A Diet for an Overweight Dog
Obesity is a serious health problem in dogs. Overweight dogs can suffer from diseases like diabetes and heart disease, or they can become lame from too much body weight. Feeding your dog a nutritional diet in proper portions is key to getting your obese dog back to a healthy weight.
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Obesity in Dogs
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Obesity in dogs is becoming more and more common. According to the website Pet Place, 25 to 40 percent of dogs are obese or will likely become obese. As with humans, the main causes of obesity in dogs are over-eating and under-exercising.
Diet Dog Food
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Several varieties of diet dog food are available. The more formulated diet foods are available only via a prescription from a veterinarian. Diet dog foods are low in fat and high in fiber, according to the website Pet Education. Consult your veterinarian before opting for diet food because it is not the best solution for all dogs. Instead, some dogs will benefit from smaller portions of their normal food.
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Raw Dog Food
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Some pet owners prefer to feed their dogs a homemade diet made primarily of raw foods. You can do this with healthy-weight dogs as well as those that are obese. All dogs need protein, fiber, soluble carbohydrates and fat. These can come from meats as well as starches like rice and corn. Obese dogs should consume a low-carb diet, so control portions of things like starches. Foods such as yogurt, blueberries and apples are good for dogs, according to the website Vet Info.
Exercise
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Many dogs are overweight because they don't get enough exercise. Dogs should get two or three walks a day at a minimum. Engage your dog in a game of fetch or take it hiking. Keeping your dog active will decrease its chances of becoming or remaining obese.
Considerations
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Sometimes an underlying health problem, not over-eating, is the cause of obesity in a dog. Dogs can suffer from thyroid imbalances, heart problems and diabetes, for example. If you put your dog on a restricted diet and see no improvement after a week or two, consult your vet. She may do more tests on your dog to pinpoint the problems.
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