Just like their human companions, dogs and cats can have health problems. Some have conditions that shorten their lives, and these are things you may not be able to do much about. On the other hand, pets like dogs can have conditions that can be easily reversed, but if they are not, they could shorten the life of that dog. If you see your favorite dog gaining weight and you know it’s just too heavy, there are a few things you need to do to keep your best friend happy, healthy, and with you as long as possible.
Dog weight gain can mean something is wrong, but it usually just means your dog is eating too much and not moving enough. If you live in an apartment and have a large dog, this is part of your problem. Dogs aren’t meant to live in such small places, and unless you can give them space to run freely without having to worry about them biting someone, they really are better off somewhere else. However, if you already have them, you need to find new ways to give them the exercise they need.
Exercise can be as simple as taking a few walks every day, which you may already be doing with your dog. This helps keep the dog’s weight gain to a minimum, and can even help them shed extra pounds. Instead of walking with them long enough for them to relieve themselves, continue. They will enjoy a nice long walk and so will you. If you don’t have much time to do this several times a day, look into hiring a local dog walker to take this task off your hands. You save time and your dog gets the exercise he desperately wants and needs.
Exercise, or lack thereof, is not the only reason for a dog’s excess weight. Some people simply feed their dogs the wrong foods or in the wrong amounts. There are three basic types of dog food that you can get for your best friend. One is for puppies, one is for adult dogs, and then there is a formula for senior dogs. What you may not know about these is that they all have different types of vitamins for each age group, and they also have different calories included per serving. Senior dogs do not need as many calories as adult dogs and puppies. Make sure you feed the right food and portions for your dog’s health.
Another cause of weight gain in dogs is feeding them human food. It’s nice to share what you have with your best friend, and it’s nice to have someone who will happily eat the leftovers, but you have to watch what you feed them and how often you feed them. If they are young, full of energy and have plenty of opportunities to exercise, feeding them something from the table may not be too bad, but watch as they get older how much they eat as they slow down and get older. Table scraps could very well be the problem. It can be difficult, but limit the food you give people for the sake of their health and longevity.