IS YOUR DOG OBESE?

I remember the good old days when people flaunt their dogs and proud of how big they are thinking that's what it takes to recognise a healthy dog, i used to fall in this category and continued to feed my dogs with different types of treats and they never ran out of food till i lost one of them due to health complications that led to obesity and for the fact that the fat blocked important parts in her system and prevented them from functioning properly. You should not worry when your dog puts on a little weight than the former but you should worry when she is growing fatter than normal which becomes obesity.

Providing a treat is one way that many Pack Leaders enjoy rewarding their pups — whether for learning a command, maintaining calm-submissive energy, or simply being a good companion.

While many Pack Leaders spend time selecting the right dog food, you may be less choosy when it comes to selecting a treat — thinking it’s just a little something special to enjoy now and then, right? Unfortunately, these treats can sometimes lead to health issues, such as obesity, particularly when the treats selected are fatty and full of empty calories.

That’s why it’s important to do your research in advance and select treats that not only keep your dog happy and drooling for more, but also maintain her health

 Our Mistake

Many people believe their dogs have to be fed over and over
in a day to look good which to me is a myth, i once engaged a friend in the dog love game and said he was surprised when he got to Nigeria and noticed people buying chunks of chicken mixed with other things for their dogs, that where he came from, their dog feed only on nutritious biscuits and sometimes after giving his dog its food, she has finished it before turning back to leave but when you see his dogs, they look good,fresh and not overweight which shows they are on the right track concerning their weight.

we should recall that some breeds of dogs will never grow fatter than what their breeds normally look like because it’s their specie but when you keep feeding them with unnecessary junks, they keep eating and enjoying it but it does a great damage to their system in return, we should note that we as the pack leaders are in charge of making sure that these dogs are living fine and healthy because when they become obese and can't move their body or wiggle, they can't connect why they are like and that is why it is up to us to make sure they are healthy.

How to know if your dog is obese?

It is normal to weigh your dog from time to time to know how she is fairing, anytime you go on a vet visit, and you can also feel your dog's obesity by feeling her belly back to her ribs then to her back and sides, compare it to what you have on the scale and if she is obese or normal, you definitely will be able to tell when you see the difference.

How do I get my dog back in shape?

Notify the vet

Once you notice obesity in your dog, notify your vet and let him/her guide you on the nutritional needs the dog might need, follow the guidelines strictly knowing the appropriate amount with the aid of a food scale for the correct measurement...assumption is not acceptable.

Healthy snacking

The amount of calorie intake doesn't just affect humans but also affects dogs,it is therefore advisable to get treats with low calories or you get them toys they can't do without as a gift instead of indulging them with treats and too much food.

Binge Eating

Just like humans watching their weight are advised to eat little portions as many times as possible rather than eating much quantity at once which does not get to digest and converted into fat, it is therefore advisable you let your dog eat very little quantity of food about four times in a day rather than overfeed them at once...please note the difference, it is very important.

Notify your household

It is advisable you carry along your entire household and pack so you won't be watching your dog's weight while someone is feeding her with what you are avoiding somewhere, everybody has to be on the same page concerning the weight loss programme.

Exercise all the way

Just like i say every time, your dog being obese or not needs exercise every time let alone a dog that is obese, always walk your dogs to avoid health problems asides obesity.

while your dog may look much more attractive when overweight, obesity poses a lot of health risk for your dog, it can even shorten your dog's life span by two or more years which means they can't even enjoy the better part of their lives due to joint and other problems highlighted below:

Type 2 diabetes

Heart disease

Arthritis, joint damage and pain

Liver malfunction.

Please help our four legged friends to stay healthy by feeding them with appropriate food and treat

Tune in to www.damicratic.radio.com for more information about obesity in dogs and other interesting discussions on pets every Saturdays at 4pm (WAT) or send your dog story to adeolaomojadesola@gmail.com

PICTURE CREDIT: GOOGLE.COM