Return to site

Overweight Dog? Here's How You Can Tell Tucson Veterinary Specialist Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson

 An overweight dog is not a healthy or happy dog, and the dangers of chronic weight issues are too great to ignore. While it might be hard work that lasts a lifetime, keeping your dog at a healthy weight will ensure a lifetime of health and joy for both of you. If you don't know if your dog is overweight or not, it's best to seek professional help. Ideally, your veterinarian can help you make that judgment. But between visits, you can look for some signs at home. No matter your dog's breed, you should be able to feel all of your dog's ribs without a thick layer of fat over them. Large dog breeds may even developcanine orthopedic issues, especially when they’re still growing, if they become overweight. Adjusting the amount you feed your dog is also an important step. Along with managing your dog’s weight, Bil-Jac Reduced Fat Formula can also help maintain a beautiful coat and muscle tone – along with a delicious chicken flavor dogs love! Your dieting pooch doesn’t have to miss out on tasty treats, either. If you notice that your dog has become a couch potato, has trouble walking, exhibits trouble breathing when walking, and generally appears to have trouble moving about, they might be fat. Also, if youfree-choice feed your dogthroughout the day, this can encourage obesity. If your pooch is looking a bit more pudgy than usual, it’s actually quite common. The battle of the bulge isn’t just something people face — so do pets. In fact, according to a 2018 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention,55.8 percent of dogs in the United Statesare overweight or obese. And that extra weight can cause a lot ofhealth issues for your dog, includingcanine diabetes, heart problems, and painful arthritis. If your pooch is a healthy weight you should be able to feel their ribs without a thick layer of fat over them. Your dog's chest should be wider than their abdomen, and there will be a noticeable tuck-up from chest to stomach about where their waist should be . The feeding recommendations on a dog food label offer a guide on how to use that product to keep your dog’s weight under control. Monitoring their portions is important for maintaining their health and keeping off any extra pounds. By doing a simple rib check, you can determine if your dog is at a healthy weight. Also, dogs that are overweight have difficulty moving, or need someone’s help to move.Also observe the pace at which your dog moves and the duration of your dog’s moving. Moving slowly and/or not being able to walk or run for very long are symptoms of being overweight. The final test to visually determine if your dog is overweight is to look at your dog from above. Your vet will be able to examine your pup regularly for early signs of illness and monitor your pet's weight and overall health. Their shape should be wider at the chest and thinner at the abdomen. If you do not see their abdominal area tucked up toward the rear, they could be overweight. Though your pudgy pooch’s smile may find a way to win over your heart, you may also want to consider your dog could be overweight. https://reallifewithpets.com/health/what-to-do-if-your-dog-is-overweight/

https://reallifewithpets.com/health/what-to-do-if-your-dog-is-overweight/