Overweight of dogs

Weighing oneself is commonplace for many people, but our pets are often only weighed at the vet. Why is it important to keep an eye on the weight of the animal and how much should it weigh at all? What measures are taken against overweight of dogs?

Determining the ideal weight

• You cannot see the ribs, the spine and the pelvic bones, but you can feel them all easily and well.
• The waist should be clearly visible. Viewed from the side, the abdominal area, behind the ribcage, goes up.

If you can see the spine or the pelvic bones and feel no layer of fat at all, your darling is underweight. The opposite is the case with an overweight animal: ribs are not palpable, clearly perceptible fatty tissue, no waist (a straight line when viewed from the side or already a hanging belly).

Why should you record the weight history of your dog?

Our dogs hide diseases very well, we often only notice when it is too late. In nature, animals would show weakness and be easily attacked. So this is a natural life instinct.

If your pet slowly looses weight, although he eats normally, this can indicate many diseases, such as kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, tumors, etc. In the long run this leads to further symptoms, such as a weak immune system, muscle loss, dull coat, low blood pressure, weakness, etc.

If it increases steadily, diseases such as hypothyroidism, excessive calorie intake, etc. can develop. This often results in diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, respiratory diseases, fatty liver, and much more. As a result your sweetheart has a shortened life expectancy and a lower quality of life. Because if you are not fit, you cannot move as you would like to.

So you see, it is very important to keep track of the weight in order to detect severe weight loss or overweight of dogs early. In the TOBALIE animal profile you can regularly enter the weight and see the weight curve.

How and how often should you weigh your dog?

Small animals, especially rodents, have space on kitchen scales. Larger animals, as dogs, you can pick up and get on the scale together, then you subtract your weight to get the weight of your pet. You can also buy a large scale and teach your pet to stand on it by itself or use the scales at the vet or pet shop.

Dogs in the growth phase should still be weighed daily, later weekly. Sick dogs or seniors should also be weighed. If you have a healthy animal it is enough to enter a value once a month. In stressful phases or with a change of food you should weigh more often. If you notice a constant (unintentional) change in weight, have your animal examined by a veterinarian.

Measures against overweight of dogs

Obesity is not a blemish but should be taken seriously. If there is no disease behind it, a diet must be followed.

There is also dietary food for dogs, which is less calorie-rich and still covers all nutrients. With conventional dry food, the portion in the bowl looks small, but it expands in the stomach and often has many calories. It is best to consult a dietician and get a ration calculation.

Pay attention to which and how many treats your darling gets throughout the day and include the calories in the daily requirement. The energy value of the treats must be deducted from the main food. It is often helpful to prepare and divide the daily ration in the morning. Try healthy snacks such as fruit, vegetables or home-made cookies.

Learn to resist the puppy’s gaze and especially do not feed anything greasy, such as pig’s ears. Take a look at the ingredients of your food – sugar or too much fat is counterproductive in this case as well.

A healthy intestinal flora plays an important role. Cellulose or psyllium husks regulate the digestion. Probiotics also help to maintain a healthy intestinal flora.

Not only the right food, but also exercise is relevant. Animate your darling to walk and play or let him work out his treats. In the beginning your pet may not be very enthusiastic, but as soon as the pounds fall, the joy of movement will increase.