October 12 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. I wanted to take the chance to share a few facts with you, as well as 6 simple ways to get your dog in shape!

Did you know that 52% of dogs and 58% of cats are overweight or obese? Did you know that pet obesity is totally preventable? Did you also know that most pet parents don’t even know their cat or dog is overweight? To get us started off right, here is a handy chart to judge your dog’s weight! There are more detailed charts out there, but I thought I’d use a simple one for you guys!

 

There are many health risks involved in pet obesity including arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, certain cancers, heart and respiratory disease, and other problems. According to the Purina Lifespan Study, obesity takes almost two years off a dog’s life. 5 pounds of extra weight on your large breed dog is about the same as you packing around 10 extra pounds. Even more shocking? Those same 5 extra pounds on a small breed dog is the equivalent of about 20 extra pounds on a human! That’s crazy! So, what can you do to prevent or treat your pet’s obesity problem?

1. Feed them on a schedule.

Many people equate food with love. If you have food out free-choice for your dog (or cat!), you are likely overfeeding them! You should have set meal times, and use an accurate measuring cup to ration out your pet’s food. You should check the chart on the back of their feed bag for suggested amounts. Keep in mind that every dog is an individual. Your dog may need less or more food than is suggested, so adjust the amounts as necessary. If your dog doesn’t finish their meal within 15 minutes, remove the food and feed it again at dinner time.

2. Get them active!

Just like humans, in order for your dog to lose weight and get in shape, they need to exercise! Swimming is a great exercise for dogs who are very obese and have trouble getting around. It is much better for their joints, too! Walking, hiking and jogging can be great for your dog, too. Just be sure to keep the running to a minimum. All those extra pounds put a real strain on your dog’s joints, ligaments, and heart. Fetch and other active games can be fun, but remember to keep them short!

3. Reduce Portions

As mentioned above, make sure that you aren’t overfeeding your dog! Take the time to calculate how many calories a day your dog is consuming, and measure this against what a dog of their *ideal* weight and age should weight. If you are over feeding, cut back on their kibble. Just take it slow; you don’t want ot starve your dog! Aim for them to lose about 1% to 2% of their body weight a week. You may also want to switch to a lower calorie feed or add in green beans. Green beans and other similar veggies are low in calories, but still filling and tasty for your dog. Soaking your dog’s kibble in water can also expand the food so they still feel full, even with less food. I like using Sojos as part of my dog’s meals! It is lower in calories (by about half!) than their kibble, but tasty, nutritious, and filling!

4. Train with their Kibble (or other low-calorie treats)

While our dogs may love those store bought biscuits or hot dogs, many dog treats are high in calories (and other not-so-good things!). I always suggest using part of your dog’s daily rations as training treats throughout the day. You can also try green beans, carrots, and many other veggies! There are also many low-calorie treat options on the market. Here are a bunch of healthy snack and treat ideas.. and a few to stay away from!  Never feed them seeds or pits, or anything you wouldn’t eat! Contact your veterinarian right away if you think any of these foods are making your dog sick.   

5. Weigh Your Dog Regularly

Almost all vet’s offices, and even some pet stores, will allow you to use their dog scales free of charge! The Pet Place in Boone (at the Shoppes at Shadowline) has a great scale for even the biggest of dogs! Knowing exactly what your dog weighs can help you judge how effective your plan for their weight loss is! For smaller dogs, you can figure out your dog’s weight by holding them as you step on the scale. Then, put them down and measure your weight without them. Subtract that from your combined weight, and you have your dog’s weight!

6. Find the right chew!

Dogs LOVE TO CHEW!  They were pretty much born to do it! So, if you can provide them with the right, healthy, edible chew, you can meet their biological needs and keep them happy and satisfied. Dried tendons, steer sticks, and similar chews work well unless they’re small enough for the dog to swallow. Fresh, RAW bones, antlers, and No Hides chews are also great options. Some dogs go crazy for roasted sweet potatoes! Whatever you do, don’t give them rawhide. Rawhide is very toxic and should be avoided at all costs.

So, how does your dog’s weight stack up? What changes do you plan to make to their lifestyle to help them live a happier, healthier, LONGER life?