How To Keep A Lean Dog
/By Guest Writer, Kaitlin Falatovich
Obesity is a problem that is growing in the world today. The most unfortunate part is dogs are also a part of this growing epidemic. Though it can seem like a difficult solution, there a many simple ways to keep your pup lean and fit.
Where it comes from: First off you need to find out if your dog is overweight. This seems like a self explanatory but it is very important to distinguish whether or not your dog is truly over weight. The “pinch an inch” technique sound cliché but it is a great test. If you can pinch (lightly) your dog’s skin, around the rib area and cannot feel your dog’s rib cage, it is a good indicator that your dog is suffering from obesity.
Next step, go to the vet! Your vet will make check for sure that your dog is overweight. You dr. will be able to tell if your dog is over weight for their respective breed.
If there is no possible way that a simple diet change will help the situation, ask your vet to check for some of the following conditions.
-Hormone imbalance
- Thyroid problems
If you have ruled out the possibilities of a health problem, then it may just be that your dog needs to go on a diet. If that is the case there are some great ways that you can slim down your best friend.
Try to balance your dog’s diet. Instead of dry food, straight out of the industrial sized bag, try some more organic choices. Look for food that is grain free, and is made from the types of ingredients that a vicious carnivore would eat. Fresh meats work the best, so when looking for the perfect pet food, try to find fresh, canned food with chunks of real meat.
If you have time in your schedule, it may even be better to prepare meals for your dog. Try looking up recipes online and have a blast with it. My pug, Nudge, doesn’t suffer from being overweight, but he does have chronic acid reflux. When he was first diagnosed, I searched every corner of the internet to find all natural recipes for time. Nudge’s favorite recipe to date is chicken rice balls. YUM!
One more thing to watch other than your dog’s diet is how much food they are eating. Some owners find their dogs are overweight because they are eating way too much. Be sure to closely monitor how much your pooch is putting into their system at each me. One tip that may prove useful: Try putting out one to two fist sized amounts of food for your dog. (Depending on your dogs size) Let them enjoy the food that they are given, and then given them a little bit more a few hours after the initial meal. Or instead of a whole other, smaller meal, you can give them a few treats to tell them how proud you are.
Soon your dog will be happy, lean, and healthy!
About the Author: Kaitlin Falatovich is a student, writer, and pet parent. She writes from her own experiences, and is always learning something new. In between all of this, she works as a content writer for dog.com
