What The Pope Can Teach You About at What Age Do Pit Bulls Stop Growing

Rogers Womble

Aug 17, 2021 • 14 min read

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Diet for Overweight Dogs: Weight Loss & Management Tips

When people take their dogs to the veterinarian, the last thing they expect to hear is that their pets are overweight or obese. Many people will flat out deny it and say that they’re just “fluffy,” but the reality of weight issues in dogs is far from adorable or “just a little fluffy.” Obesity is a serious issue that few pet parents are willing to address, which is unfortunate since it can lead to much worse health problems down the road. If your vet suspects your dog is overweight or obese, it’s time to take control of your dog’s diet and lifestyle before things progress to dire circumstances.

How Do I Know My Dog is Overweight or Obese?

While a vet should tell you if your dog is overweight or obese, there are some telltale signs that will tell you. The most obvious sign of an overweight or obese dog is a lack of a waist (between hips and ribcage), giving them a rounded, barrel-like look. If your dog is more than a few pounds overweight, the hips and ribcage will be completely invisible.

The second sign is inactivity, especially in breeds that enjoy exercising and have naturally higher levels of activity. Dogs are playful by nature, even breeds that don’t necessarily love running around all day. If your dog is too lazy for exercise or struggles to make it down the street without being exhausted, your dog might have a weight problem.

Another sign of overweight problems or obesity is diet. How much are you feeding your dog? Does he or she get a lot of people food or dog treats? These are a few of many questions you’ll have to answer if you suspect your dog is overweight. Many dog owners don’t know that they’re most likely overfeeding their dogs, so it’s crucial to feed your dog a diet that reflects his or her body size and activity levels.

What is the difference between Overweight and Obese?

When first learning about dog weight and diet, the terms ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ are often thrown around. While one is worse than the other, they’re both serious issues that are far too common. Overweight is a term that simply means over the limit of what your dog should weigh, which is quite common amongst many dogs. It’s easy to fix with a stricter diet and more exercise, which your vet can guide you through.

Obesity, however, beyond overweight and means your dog’s body fat index is much higher than normal. It’s a serious condition that needs medication intervention with your vet, a strict diet, and daily exercise to help get rid of the weight as quickly as possible without risking your dog’s health. If your dog is truly obese, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for help.

Why is Obesity and Being Overweight Bad for Dogs?

Weight problems and obesity are both terrible for dogs, leading to multiple health issues that are sometimes irreversible. Here are some common conditions that overweight and obese dogs may run into:

Arthritis

Diabetes
Heart Disease
Liver Failure
Elbow/Patella Luxation

Hip Dysplasia
Spine/Neck issues
Mobility Issues

If you think your dog is already heading for these issues, please call your vet as soon as possible. The sooner your dog is on a healthier path, the better your dog’s life will be later on.

Are Certain Breeds Prone to Weight Problems and Obesity?

Yes, there are some dog breeds that are more prone to obesity. However, small dogs, in general, are more likely to be overweight. Here are some breeds that may fall prey to weight gain:

Chihuahua
Yorkshire Terrier
English Mastiff

Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
Boxer
Corgi
Pug
Labrador Retriever
Golden Retriever
French Bulldog
Boston Terrier
English Bulldog
Staffordshire Terrier
Bull Terrier
Pekingese
Maltese
Bichon
Great Dane

How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight?

Call your Vet

Talk to your vet for help with diet and weight management tips. There are some things we can suggest, but completely changing a dog’s diet and lifestyle should always be done with a vet’s approval and supervision. Every dog has its own nutritional needs, which is why getting professional advice is crucial.

Check your Dog’s Food

Check your dog’s food label and see how much it calls for, then compare it to how much you’re feeding. Different dog food brands have different caloric amounts per cup, so you might be feeding more than needed. Also, some brands of dog food tend to call for more food than necessary, so you may have to cut down on the kibble (with vet approval). Another thing to check for is low-quality filler ingredients, which are just empty calories that do nothing for your dog’s health.

More exercise

One of the easiest things to start doing is to take your dog for a walk! While you shouldn’t drag an out-of-shape dog out for a 5k run, start pushing your dog to be a little more active by setting up walks throughout the day. If your dog doesn’t want to get out and move, try using dog-safe vegetables like broccoli or carrots to coax him or her into moving around.

Swap Out Treats for Veggies

While some dogs will not approve of this, but many other dogs love vegetables! If your dog is a big veggie lover, swap out treats for veggies instead. If your dog is not a vegetable lover, try to find high-quality treats that are low in calories per treat. Treats that are biscuit-like, such as Milkbone, are rarely healthy and will add to your dog’s weight problem.

