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Evaluating Your Dog’s Health – Weight

October 29th, 2009

I think we all know that over weight or under weight is a sign of a problem, don’t ignore it. We all know that carrying extra weight isn’t healthy for humans, and the same goes for dogs. Obesity is the most common canine nutritional disease in this country, occurring in up to 25 percent of the population. Chubby dogs are more likely to develop serious diseases like diabetes, joint problems, infections, skin disease, and even certain cancers.

Of course, the best thing for your dog is not to let him get fat in the first place. Good habits start young, so if you have a puppy, don’t overfeed him, and don’t leave food out all day for your dog to nibble, cut out snacks, and make sure he gets exercise.

• No more free feeding! Food is for mealtime only.
• Exercise your dog daily.
• Be careful about the type of exercise you give your puppy. Make sure it is age appropriate.

A veterinary checkup will ensure your dog doesn’t have any health problems that would preclude regular exercise and a change in food and current exercise. Your vet will also advise you on the safest rate of weight loss; losing too much weight too fast can be dangerous. Monitor your dog’s progress with weekly weigh-ins, either at the veterinarian’s office or at home.

HINT: To determine whether your dog is already too heavy, stand over him and check for a waist — a visible indentation behind his ribs. Then give him a hands-on test. Can you feel his ribs? They shouldn’t be sticking out, but you should be able to find them through a layer of skin and muscle. If all you feel is rolls of fat, it’s time to work with your veterinarian and develop a diet and exercise plan.

Offer the best quality all natural food at mealtimes. Offer pieces of fruit (apples or bananas) or vegetables (carrots or broccoli) for treats. Dogs love them. The right food is more important than anything else, make smart choices.

This information was provided by Susan Hartzler with AlphaDog PR, which is based in Los Angeles and a chosen resource for editors, producers, writers and reporters. Alpha Dog PR is dedicated to providing the media with the most up-to-the-minute information about the rapidly growing pet industry. For more information, please visit www.alphadogpr.com or call (818) 998-6299.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: canine nutritional disease, chubby dogs, diabetes, dog health, dog obesity, fat dog, obesity, overweight, overweight dog, regular exercise
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