Excess weight significantly shortens a dog's life, contributes to the development of a number of diseases and does not add attractiveness. The most common causes of obesity are overfeeding and physical inactivity. The fault for this always lies with the owner. Very rarely the problem is caused by serious illnesses, but even in this case the previous factors are at play.
It's not the dog's fault for gaining excess weight, it's the owner's.
Obesity in dogs leads to the development of:
- Cardiovascular diseases. As body weight increases, the heart works harder and over time begins to fail progressively.
- Diabetes mellitus. The sensitivity of receptors to insulin decreases. Cells stop “seeing” and using the hormone, causing blood sugar levels to rise and diabetes to develop.
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Under excess weight, joints wear out and become deformed faster, causing chronic arthritis, arthrosis, etc.
- Decreased immunity. As a result, susceptibility to infectious diseases increases.
- Decreased reproductive function.
- Load on the liver. Up to the development of fatty degeneration.
- And of course, a decrease in the overall quality of life. Obese dogs find any movement difficult and short of breath, not to mention running after a ball. They become lethargic, spend most of their time sleeping, and have a very difficult time withstanding the heat.
Obesity in a dog - the main reasons:
- binge eating,
- disturbances in the functioning of the dog’s endocrine system,
- the presence of parasites,
- lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle,
- incorrectly selected diet,
- genetic predisposition to obesity in some breeds.
There are no complex or expensive tips in this article; they are accessible to absolutely anyone, even those who are very far from everyday sports and fitness centers. The main thing is not to lose weight, but to rebuild the dog’s lifestyle and review its diet!
Amount of food
It is important to accurately calculate the required amount of food. You cannot feed your dog constantly; there should be a limited number of meals per day and a calculated portion.
Veterinarians often recommend switching your pet to a special dietary dog food for weight loss. This option will allow you to be satisfied with a small amount of food, but this portion contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements.
For your information! Dietary lines exist from many manufacturers, for example, Monge, Hills, Royal Canin, No, but there are also other premium foods.
CHAPTER 1. SPORTS FOR THE LAZY.
In fact, you don't have to change your usual lifestyle at all. All you need is a little time and desire to work with your dog. Take a closer look at what your four-legged friend loves most?
1. The dog loves to fetch balls. What a score! The only thing we need is to find a fairly hilly area and stand on top of a hill or small hill, naturally in a safe place, away from cars and roads. Start throwing the ball down cheerfully and with enthusiasm, and as soon as the dog grabs it, squat down, pat yourself on the knee and cheerfully call the dog by name or shouting “bring the ball!” As soon as the ball is delivered to you, praise the dog and offer to exchange the ball for a piece of the most delicious treat.
The dog must be fairly hungry before the walk. Give yourself a moment to catch your breath and throw the ball again. There is no need to throw often; after a few throws, switch the dog to something more pleasant for him. Smoothly progress this exercise up to ten times in several passes. To awaken your dog's interest in fetching, teach him to play at home with interactive balls and dumbbells, where you can hide a piece of meat. Don't be discouraged if things don't go smoothly right away. Sometimes you can whip up the dog’s interest by running to the ball for a race. Pretend that you are taking out a tasty treat from the ball itself.
2. The dog loves to dig holes. Just great! The only thing you need to make clear is where it is appropriate to dig and where it is better to refrain from doing so. So a field, a forest, sand is a great place, but mom’s favorite pink cous should be taboo!
