Controlling Your Dog's Weight

Attempting to regulate your dog's weight can
generally be a difficult task to fulfill. Like
humans, dogs can become chubby. They can also
become seriously under a healthy weight if they
're not fed a nutritious, well balanced diet.
Here's a few tips to help you better manage your
dog's weight.

Have your dog examined by a professional
veterinarian on a regular basis.

Taking your dog to a professional veterinarian
will help you determine what your dog's normal
weight should be. A veterinarian will also check
for any underlying medical conditions that could
eventually affect your pets weight. If possible,
try to have your dog examined at least once a
year.

Feed your dog a high-quality dog food.

The best dog food contains a lot of protein,
whole meats, grains, fruits, and veggies. Avoid
dog foods that contain wheat gluten,
preservatives, meat by-products, and artificial
sweeteners. Before you purchase any brand of dog
food, first take the time to thoroughly research
the brand. If you really want to control your
animals weight, consider making your dog's food
at home. Homemade dog food usually consists of
rice, organic meat, oatmeal, eggs, fruit and
vegetables.

Avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your dog.

Feeding your dog a high-quality dog food can
help you control your dog's weight, but only if
you feed Fido the proper amount of food.
Overfeeding your dog can lead to obesity. On the
other hand, underfeeding your dog can lead to
severe malnutrition. If you want to determine
the correct amount of food to feed, simply flip
the pet food bag over and search for the
company's feeding chart. Most dog food companies
are required to provide feeding charts or
recommendations on the back of their bags. If
the food you chose doesn't offer specific
recommendations, you may want to consult with
your veterinarian to determine the correct
dosage. If your pet is very active, be sure to
increase its daily food intake. If, on the other
hand, your dog is lazy or inactive, consider
feeding it a bit less than normal.

Walk or play with your dog on a regular basis.

If you really want to control Fido's weight,
you're going to need to provide your dog with
plenty of exercise. Be wary though, as too much
exercise can lead to a thin frame and other
health conditions. If possible try to involve
other dogs in your pup's exercise routine.
Social interaction can improve your dog's
overall health.

Cut the dog treats.

Cutting back on dog treats is one of the best,
if not the best, way an individual can go about
controlling their weight. If you don't want to
quit giving treats, consider giving healthier
treats. Apple slices dipped in peanut butter and
homemade oatmeal biscuits are a few healthier dog
treat ideas.

Controlling your dog's weight is possible with
a little effort. Whether your dog is overweight
or underweight, don't expect an immediate
change. Controlling your dog's weight is a
life-long endeavor and shouldn't be rushed.

----------------------------------------------------
As with humans, a healthy, balanced and
nutritional diet will control your pets weight.
Resourced http://www.chudleys.com

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=236608

>