Monday 8 February 2016

10 Tips to stop your dog getting Fat

Also just like us, overweight pets are at risk of nasty conditions like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, and flab even lowers their life expectancy - See more at: http://www.poochandcompany.co.uk/dog-blog/post/dog-obesity-how-to-stop-your-pooch-getting-fat/#sthash.LdHJJUfT.dpuf
Also just like us, overweight pets are at risk of nasty conditions like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, and flab even lowers their life expectancy - See more at: http://www.poochandcompany.co.uk/dog-blog/post/dog-obesity-how-to-stop-your-pooch-getting-fat/#sthash.LdHJJUfT.dpuf
Also just like us, overweight pets are at risk of nasty conditions like diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, and flab even lowers their life expectancy - See more at: http://www.poochandcompany.co.uk/dog-blog/post/dog-obesity-how-to-stop-your-pooch-getting-fat/#sthash.LdHJJUfT.dpuf

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about how dogs can be an important part of your keep fit and lose weight campaign and in doing so you dog will also get fitter and perhaps lose some weight if it needs to.  It is important that dogs do not become fat as overweight dogs are at risk from diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and reduced life spans.  They are only with us for a few short years so we owe it to them to keep them as fit and healthy as possible which means keeping them at their optimum weight.



10 Tips to stop your dog getting Fat

Feeding

  • Don't overfeed at meal times - if needs be, weight the food so you know you are giving the right amount.
  • Don't feed loads of snacks or titbits from the table or allow them to clean bowls for you.  You might feel those begging eyes are irresistible but perhaps for one moment don't see them as eyes that are begging for food but for eyes that are begging you to take away the pain from arthritic joints brought on by being overweight.
  • If you do feed snacks keep them small and low fat - a dog will be as pleased with that as something bigger and more fattening. It is the fact they are getting a snack that pleases them just as much as what it actually is.
  • Be firm - if they are begging say no and make them go and sit on their bed.  
  • If using snacks for training keep to a minimum and reduce their meal accordingly.
  • Weight them regularly - our vet is happy for us to pop in whenever we want to put Saari on the scales .... she is less keen it has to be said!
  • Check what weight they should be for their breed and age.
  • Don't leave food out or they might steal it - SAARI - this one is aimed at you!  If they have stolen then cut their next meal down accordingly.

Exercise

  • Regular walks - make sure they get walked at least once a day and at a decent speed.  If they are not used to walking far and fast then build them up slowly, as you would do entering a new fitness regime.  Every day means just that -come rain or shine, they need that walk.
  • Ideally run with your dog for part of their exercise or if that isn't an option (ahem, that would be me!) then get them to run after balls or toys.  A ball thrower is great for dogs who love to retrieve a something - that wouldn't be Saari then!

I have heard people say they can't resist those begging eyes.  I say again, whilst looking at the photo of the overweight beagle above, PLEASE, do resist because these are not the eyes of a happy dog full of the joys of life but one who cannot run and jump and be "a dog".  We owe it to our canine friends to not allow them to become overweight.

Have you got any more tips on how to stop our dogs getting fat?  And why not pin the image below to spread the message.






9 comments :

  1. Great tips, Rosie. Our dog had the most impressive begging eyes but I think when you realise you're doing them more harm than good it helps to stop the urge to over feed them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh no... My cousin has this problem with their labrador. As you know, it's a common for that breed right? They do everything with Coco, but I think he continuous to battle with his weight (Don't we all?) At least some of us ;) #animaltales

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post Rosie. Going out in all weathers is quite exciting. We like to choose where we're going each day based on the weather so get a variety. Sometimes the mud wins :)

    Taz had his annual checkup/booster last night. The first year we had him he put on 2kg (he was 8 months) but has stayed the same now for the past four years. Must be doing something right (oh but those eyes are so hard to resist!).

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such good tips. We are lucky that our cats seem to regulate their own weight well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. some great tips! stopping animals from getting fat can be so hard when we want to give them loads of treats :p I found the same things with my cats until they became little roly pollys and had to go on a diet! learned my lesson - Thanks for hosting another fab #AnimalTales :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like us humans really, got to get out and have a little exercise in all weather and watch the naughty foods.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Some of these tips are handing for cats too! Mine is currently on a diet

    ReplyDelete
  8. I make my own treats for Bob, the cat unfortunately is eating the food out out by the nutty cat woman on our street, more about that in next week's post

    ReplyDelete
  9. Stella got very overweight when she started taking epilepsy medication...the vets warned me she'd become a scavenger but the extent to which that was true was horrific! She still is, but, the cancer and thyroid issues are making her very underweight no matter how much she eats. I feel sorry for her being permanently hungry but still only feed her good stuff! We love our long walks too :)

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.