Paunchy Pooch? Here's How to Help Them Lose Weight
When you suspect that a loved one isn't looking after themselves to the point that it's harming their health, sometimes some tough love is necessary. You might need to step in and offer assistance as needed to help them to overcome the problem. Of course, this can also be true when the loved one in question is your dog. Just as with humans, being overweight can be extremely detrimental to a dog's health, leading to a number of complications. When your dog has become overweight, how can you help them to shift those extra kilos?
Medical Issues
A trip to the vet can be beneficial in order to rule out any medical complications that might have led to your dog's weight gain. Issues such an underactive thyroid or an overactive adrenal gland can contribute to a dog gaining weight and can lead to further complications. If an underlying condition is suspected, your vet can treat or manage the condition, which is a step in the right direction when it comes to achieving a healthy weight for your dog. You might also wish to discuss your dog's diet with the vet.
Diet
Your vet might simply suggest reducing the amount of food your dog receives, perhaps as a staggered daily reduction until the ideal amount is achieved. It might also be that the type of commercial dog food your dog receives is too high in fat for the amount of fat-burning exercise your dog receives. Your vet might even suggest discontinuing the usage of a commercial dog food in favour of raw ingredients. Australia has the benefit of having kangaroo meat widely available, and it can be a good choice for your dog as it's low in fat, yet high in protein. Of course, a sensible diet should also be combined with exercise.
Exercise
Some dogs simply don't enjoy an excessive amount of exercise, which can make this aspect of their weight loss plan somewhat problematic. If they prefer a gentle stroll as opposed to a brisk walk, it might be necessary to simply increase the duration and frequency of these walks. Though it takes longer, it can be a more pragmatic approach than forcing your dog to run. You could also consider other forms of cardio. Encourage your dog to go swimming if an appropriate body of water exists nearby (you should check with your local council, as dogs might be banned from some rivers and lakes). You might also be lucky enough to live close to a dogs-only swimming pool. Even if someone is at home during the day, you could place your dog in doggy daycare several times during the week to encourage playing. Though the short bursts of energy that your dog exerts when playing with other dogs might not seem like much, they can have a cumulative effect.
With some consistency and tough love, your dog will be able to shake those extra kilos before too long.