weight

There is a lot of information out about canine obesity and weight and some times it is hard to wade through all of the opinions and information to get to the truth.  These are 5 common thoughts on canine obesity and weight that are myths. 

So it is confirmed that your dog is fat.  You have done a physical inspection and have decided that on the nine point scale your dog is obese and your vet agrees.  If you have narrowed the cause down to overeating and exercising it is time for your dog to go on a diet!  Below are the steps you need to take to get your dog back into shape.

If your dog has a weight problem exercise and cutting back on food are a must.  There are tools out there to make this a much more pleasant experience for you and your dog.  The following gadgets and products can help your dog increase calories burned and decrease the amount of food consumed.

If your dog is overweight there is a good chance they got that way from being a couch potato.  One of the best ways to get weight off a dog is through exercise.  However, if you are dealing with an already overweight dog you must be careful how you reintroduce exercise into their life.  Going too quickly or encouraging the wrong activities could be detrimental to your dogs health.  Below are some great options for getting your dog started in exercising to lose weight.

Swimming

Do you have an overweight dog and you know you should not give them treats but do? You are most likely an "Over-Treater."  Like humans, too much of a good thing is bad for your dog. While they may like the taste, it is not good for their waistline. Only you have the ability to control what your dog eats and your habits might be hurting your dog.

Just like with human obesity, canine obesity can come from a variety of causes.  As an owner if your dog is becoming over weight, it is up to you to determine what the cause is.  Assuming your dog has gradually begun to put on weight you should first look at any changes in environment or diet.  If your dog has suddenly begun to get fat, you should seek veterinary assistance immediately as it could be a sign of more serious problems.  Below are some of the most common causes of canine obesity.

Some dogs carry weight better than others and what might be considered too fat for one breed could be just right for another.  When determining if your dog is fat you should go beyond just appearances and look for other indications that your dogs weight might be causing problems.

Sluggishness

When visually inspecting your dog for potential weight problems you want to look at three things.  Their ribs, their waist from above and their stomach from the side.   Even if your dog is of a healthy weight now you should inspect him to get a good understanding of what his base line weight is.  Continue inspections periodically and you will notice any changes or problems before they are too big of a problem.