Have you noticed that your furry friend has been putting on a bit of weight recently? Weight gain in dogs is something that needs to be taken seriously, as it can lead to long-term health issues for your pet. It is best to act as soon as possible in order to get your dog back to a healthy weight. Below are our top tips to prevent your dog from gaining too much weight!
Go to the vet
If you are concerned about your dog’s weight gain, contact your vet as soon as possible. They will have the best idea of what the solution is for your pet. Your vet will know what kind of weight each breed of dog should be and can therefore let you know how concerning or dangerous any weight gain can be for your pet.
Going to see the vet will allow you to determine whether or not your dog’s weight gain is due to lifestyle choices or an undiagnosed underlying health condition.
If there is a health condition that needs to be treated, your vet will help you decide on the best treatment for your dog and will likely prescribe them antibiotics to help them out.
If it is simply a lifestyle change that is needed, then this is much easier to deal with. Your vet may recommend a new exercise regime for your dog, or recommend different food for them.
Cutting out treats
Dog treats are one of the most common reasons for your furry friends to gain weight. Giving your pet a treat as a reward for good behaviour is a natural response for many dog owners.
However, try rewarding your dog with toys or attention instead. Playing with your dog and showering them with affection lets your dog know that they are being rewarded just as giving them a treat would, however, playtime is much better for their physical health than snacks.
Changing their exercise regime
Changing up your dog’s exercise regime can also help to prevent your dog from gaining too much weight.
Taking them to the park for a game of fetch a couple of times a week or taking a slightly longer route on your daily walk are small changes that can make a big difference to the physical wellbeing of your dog.
Portion control
Overfeeding dogs is a common error that many pet owners make, as you do not have to refill your dog’s food bowl every time it is empty. Try and stick to set meal times to avoid giving your pet more food than is necessary.
The amount of food you give your pet at any given time is also something to bear in mind. Different dogs will need different amounts of food. Pet food sites such as Bella & Duke help you calculate the amount of food you should be giving your dog based on the breed and weight of the dog to help prevent you from overfeeding your pets.
Final thoughts
It can be easy to accidentally overindulge your pet to the point that it induces weight gain. However, it is relatively simple to counter this. As long as you are keeping an eye on your dog’s diet and ensuring that they are getting regular exercise, your furry friend should stay at a healthy weight.
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