There’s no way around it. You look at your dog, your dog looks back at you, and you can’t help but think to yourself, “Man, Baxter really has put on some serious weight lately.” That round and protruding belly makes for an ideal petting zone, and as much as your happy little chomper carelessly begs for food at the dinner table every night, it’s time to make some much needed changes in light of the New Year.
If Your Dog Is Overweight, You’re Not Alone
Indeed, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, some 52 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight. That’s a staggering 89 million (approx.) pets, and it’s a statistic that should alarm pet owners into making some much needed changes in their pet’s diet and activity levels.
At the end of the day, the smartest move that you can take to help your dog live a happier, healthier, and slimmer life is to visit our Gaithersburg veterinarians here at Goshen Animal Clinic. We’ll review your dog’s medical and dietary history and give you scientifically guided advice on what to feed him or her. With our guidance in mind, you can be confident that your dog will be on track to better health. Visit our pet health library to learn more!
With that being said, here are a few general tips to help shape up your dog in and around the house.
Don’t Feed Them Any Leftover Scraps From Dinner
We know, we know — those begging eyes are too adorable to resist giving in, but feeding your dog table scraps here and there can amount to considerable weight gain over time. A healthy dog’s diet is strictly regulated, and as such, you should stick to feeding him or her the same amount of the same type of food on a daily basis. Speaking of providing the same amount of food…
Weigh Out Your Dog’s Food
By weighing or measuring the amount of kibble that you’re putting in your dog’s bowl, you can be confident that they’re consuming the same amount of calories every day (more or less). When we eyeball our dog’s food, we tend to give them a little more than what’s necessary, and that extra grub — like free table scraps — tends to add up over time.
Make It A Family Project
If you have a family dog, then why not make their weight loss a family-based challenge? Give each member (or one member) a specifically allocated number of treats per day or per week. Have everyone take turns walking the dog, playing fetch, visiting the dog park, or even just playing with him or her until they’re panting hard with a beaming smile.
Remember, there is power in numbers and getting the whole family in on your dog’s health quest will only help.
Schedule An Appointment With Goshen Animal Clinic To Learn More
Even as a dedicated and passionate dog owner, you can only do so much for your pet. That’s where our Gaithersburg veterinary experts come in. Check out our special offers today or contact us to make an appointment.
