Obesity is a significantly increasing problem the world. This problem is not confined to the human population. Dogs are another species that are starting to tip the scale. Obesity can cause health issues that are similar to what a human would suffer from because of obesity such as: diabetes, heart disease, and bone problems.
As humans, we have a lot of time to change our habits to become healthier, as we have a life expectancy that exceeds 70 years. But, dogs have an average life expectancy from 10 to 13 years. If a dog is overweight, they have very much shorter amount of time to get healthier.
One way of getting a healthier dog is dieting your dog. You dog’s diet can be changed by decreasing the amount of food it receives on a daily basis or by changing that type of food it eats.
Changing your dog’s diet should be done at a gradual rate. If not, your dog’s body will not be used to the changes, which can cause behavioral and other problems.
This rule should be followed very closely and at a very constant and slow rate, especially when changing the type of food is being changed. But, when you are only changing the amount for a healthier dog, the change can be at a faster rate, but not too fast.
One problem in the diet of many dogs is the consuming of human food. Feeding you dog food from your table can have very negative effects on its health mentally and physically. Mentally, your dog can grow accustomed to eating table food and refuse to eat its dog food. Physically, human food can be very fattening for dogs, even more so than to humans.
Depending on your dog, dieting your dog can be very easy or very hard. If you want a healthier dog right from the start, a healthy diet can be fed to them from the developmental stages when it is a puppy. If you have a middle aged dog that is used to eating your family’s table scraps, the dog could be stubborn when it comes to changing its diet.
If you are considering dieting your dog, then you should make sure that you consult with your dog’s veterinarian to make sure that it is safe to follow. Changing your dog’s diet is potentially dangerous, especially if you don’t know if your dog has allergies to dog foods.
Also, consulting with the vet can be very beneficial to your decision to the type of diet your dog should be on.
Many people choose to just cut down the amount of food their dog eats. But homemade dog food can be even better for a healthier dog. With homemade dog food, you will know exactly what is going into your dog’s stomach and you can add some variety to their diet, which will make them happy.
Along with dieting your dog, exercise is also needed for a healthier dog. Depending on your dog’s breed and the recommendations from a vet, your dog should receive exercise everyday.
Dieting your dog can enjoy a longer and healthier life when you it on a diet. Make sure that you follow guidelines from a veterinarian and choose the best diet for your dog.
The balance of fatty acids in its diet influences the condition of your pet’s skin and coat. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids may help reduce itching associated with hot spots due not only to their impact on coat and skin but also their anti-inflammatory properties. Healthy skin generally results in less itching and less shedding.
