Is Your Dog Overweight?
Obesity in dogs is a more common problem than Australian pet owners realise, so much so that one in three Australian dogs are overweight.
And while it’s hard to deny that chubby dogs are cute, it's impossible to deny that chubby dogs are facing serious health risks.
How to tell if your dog is overweight
Every dog is different and you should always talk to your veterinarian about their weight before taking any extreme measures.
That being said, take a look at your dog and consider the following:
Is it hard/impossible to see their ribs, spine, or waistline?
Are they panting even when it’s cool and they haven’t been exercising?
Are they tired more than normal?
Do they need help getting into the car or onto the couch?
Is it hard to get them in the mood for running around or playing games?
Is their face looking rounder or more chubby?
Ticking a few boxes? It might be time to book your pet in for a checkup and weigh in.
Does it matter if my dog is overweight?
Considering that one in three Australian dogs are overweight, we see our fair share of obese dogs come through our doors. It does matter if your pet is overweight as they’ll be at risk of health implications like:
Diabetes
Arthritis
Heart disease
More than that, their quality of life won’t be as amazing as it could be because they could suffer from respiratory issues, hormone problems and urogenital disorders.
What to do if your pet might be overweight
Before taking away your pet’s favourite treats and taking them to the gym, book your dog in for a checkup and weigh in. We can tell you where their weight should be sitting on the scale and how to get it there.
If your pet is fit and healthy, here are some tips to keep them that way as they get older:
Don’t give them your scraps and leftovers
Aside from the fact that many of our favourite foods are poisonous to our dogs, feeding your pet scraps, as well as their food, could lead to overfeeding.
Maintain a feeding schedule
Some vets recommend breaking up your dog’s meals into several smaller portions throughout the day but it can be pretty hard to do that with a busy schedule. Try keeping track of when you feed your pet each day and stick to it so that you don’t accidentally feed them twice or too close to exercising times.
Buy them the good stuff
A lot of pet foods on the market are loaded with high fat and low protein and fibre which is the opposite of what you’d want if you’re trying to help your pet lose weight. Check the labels on your pet foods when you buy them or speak to the experts for recommendations for your pet.
Get started now
Don’t delay your pet’s health. Click here to book your dog for a checkup and weigh in at your local vet, or talk to us on (07) 4630 8399 to get started.
