Some weight control strategies
Owners can take the situation in hand right now to prevent obesity in their dogs:
1. First, assess the dog's condition. If he appears underweight, take him to the veterinarian for a physical exam to determine the cause and extent of the problem. If he appears overweight, have him checked as well and examine both feeding and exercise programs.
2. Feed appropriate snacks. If you can't resist offering Muffin an evening gnosh, try carrot sticks, unbuttered popcorn, orange or apple slices, pretzels, seedless grapes, or bits of banana instead of potato chips, pizza, or ice cream. Cut back a bit on meals if you just can't say no to those pleading eyes.
3. Provide some opportunity for prolonged exercise a couple of times a week. Long walks, play session, or strenuous training sessions help keep muscles in shape and bodies functioning. Time alone in a yard is not sufficient; although dogs will run fence lines if a person or animal happens by, they are generally as lazy as people and will not run for the sake of exercise. Two dogs, however, will usually run, romp, and play together and thus exercise each other.
4. Watch the fat content in the food you buy. Fats are energy sources; if the energy isn't expended, fats merely add unneeded calories. Fat content of dry food should range between 12-16 percent, with sedentary dogs getting a lower percentage than active or performance dogs.
5. Watch the supplements you use. Some veterinarians, breeders and trainers recommend adding a tablespoon or two of vegetable oil to the kibble if the dog has a dry coat or skin, but this probably only adds unnecessary calories. It's better for the dog to use a food with sufficient Omega fatty acids or even to supplement with Vitamin E. Owners should keep in mind that dry skin and coat or itchiness can be caused by allergies that have nothing to do with diet; if the dog scratches a lot and does not have fleas, a
visit to the veterinarian is in order.
6. If you have a puppy, get off on the right dietary footing. Feed a premium food two-to-three times a day.
7. Pick up the bowl in 15 minutes even if he doesn't lick it clean. Keep your pup a bit thin, especially if his breed is subject to skeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia or knee and elbow problems. Discontinue puppy food before six months of age to keep his rate of growth under control.
8. Don't leave the pup or dog alone with the kids at snack time; the dog is likely to feast on anything the kid doesn't want as well as lots he does want. Separating kids and dogs at snack time eliminates battles over food that can end when dog bites child.
9. Keep the garbage out of the dog's reach to avoid stealing, and if your dog is a food thief, keep food off the counters as well.
10. If your dog has a slight weight problem, reducing his regular ration by a bit or switching to a food for less active dogs may do the trick. However, if he's considerably overweight -- or you suspect that he is -- don't embark on a reduction plan without consulting a vet. This is especially important for owners of small dogs; the under-20-pounds gang may experience complications from reducing diets because they
tend to have a high metabolic rate and to dissipate heat rapidly, factors which can result in too-rapid weight loss.
