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So maybe you spoiled your dog a little too much. No one can blame you, we love our dogs and want them to be happy. Maybe your dog is getting older and starting to slow down. Or maybe you are just feeding your dog the wrong dog food. Whatever the cause, your dog’s weight gain can be dangerous to their health. The best way to combat weight gain is by putting your dog on a weight loss diet, including a healthy weight loss dog food.
How Do You Know Your Dog Is Overweight?
The easiest way to tell is by looking at your dog. If they have obvious signs of weight gain like excess fat, then they are probably overweight. You can also feel your dog. If you cannot feel your dog’s ribs through their fat, they may be overweight. You can also weigh your dog and compare your dog to the average weight of their breed. Here is an image that can help you determine if your dog is overweight or not.
Beyond physical signs, there are other ways to tell if your dog is overweight. If your dog is lethargic and lacking energy or if your dog has to take a lot of breaks during physical activity, they may be overweight. You can also tell if they get winded easily or pant heavily during light physical activity. You can also take your dog to the veterinarian and get their BMI (body mass index) checked. The body mass index tells what percentage of your dog is fat and from their you and your veterinarian can determine if your dog is overweight.
Why Is Important Your Dog Stays A Healthy Weight
Overweight dogs can be cute and for the most part it seems like weight gain isn’t a big issue. However, like with people, obesity in dogs can cause numerous and serious health problems. Obesity in dogs can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and lung disorders. Obesity can also cause arthritis and joint problems from the excess weight. Dog obesity is also linked to cancer and tumor growth. It can also cause immune deficiency making your dog more susceptible to sickness, disease, and infections. So it is really important for the health of your dog to maintain a normal weight.
Consult Your Veterinarian
If you think your dog is overweight, the best thing you can do is consult your veterinarian. Beyond just measuring the BMI and checking to make sure your dog is at a healthy, your veterinarian can make sure that any weight gain is the product of a larger issue. Some illnesses can lead to weight gain, while others can cause bloating that looks like weight gain but may be a digestion problem. Once your veterinarian checks the health of your dog and gives you the okay you can start your dog on a weight loss diet.
Lifestyle Changes
Beyond just changing your dog’s diet. You should look at implementing some lifestyle changes. You may need to cut back on treats and people food. Your dog may need more exercise or active entertainment during the day. You also need to plan out a feeding schedule so your dog can be on a good regimen. If you implement some basic lifestyle changes, then you can start looking at feeding them some of the weight loss brands listed here.
Wellness Core Dry Dog Food Reduced Fat
Wellness Core Dry Dog Food is a grain free organic dog food that uses only natural ingredients. Wellness core uses only whole foods and does not contain simple carbohydrates that can make your dog gain weight. Wellness has a high protein, low fat balance that will give your dog the much needed energy to burn those extra pounds. It also contains probiotics and fiber to help aid your dog’s digestion, so it is getting only what it needs from the food. Wellness Core is also fortified with vitamins and nutrients so that even with the reduced calories and fat intake, your dog is getting all the nutrients it needs.
Premium Edge Healthy Weight 1 Weight Loss Formula
Premium Edge Healthy Weight 1 dog food is a high protein low carbohydrate kibble. It contains 44% protein with only 12% fat. Premium edge is fortified with the amino acid L-Carnitine which helps aid in weight loss and lean muscle production. It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin which help support joint health so when you dog becomes more active, it’s joints are protected. Premium edge also contains probiotics to help with digestion.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Adult
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Adult comes in both grain-free and whole grain. Blue Buffalo LIfe Protection is made with all natural ingredients and and 7 super foods. Blue Buffalo Life Protection is high in protein and low in fat. It is also very high in fiber at 10% content which helps aid in digestion to support weight loss. It is fortified with L-Carnitine for lean muscle development and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.
Transition
As with any change in your dog’s food you want to make sure you slowly transition them on to their new food. Monitor them for any changes in behavior to make sure that they are adapting to the new regimen. This is especially important with weight loss diets because you want to make sure the new food is effective. If a diet and exercise program is not working, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure that you are on the right track to helping your dog live a happy, healthy life.
Here are some additional weight loss dog foods you can try…
