The Remedy for Obese Dogs

Try to feel around the ribs and spine of your dog. Are you able to locate both with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones? If you can't, then you have an overweight dog.

If this is the case, your dog is not alone. According to a 2011 study, 53% of dogs are overweight or obese. Every time you visit your vet, ask them to evaluate yourdog’s size at every check-up. As a rule of thumb, 15% above that weight is obese; zero to 15% is overweight.

So how do we help our dogs from weight gain or with losing weight? Hit the scales periodically (weekly or monthly) to make sure your dog is on track. There would be a scale at your vet's office to feel free to use them. And don't forget to ask your vet on what is the optimal weight for your dog.

 Also, don't overindulge your canine with treats or people food. I know our dogs love food and we love them so we feed them. But its not the dog food that's the culprit. It usually the treats or snacks between meals. Don't give in immediately to whining for snacks or treats.

In addition, if your dog is overweight, you must know the correct serving size of its food. Companies often place information on labels or include charts on their web sites. But because many variables, such as size, are factored into the equation, get advice from your veterinarian on how often and how much to feed your dog.

If you have found out that your dog really needs to slim down, put him on a diet. Consider everything he eats on a daily basis, from the actual meals, to treats, snacks, everything. Find out what needs to be cut out. If your really can't resist giving treats to you dogs, choose healthy alternatives, such as veggies or rice cakes, and decide at the beginning of each day exactly how many the dog is allowed.

Another option is reducing portions. Immediately cut daily food intake by 15% to 20% for a six- to eight-week period, then analyze the results. Ask you vet on what amount of calories is needed to be cut down per day to lose weight.

Another great tactic is by adding probiotics to their diet. Probiotics supports weight loss or normal weight, which is really good for your fat canine. I strongly recommend my dog's current supplement the OmNutra Pet Essentials Premium Probiotics For Dogs and Cats. This dog probiotics product is specially formulated for your pets and contains 3 billion CFU per scoop. It is the best probiotics for dogs for it will maintain the proper balance of intestinal microflora and is key to extending their lifespan. MY dog is really in shape now and have gone on the obese line. Proud owner here!

If you have done everything and the medication didn't do the trick maybe its a medical issue which  likely triggered the weight gain.. It maybe hormonal imbalances, diabetes, heart problems and the like. Consult your veterinarian immediately. 

 Aim for gradual weight loss and expect significant improvement to take several months. The ideal would be a loss of 1% to 2% of the initial weight per week. Once you've successfully maintained or loss the extra weight of your dog, stick to the diet that worked.