Dogs and Obesity
Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animal Advocates
Many Americans are overweight. In fact, obesity has become an epidemic in this country. This is not just a problem for humans, but dogs as well. Being overweight can cause a number of health problems such as arthritis, kidney and bladder problems, diabetes, heart issues, high blood pressure, even cancer.
It is often difficult to determine whether a dog is overweight or not. One method to figure out if your dog is obese is to stand behind him and run your hands on either side of his rib cage – you should be able to feel his ribs, but not see them. Your dog should have a visible “waist” when you look down on his body. There should be an indention in front of the hips.
Even a small amount of weight loss can be helpful. Helping your animal friend to lose weight can be challenging Certainly, consult your veterinarian for a safe and effective plan for weight loss. You should not rely on following the guidelines on the back of your dog’s bag of food, which simply encourages overfeeding. The quality of commercial dog foods is terrible for many reasons. Since I am not a veterinarian, I am not qualified to give information about what to feed your pet, but there are many resources available online and again, your veterinarian should be consulted.
There is a huge focus on providing your dog with home cooked meals that involves stopping the use of dry kibble and replacing it with meat and fresh vegetables. Again, many resources for recipes are available.
In addition to diet, exercise is vital. Daily walks would be ideal, but this is not always possible. Try to play ball with your dog or throw a frisbee. Come up with some fun activities that encourage your dog to move.
It is hard to know when your pet is obese, but again, your vet can help you to determine this. Good luck with your dog’s weight loss journey.