We love our dogs no matter what, so a few extra pounds don’t matter to us. But for your dog to lead a healthy and active life, his weight is important. In honor of National Pet Obesity Awareness Day on October 12, let’s take this opportunity to check our dog’s weight so we can make informed choices for our pups. This information will help you know what to look for when determining your dog’s ideal weight, why it is important, and provide you with resources and tools you can use.
Is my dog overweight?
An estimated 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. However, when asked by a veterinarian, only 5-7% of pet owners think their pet is overweight. An investigation carried out by the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity found that 55.8 percent of dogs were classified as overweight or obese. Excess weight leads to additional health problems. It is important that your dog lives a long and healthy life.
Here is a short quiz that will help you determine if you have an overweight dog or find out if your dog is overweight.
Quick quiz: is my dog fit or fat?
Of course, always consult a veterinarian regarding your dog’s health and diet. But for educational purposes, ask yourself these 5 questions to help you determine if your dog is fit or fat:
1. How often does your dog exercise?
A. When they spend time outside going to the bathroom
b. A 30-minute outdoor walk
vs. An hour of walking and going to get the ball to play
2. How many days a week do you walk your dog?
A. 0-1 day per week
b. 2-3 days a week
vs. 4 to 7 days per week
3. How much food do you give your dog daily?
A. I do not really know.
b. I fill the bowl twice a day and he eats whenever he wants.
vs. I give my dog the amount of food indicated on the product based on his age and weight.
4. When you go to eat in the kitchen, do you also give your dog a treat?
A. Yes, every time
b. Yes, 2 to 4 times a day
vs. Yes, their treats are healthy, all natural and programmed
5. How long does your dog sleep?
A. Almost all day
b. About 50% of the day, or 12 hours
vs. Less than 50% of the day, or less than 12 hours
- If you answered mainly As: Let’s go! There is room for improvement. Your dog may be overweight. Set a goal and achieve it!
- If you answered mostly Bs: Keep it up! You are on average with other pet parents in following the guidelines. Your dog may be fit or he may be fat. Adopt a regular routine!
- If you answered mostly Cs: You are a rock star! It’s a good idea that your dog is in good shape! Look for joy and continue to favor healthy methods!
For additional help in determining whether your dog is fat or fit, Purina developed the Body Fitness System (BCS) for veterinarians to help clear up confusion about what the ideal body weight is for dogs. With all the different breeds of dogs and their shapes and sizes, it’s easier to assess your dog with this system in mind, rather than using a scale. The BCS is used by veterinarians across the country, and you’ve probably seen a printed copy of this chart hanging in your veterinarian’s office. This chart gives you visual clues on what to look for to see if your dog is underweight, just the right weight, or overweight.
As you can see from the chart, it is simply a slight difference between being too thin or too fat and an ideal body weight. This is obviously because of the size of the dogs. For humans, an extra 5 pounds is often imperceptible at 3% of a 150-pound person’s body weight. But for dogs, an extra 5 pounds could be 10% of your 50-pound dog’s body weight.
Again, it is important to note that you should discuss this with your veterinarian. But hopefully this will give you a good idea if your dog is fitter or bigger.
Top 3 Things Dogs at a Healthy Weight Do
This quiz takes into account the keys to a healthy dog. Your dog needs three things to stay healthy. Here’s a closer look at each.
Balanced diet
A healthy diet is important for dogs. Everyone loves giving their dog a treat, but those calories add up. Be sure to feed your dog according to the information on the product you purchase. This usually depends on the dog’s weight, so make sure you don’t overfeed. People guilty of overfeeding their dogs are often those who don’t follow up by “just filling the bowl when it’s empty.” This is usually based on race. Some breeds need measured amounts in the morning and evening and they swallow them all at once. It is generally the beagles And Labrador Retrievers. Other breeds graze more. If your dog is grazing, be sure to give him a measured amount based on his weight.