Conclusion
Dog weight can be a sensitive topic, with many pet owners swearing that their dog isn’t fat at all. While it may not seem like a serious problem, dog obesity a nationwide issue that plagues hundreds of dogs yearly. If you think your dog has a weight issue, consult with your vet as soon as you can to prevent other problems from arriving. With persistence and patience, your dog can lose the extra weight and seem years younger than before.

https://petkeen.com/diet-for-overweight-dogs/

There is no such thing as a perfect dog owner. You may look back regretfully on mistakes you've made, but the truth is that you're not alone. Learning from your mistakes is key, and this article should show you the right way to care for your dog as it is chock full of advice from other owners like you.

Consider teaching your dog hand signals along with verbal commands. Consistency and practice are key to teaching a dog these non-verbal commands. Many owners get frustrated and resort back to verbal commands, but a well-trained dog should understand both. Try using only verbal commands when the dog is out of sight range, but when close up, only use the hand signals.

If you have medication is your home, even if it is just over-the-counter medication, place it where your dog cannot access it. Just a few of your pills could literally kill your dog. If your pet does manage to ingest some medicine, contact the vet right away.

Take care to keep your dog cool while traveling during the summer by car. Even with your air-conditioning on, the dog may become over-heated in his pet carrier. A simple and low-cost countermeasure is freezing a few gallon jugs of water and placing them near him where he can curl up and cool off.

Be careful around Christmas time with a dog in your home; it's the busiest time of year at 24/7 animal clinics! Things like hanging and tree lights pose a danger to your dog, as they could become tangled or gnaw their way down to raw wires. The loveliest of Christmas plants are also hazardous to a dog's health, so take extra care during holidays.

Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and anything you start with him will be expected in the future. If you're not keen on him sleeping with you, don't let him do it only on occasion. Likewise, if you don't want him begging at the table, never offer him a bite of people food. He will learn and accept things if you are consistent.

There are many ways to show your dog how cherished he is. Do not focus on just the negatives with your dog. If you focus on the negatives, they will not maximize their potential. Try praising them at least 5 times more than when you scold them. When you do this, you will probably end up with a better behaved dog.

Just like humans, dogs need to get a good amount of exercise each and every day. If your dog does not get the exercise it needs, it health will decline, and so will his attitude towards life. Take the time to exercise your dog for at least a half hour each day for the best results.

The pads of your dog's feet can become dry and cracked, so make sure that you moisturize them regularly. Ask your veterinarian for advice on which product to use. Avoid using moisturizers that are intended for humans, because they can make the pads too soft and your dog may get hurt.

Keep your dog safe from dangerous chemicals. Similar to kids, cleaning chemicals and any car maintenance substances are harmful to them. These substances are poisonous, so if a dog gets any on them or ingests any, they could get burned, become very sick, or die. Store your hazardous chemicals in a place that your dog can't get to, or keep them in a closed area using a child-proof lock.

Attention exercises must be practiced daily. These exercises will help you gain your dog's attention when they are barking or being disruptive or destructive. Once you can gain your dog's attention, you will have less to worry about when you have him out of the house or when there is company over.

You need to ensure your dog will come back if he runs away; that is why you need to have a collar with his information on it. A breakaway collar that includes an ID tag will ensure the return of your dog if they should wander. Put your own name and contact information on it, along with your dog's name. You can also opt to have a micro-chip inserted into your dog.

Keep your dog safe from dangerous chemicals. Similar to kids, cleaning chemicals and any car maintenance substances are harmful to them. These substances are poisonous, so if a dog gets any on them or ingests any, they could get burned, become very sick, or die. Store your hazardous chemicals in a place that your dog can't get to, or keep them in a closed area using a child-proof lock.

Be careful when choosing what kind of food to feed your dog. Some dog foods contain dyes and fillers that are simply not healthy for them. When choosing a food, look on the label for words like "AAFCO feeding studies" and "feeding tests". These foods have gone through feeding trials and have been proven to be healthy.

Some vitamins are not beneficial for dogs. If your dog already has a good diet, avoid giving him supplements. Too many vitamins can damage his body, particularly the bones, joints and blood vessels. Before giving your dog vitamins, speak with your vet.

Make sure that you're feeding your dog a good quality food. Most dog foods available at your grocery store are mainly made up of grains or corn. Instead of this, you should try to find a dog food that is mostly made of meat. Foods that are high quality can provide you with many benefits, such as having a healthy pup, less vet visits, and your dog's coat will shine more.

Naming a dog can be an absolute blast, but there are several things you should consider. Be sure that your dog's name doesn't rhyme with a word like stop or no, as this can be extremely confusing for your pet. Try and keep the name at one or two syllables in length, so that it's easy for you to call out in a hurry.

Dogs will need veterinarian check ups twice a year when they become old. Dogs can age quickly over the course of a year, and older dogs will need more vet examinations in order to catch any changes their bodies may be going through. Additional tests, such as blood, urine, and ultrasound may be needed.

