Does Your Dog Suffer From Obesity? 4 Natural Ways To Get The Weight Off

If you thought obesity was a problem that only plagued humans, you were mistaken. According to statistics, obesity also affects more than half the dog population in the US. If your dog is obese, it's at risk for serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart problems. Luckily, there are some things you can do to get your dog's weight under control. Here are four simple tips to help get you started.

Bring Out the Measuring Cups

You might not realize this, but your dog's food comes with servings guidelines. If you're just pouring food into the bowl, you may be overfeeding your dog, which can lead to extra weight around the middle. To help maintain a healthy weight, bring out the measuring cups, and follow the servings guidelines on the package. Your dog may seem to be hungry after being fed, but that will change once it gets used to the new serving size. Try reducing the size of the bowl. This will give your dog the impression that it's still receiving the same amount of food. You can also offer additional water at each meal.

Make Them Work for It

If your dog seems to gobble up its food without chewing, start making it work for the food. Once you pour the dry food into the bowl, place a tennis ball in the middle. Your dog will have to work around the ball to get to the food, which will force it to slow down and chew. If you have a small dog, place a golf ball in the bowl instead.

Stick with Healthy Snacks

If you and your pet enjoy evening snacks together, stick to healthier choices. Those pre-packaged snacks might be tasty, but many of them are loaded with sugar, which can add unwanted pounds to your dog. When choosing snacks for your dog, try to stick to natural, sugar-free varieties. For maximum health benefits, chop up a few carrots or an apple and let your dog snack on those.

Get Out and Walk

If your dog spends most of its day inside the house, it's time to get out and walk. Take your dog for a walk around the block once a day, or head to the local dog park for a game of catch. Your dog will appreciate the fresh air, and the added exercise will help get rid of those unwanted pounds.

If your dog is overweight, it's at risk for health problems. The tips provided here will help get your dog lose weight. For other weight-loss tips, talk to a veterinarian at Downing Center For Animal Pain Management.