One thing you CAN always refill when empty is the water bowl. Dogs need water daily. A simple rule is to think that your dog should drink an ounce of water corresponding to his body weight. So, a 10-pound dog should drink 10 ounces of water; a 50 pound dog should drink 50 ounces of water, and so on. But overall, you won’t make a mistake making sure your dog’s water bowl is always full.
And the treats? Very often we want to offer treats to our dogs in exchange for rewards. There are other things you can give your dog besides treats. Try these alternatives:
- Ice cubes (yes, they love the crunch!). Make it a game where you drag it across the floor.
- Praise! Your dog loves a simple “Good boy” or “Good girl” from you. They love to make you happy!
- Glyde™ Mobility Chew Joint supplements for dogs are all-natural and provide key ingredients for healthy joints. Glyde is good for them, and your dog will think it’s a treat when you know better!
Exercise
Exercise. On average, dogs need at least 20 to 45 minutes of exercise per day. Ideally, your dog will get a full hour of exercise per day, 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. Sometimes it is difficult to achieve this every day due to busy schedules. Try to average 30 minutes a day. One of the best things for your dog is going for walks outside. Walking your dog is both physical and mental work for your dog, as he can enjoy the outdoor environment and smell all the smells. But throwing the ball or Frisbee and playing fetch counts. If you rely on your dog going to the bathroom for exercise, that’s simply not enough unless you throw the ball for him while he’s outside.
Sufficient sleep
On average, most dogs spend about 50% of their day sleeping, or about 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Puppies, large breed dogs, and older dogs may sleep more, while small breed dogs and working dogs may sleep less.
If you notice your dog sleeping more than usual, be sure to check his reaction when he wakes up. Most dogs wake up, stretch and come back. If they are slow to move or don’t seem motivated to get up, it’s time to see the vet.
Health Problems Associated with Overweight Dogs
The reason it is important for your dog to maintain a healthy weight is due to the health problems that typically accompany it. Some specific problems that puppies can develop due to excess weight include:
- Arthritis, joint damage and joint pain
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiac disease
- Reduced stamina and stamina during exercise
- Reduced liver function due to fatty liver
Overweight Dogs Are More Likely to Suffer from Arthritis
There is a vicious cycle when your dog is overweight. When your dog is overweight, it is more difficult to exercise due to increased joint stress from the extra weight. More weight leads to less activity and less movement, and your dog doesn’t move as much as before. We call this the joint pain cycle. Change is hard, but with a plan in place, you can see improvement.
Break the cycle of joint pain
It is difficult to break the cycle as it continues, as shown in the illustration. Remember, any step you take in a healthy direction is a big improvement. Give yourself grace and allow yourself and your dog the opportunity to add healthier activities to benefit both of you. Even though you can’t do it all in one week, here are some tips you can keep in mind to keep your dog fit and healthy.
- Exercise should be a key part of your daily activity. If you could increase the amount of walking and exercise with your dog from 30 minutes per day to 1 or 2 hours per day, you and your dog will see many health benefits.
- Balanced diet. It is important to follow the instructions on the package of your dog food. Since each product is different, it is important to read them for the best advice on how much food your dog needs. Dogs also need plenty of water, so make sure their water bowl is never empty. Keep treats to a minimum and add nutritional supplements as an alternative to treats.
- Add a common supplement, like Glyde Mobility Chews for dogs. This powerful joint supplement has strong scientific backing to promote healthy joints. Glyde is the only joint supplement with proven levels of key ingredients green-lipped mussel (GLM), glucosamine and chondroitin that work together to help reduce inflammation and pain, improve function and slow down the progression of joint damage and arthritis. With Glyde, protecting your dog’s joints is as simple as giving them a daily chew that they treat as a treat.
Consider speaking with your veterinarian for advice on your dog’s weight and health. Hopefully this information will provide you with details on how you can stay on track or make positive improvements to help your dog live a long and active life.
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