Overweight pets can be a big problem for both the animal and the owner. Overweight dogs can die earlier in life, have severe health issues and be generally unhappy when they can't get around. Unfortunately, pet obesity is an increasing trend within the United States. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to help keep your own four-legged friend from reaching this point, and new medical advances are helping reduce the problems they cause.
Experts have pinpointed a few basic problems that cause most dog obesity. The number one would be that dogs are overeating and eating table scraps. As cute as it might be to feed your pet at the table, resist if you want to help their health. Human food just can't be handled properly by dogs, nor does it really provide the nutrients that they need for their health needs.
Another reason dogs are seriously overweight includes lack of exercise. When the owner doesn't get out often enough, neither does the dog. These days more and more dogs are indoor pets, leaving the time outside to be brief bathroom breaks. Try to increase walk frequency if you think that your dog might be putting on weight.
One of the best ways to address dog obesity is to look at your own lifestyle. By helping your dog keep healthy, you'll also be helping yourself stay healthy. Getting out and enjoying life every day when you walk is the first way. Then make a pact that nobody in your family feeds your dog off the table. Make sure that your dog just eats dog food, not people food as well. If your dog continues to gain weight, consider lowering how much of their dog food you give them as well.
If you think that your dog might be facing an obesity problem, you really need to consider taking some steps to correct it. As we know it all starts with the dog owner. - 29895
Experts have pinpointed a few basic problems that cause most dog obesity. The number one would be that dogs are overeating and eating table scraps. As cute as it might be to feed your pet at the table, resist if you want to help their health. Human food just can't be handled properly by dogs, nor does it really provide the nutrients that they need for their health needs.
Another reason dogs are seriously overweight includes lack of exercise. When the owner doesn't get out often enough, neither does the dog. These days more and more dogs are indoor pets, leaving the time outside to be brief bathroom breaks. Try to increase walk frequency if you think that your dog might be putting on weight.
One of the best ways to address dog obesity is to look at your own lifestyle. By helping your dog keep healthy, you'll also be helping yourself stay healthy. Getting out and enjoying life every day when you walk is the first way. Then make a pact that nobody in your family feeds your dog off the table. Make sure that your dog just eats dog food, not people food as well. If your dog continues to gain weight, consider lowering how much of their dog food you give them as well.
If you think that your dog might be facing an obesity problem, you really need to consider taking some steps to correct it. As we know it all starts with the dog owner. - 29895
About the Author:
As well as writing pet care advice, Taylor Martinerin also writes about picking a good xlarge dog bed, such as a waterproof dog bed.
