life spans than dogs that are at the target weight for their breed. This is because obesity usually causes many secondary problems which can be very dangerous for dogs. Thus, it is essential that you fulfill your duties as a dog owner and help to deal with your overweight dog.

The first, and most important, step to managing an overweight dog is exercise. It sounds like common sense but this is often the exact problem. Think about it like this, you're at work all day while your dog sits in one spot. When you get home they walk around the house a bit and go out to potty. That's not exercise! You get more exercise than this walking to your car a few times a day. Dogs need exercise, so exercise your dog. Even a 20 minute walk once a day can work wonders. Wake up a little early, you'll be surprised to learn that this brief walk actually improves your condition throughout the work day as well.

The next thing that you need to look at when attempting to manage your overweight dog is diet. You should absolutely refrain from feeding your dog people food. In addition you should consult your vet to learn how much dog food your dog needs. If your dog is fairly inactive then chances are you may be over feeding him or her. For the time being you should switch to Science Diet r/d. This is a specially formulated dog which provides the needed nutrients for the day and, at the same time, helps your dog to actually lose weight by giving it just what it needs and none of the fattening extras found in most other types of dog food.

One final thing to consider, after all else fails, is a medical condition. Dogs can easily suffer from medical conditions, just like humans, which can cause obesity for no other reason than they are unhealthy. If diet and exercise doesn't do the trick go get your dog checked out, this could actually be a symptom of a much larger problem.

Hopefully you can implement this simple routine and get your overweight dog back under control. A proper weight is the key to a health lifestyle.