Did you know a 20 lb. pug is equivalent to a 161 lb. 5’4” woman or 188 lb. 5’9” man? That is 11% overweight for a pug. We already talked about the statistics in Pet Obesity: Noticing the Epidemic and we know that an estimated 54% of U.S. cats and dogs are overweight or obese. If you were part of the 22% of dog owners in denial about your dog’s weight, hopefully you have come to the realization that a change must be made or your dog will most likely pay the price. Overeating, eating unhealthy foods, and not exercising is a deadly combination; so let’s make a change.
Problem: Overeating. Some dogs would eat a whole bag of dog food if you let them. They inhale their kibble and then look at you like, “is that all?” In cases like this, free feeding (filling the bowl and letting your dog eat when he wants) does not work. You need to measure out the appropriate amount of food stated on the dog food bag or as instructed by your veterinarian.
The number two culprit to weight gain is fatty wet food. Portions of wet food should be monitored closely. Just a few extra scoops here or there can easily add 10 extra pounds to any dog. However, while wet food can help pack on the pounds, an excess of treats is the number one problem in most overweight cases. A treat after breakfast, a treat for lunch, a treat before dinner, and then a treat for dessert. Believe it or not, your dog can go a lot longer without eating than you can. Depending on his activity level, he doesn’t need more than two meals a day, let alone snacks in between.
Solution: Limit food intake. Putting your dog on a diet is hard to do. They look at you with big sad eyes and whine like they are starving. While this is hard to resist, put down the treats; your dog doesn’t need them! If you feel the urge to feed your dog more often than once or twice a day, break up his normal meal into smaller portions that you can give throughout the day. If you want to give a treat, only give 1 treat per day, not 3 or more.
Problem: Unhealthy eating. Even if you do cut back on the food and treats, do you actually know what you are feeding your dog? Most consumers don’t even pay attention to what is in their own food let alone their dog’s food. If you read the ingredient label you might be surprised to find a lot of big name dog foods (and treats) are packed with fillers, calories, and ‘bad’ fats. While these dog foods are the cheapest alternative (due to the cheap ingredients) they are not the only option for feeding your dog.
Solution: Change your dog’s food. There are holistic dog food brands like Blue Buffalo, Wellness, Canidae, Natural Balance, Stella & Chewy’s, and Nature’s Variety that provide a more balanced and healthy meal for your dog without meat by-product or fillers. Additionally, there are other alternatives to kibble or wet food such as freeze-dried food, raw meat medallions, or even home cooked meals that you can buy for your dog. The point is, you have options and while they may be more expensive then basic kibble, they will save you money on trips to the vet and avoid the more expensive Prescription Diet food which your veterinarian may put your dog on if his weight becomes a problem.
The major pet stores just started carrying holistic dog food so their options are still pretty limited. Check out a local feed store for more options to compare to find the right food choice for your dog:
B & E Feed located at 1004 6th St. in Norco- (951)371-4000
Pet Supply Warehouse located at 5729 E La Palma Ave. in Anaheim Hills- (714)777-9970
Anaheim Feed & Pet Supply located at 1730 N Lemon St. in Anaheim- (714)992-2012
Problem: Lack of exercise. Most dogs were born and bred to work but today’s society doesn’t need them to work like they once did. Despite these societal changes, dog’s still need exercise and it means more in a dog’s life than just avoiding weight gain. Exercise:
· Strengthens the immune system
· Increases blood circulation
· Reduces the risk of heart disease and other illnesses
· Reduces or eliminates digestive problems
· Reduces susceptibility to urinary infections
· Reduces stress and the likelihood of depression
· Keeps dog from becoming obese which could result in depression and/or diabetes
· Reduces the chance of arthritis in senior years
· Reduces boredom and therefore bad behavior such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking
· Helps to build confidence
· Reduces anxiety which may cause a dog to become aggressive or territorial
· Calms hyperactive dogs
Solution: Daily exercise. Exercise makes a happy, healthy, and well-balanced dog. It’s up to you to get in the habit of making sure he gets that regular exercise because he can’t do that for himself.
If you want to change things in your dog’s eating habits, you do not have to do it alone. Talk with your veterinarian for advice or look online for a little guidance. Organizations like the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention provide online tools to help pet owners make a change and gain control of the situation. Check out the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website and join the fight against pet obesity.
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