The holiday season is the time
where most of us are blowing our diet on sweet treats and over-indulgent meals.
While you may obsess over your own diet on the regular (or maybe you
don't), have you given much thought to your dog's diet? Specifically, how much
he/she is getting to eat?
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 52.7 percent of dogs are overweight or obese. That's a little more than half of all the dogs in the U. S. So whether or not you have asked yourself the question, "How much should I be feeding my dog?", the odds are you're feeding him/her too much.
Excessive weight not only adds
health issues that will keep you at the vets office, it also shortens the life
of your fur baby. So, if you haven't asked the question, there's no time
like the present.
How much should I feed my dog?
1. Food Label Recommendations -
A good starting point is the
recommended feeding amount provided by the manufacturer. Of course, this
recommendations are just that, recommendations, since the food company does not
know your dog's specific calorie needs which can vary greatly depending on
their level of activity, metabolism, and other factors. But, its a good
starting point. Monitor how much you feed her, track her weight closely, and adjust
accordingly.
2. Appropriate Measurements -
If you measure your dogs food
out in cups, be sure to use a measuring cup, not just any cup. Or use a
measuring scale to be even more accurate. This will ensure you are giving your
dog precisely the right amount of food, especially for small dogs, where one or
two extra kibbles can actually make a difference.
3. Homemade Math -
If you make homemade meals for
your dog, calculate the amount of food as a percentage of your dog's body
weight. Keep in mind smaller dogs eat a larger percentage of their body weight
than bigger dogs do. Its best to feed most non-athlete pets only lean meats
with less than 10% fat. And dogs fed grains and other strachy carbs will eat
more food by weight than those fed primarily meat.
4. Adding Up Extras -
Don't forget to include extra
treats you give your dog throughout the day. Those treats add up in
calories and may undermine your efforts to slim your dog down. Unfortunately,
many treats do not say how many calories each treat contains. One little treat
can easily put your dog over their calorie count for the day. For
example: Greenies have about 272 calories each (depending on the size) while
Bully sticks may contain 29 calories per inch. Simple Milk Bone Biscuits can
have 10 to 225 calories each and Rawhides can have 80 calories per ounce. If
you would like to know the calorie count for your dog's favorite treat, and
it's not on the packaging, you can always contact the company.
5. Adding in the Right Foods
-
If you are trying to help your
dog slim down but their sad portion of kibble doesn't satisfy them, you can try
adding human food; as long as it's the right human food. Adding in
non-starchy vegetables, which are low in calories and provide valuable
antioxidants and phytonutrients, may help your dog feel fuller. Some examples
are carrots, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, and other leafy greens. While you
can give these veggies as raw snacks, they need to be cooked in order for your
dog to digest them. Other beneficial human foods you can add include
skinless chicken breast, low-fat or non-fat yogurt and cottage cheese, as well
as sardines (packed in water, not oil).
If you are unsure if your dog
(or cat) needs to slim down, consult your vet. They can help you figure out
your pet's ideal weight, and you can go from there.
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