A little extra weight, a lot of extra problems.
Though sometimes, it can be cute to see that extra little roll on your pooch's tummy, the health issues that little roll can cause are not so cute.
Dogs are very much like people when it comes to being overweight. A lot of the same issues that we would have with the added pounds, they have, too.
Not only can being overweight cause the obvious problems with your dogs joints and/or hips, but it can also give them diabetes, heart problems, breathing problems, skin/coat issues, and pancreatitis. During the summer months, you have to be more attentive to an overweight dog, and make sure they aren't out in the heat too long. Just like how overweight people can get much hotter than average weight people, the same is true for dogs. They can easily overheat in warmer weather (especially if they are a larger breed).
There are many varieties of weight control foods out there. Some that may be worth taking a look at are: Wellness Healthy Weight, Royal Canine's Weight Care formuals, or Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Formula. These can all be found at PetSmart and Incredipet. (You can learn more about what to feed your dog in this article- www.examiner.com/x-45834-Lexington-Dog-Health-Examiner~y2010m4d21-You-Are-What-You-Eat)
Along with starting your dog on a weight control food, you need to get them up and moving. Be understanding during this process; in general, overweight dogs don't have as high an activity level as healthy-weight dogs. Start off slow, walk down the street and back. Throw the ball in the backyard for 5-10 minutes. Then, after about a week, increase the activity just a little bit. Talk with you vet about a good program to start on. (For a few exercise ideas, check out this article -www.examiner.com/x-45834-Lexington-Dog-Health-Examiner~y2010m4d23-These-paws-were-made-for-walkin)
Talking with your vet about your dog's weight is the best place to start in your journey to get him healthy. They have products such as prescription diets (like Hills W/D formula) and weight loss medicines that can assist your dog in shedding pounds. One such medication is Slentrol. Slentrol is a liquid that you give your dog once a day. It is specifically formulated for obese dogs, has undergone years of testing in the US and Europe, and has been approved by the FDA. A survey of 337 owners whose dogs were on Slentrol found the following: 61% said their dog ran more, 47% said their dog played more, and 37% said their dog could climb stairs easier than before.
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