There are few greater joys in life than the love you can share with your loyal companion. It won't always be a walk in the park but the rewards are more than worth it. Enjoy your pup and continue to learn more to help keep your lives happy and healthy.

Wonderful Ways To Enrich Your Dog's Life

There are over a hundred pets that any pet owner might choose to own. You could get a cat, a fish, a reptile, or even a amphibian. But, as far as a pet who'll show you unconditional love, nothing can compare to a dog. The following piece will give you tips for properly caring for a dog.

Never bring your dog with you while flying during the hot summer months, unless the airline provides a climate-controlled cabin for him. Most of the major carriers use the same area for pets as they do for cargo, meaning your dog will have to endure some pretty high temperatures as you travel to your destination, jeopardizing his safety.

If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.

Your pet needs vaccinations, much in the same way that your baby does. Some common vaccinations that dogs require include rabies, hepatitis and distemper. Each pet is different, and each will have a different immunization schedule. Your veterinarian is a great resource when it comes to which vaccinations are right for the age and breed of your pet.

Schedule regular veterinary visits. Regular veterinary exams are extremely important for your dog's overall health - as with humans, it is important to catch any health problems early on. The vet will make sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations, and check for any other issues such as weight and dental problems or parasites.

If you're training your dog, don't just use verbal commands. Try hand signals as well. These signals will help you keep your dog under control in a noisy environment. Try each way to see what works well with your dog.

Talk to the vet about which foods you should avoid giving the dog. A puppy's stomach may not be able to properly digest certain brands, sometimes causing an adverse reaction. Choose dog food adapted to the age of your puppy and use common sense when determining which foods are healthy for your dog.

Keep your dog warm during winter with the latest in canine fashion and accessories. You may think it's just for show, but dogs need protection from the elements too! Keeping your dog's paw-pads dry is essential to their health in sub-freezing weather, so invest in suede or leather footwear and pick him up a coat while you're at it. Make them instead if you are creative!

Know your dog's behavior and body rhythms well, to keep him at his healthiest. Medical issues often present themselves in slight nuances early on and if you know your dog, you'll see them. Pay attention to input and output, sleep duration, energy levels and so forth to keep on top of important issues that affect his health.

Your dog needs to wear some sort of identification in case he escapes your house. It's a good idea to fit your dog with a sturdy collar equipped with ID tags. All of the necessary contact information, including your dog's name, should be included. You may also want to install a micro-chip into your dog.

Keep your dog in comfortable housing. They should be able to rest off the floor and away from drafts. A training crate is a good choice or any covered shelter outside. Try placing a dog bed inside that has a warm blanket or a pillow inside. Wash the dog's bedding frequently.

If your dog has been playing outside, take the time to inspect its ears and neck for ticks. These parasites are very common and could make your dog sick if you do not take action right away. Take your dog to the vet if you do not know how to remove the ticks yourself.

If you have a new dog in the house, be careful with how much freedom you give him or her initially. The freedom to have access to all areas of your home needs to be earned. If you allow your pet to roam too soon, you may have to deal with damaged furniture and other issues. Use baby gates to help restrict your dog's movements, and house him in an appropriately sized crate when you cannot watch him.

Be sure to keep your dog's nails clipped in order to prevent injury. This can occur both from the dog scratching itself or also from having its nails get caught in things such as carpet. In order to be sure you are cutting the nails correctly, be sure to check with the veterinarian or groomer.

If you are training your dog to not pull when on the leash, you should invest in a quality collar and leash. If you have a larger dog, the force of it pulling might be able to break basic collars and leashes. For this reason a good, strong collar is recommended when you are walking your pup.

When you are finding out what kind of dog you want to get, you might want to introduce the prospective pet to your current pet. Though most are sociable, certain dogs are better able to get along with other dogs than others. If you manage to find two dogs who are instant best friends, it will make your job of training them to get along that much easier.

When training your dog, always make sure that you enter a room before allowing the dog to. This is important because it is an obvious form of dominance that your dog will understand. Establishing dominance will help with your ability to train your dog and with its overall behavior patterns.

If you won't be the only person tending for your dog, make sure that everyone who will be taking care of the dog is on the same page. If https://anotepad.com/notes/rgfgmqmm have one way of doing things and your significant other has another way, you should sit down and explain the ways and figure out which one will be applied constantly by both people.

Puppies may be cute when biting on a slipper, but the cuteness fades when it turns into a dog who is ripping them apart. Stop these problems early. If he's doing something wrong, say "no" firmly. It is best to address this issue early.

In sum, dogs offer a level of affection and love that is unrivaled. To get as much as possible out of the canine experience, you need to have the right knowledge. The article you have just read has provided you with excellent advice on how to raise the best dog. Use these tips and any others you find to become a great dog owner.

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