With the current pandemic around, all of us have to watch our weight carefully as we are largely at home. While we can always follow some of the popular workouts on YouTube, what is equally important is that we watch our diet. But while that is the case for us, it is not the same for our pets. You see, while we can follow the videos and watch our diet, the dogs certainly cannot do that. Have you ever encountered dogs that absolutely hates treats because they are tipping the scales? Do let me know if you have encountered any!
With that said, the main onus of losing the dog’s weight lies with us, the owners. If you struggling to help your dog lose weight, then why not follow our tips and you can be sure that your dog will lose its weight to reach desirable numbers.
3 Easy Tips To Help Your Dog Lose Weight
1. Balanced Diet
Instead of feeding your dog with many junk food or even the random bag of kibbles that seems to have tons of reviews, we urge you to look carefully at the ingredients stated in that bag of kibbles. You see, not all dog food is manufactured with the dog in mind. Some of them might be designed to be tastier, but not necessarily healthier, for the dog. A well-balanced diet will ensure that the dog has a sufficient source of protein as well as essential vitamins and minerals packed into it. Protip: Always ensure that the first ingredient in the bag of kibbles is listed with chicken, beef, or any other wholesome meat as opposed to meat meals. This is because the first ingredient in the list has the highest percentage component, and you wouldn’t want it to be a meat meal!
2. Count Calories
If you have been counting your calories, good! Why not count your dog’s calories too. Do not feed the dog simply because it is whining with those cute dog eyes that simply melt you away. Counting the dog’s calories is one of the best ways to reduce our dog’s weight, but make sure that you healthily do this too. If you still do not know, the dog’s calories needs vary a lot, especially when the dog starts to grow older.
Owners might not know that the treats they have been giving to their dog do count into the calories. While giving treats to our dogs is essential when it comes to training them, we should make it a point to substitute commercially made treats with homemade healthy dog treats for them. This will allow us to watch the dog’s weight yet at the same time having the ability to control the type of treats that we are giving to our dogs.
3. Active Lifestyle
This might just be the easiest way to keep our dog’s weight in check. All you have to do is to dedicate at least 20 minutes twice daily to bring your dog out for their daily walks. It can be a short walk around your house or on a road trip for a longer hike. If you decide to bring your dog to the pool, why not? All of these does help to exercise our dogs and that will greatly help us manage their weight.
Indeed, one of the most effective ways to help your dog lose weight is to increase their physical activity. Dogs love to run and play, so take advantage of this by scheduling daily walks or trips to the park. Try to gradually increase the duration and intensity of these activities to avoid overexerting your dog. If your dog is not used to regular exercise, it’s important to start slowly and work your way up to more intense activities.
Why Do I Need To Watch My Dog’s Weight
It is the same reason as to why we need to watch our own weight. We know that our health problems increase exponentially with our weight, which is why we have to watch our weight. But that isn’t the sole reason. though. Here are the reasons why you need to watch your dog’s weight.
- Lifespan: Do you know that dogs can lose two and a half years of their life if they are way beyond their weight? If you are looking to enjoy having a dog to accompany you and for you to love for long, then you should really keep a watchful eye on your dog’s weight.
- Cost: If you have ever owned a dog, you will know that it is expensive to keep a pet these days. Other than the cost of feeding our dog, we will still need to incur costs when we bring that dog to the vet, and a simple consultation with the pet will set you back by at least a hundred bucks already. If you include those blood tests or even surgery, you can expect the costs to rise!
- Unhealthy dog: Having an overweight dog can be unsightly, but it can also mean that the dog’s quality of life is stunted since they are not exercising much. This can also mean that you, as an owner, is also unfit and unkempt, and this is something that you wish to avoid.
Why Is My Dog Constantly Overweight
There could be several reasons, including overfeeding, lack of exercise, or certain medical conditions.
- Overfeeding: Feeding your dog too much food, too often, or giving too many treats or table scraps can contribute to weight gain.
- Lack of exercise: Dogs who don’t get enough exercise or playtime can become overweight or obese. Even dogs with a healthy diet can gain weight if they’re not burning enough calories.
- Age: Older dogs tend to be less active and have slower metabolisms, which can make weight management more difficult.
- Breed: Certain dog breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers and Beagles, are prone to weight gain and obesity.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, can cause weight gain in dogs.
