Health Problems Caused By Obesity In Dogs
Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and other long and low-bodied breeds that become overweight add strain to their backs and joints, making it painful or difficult for them to walk or sit. Brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs have an increased risk of breathing and respiratory problems from being overweight. In addition to shortened life expectancy, overweight and obese dogs are at higher risk for diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and cancer. Have your veterinarian monitor your dogs health and weight frequently to be sure he is losing weight and improving his overall health. Even the slightest difference will improve his overall quality of life.
Best Senior Dog Food For Weight Loss
Individual dogs are prone to weight gain in their senior years.
This is especially the case in small breeds or those that can become lazy house dogs as they get older think your graying labrador or aging golden retriever.
Senior weight loss foods cater to senior dogs metabolic needs while providing the necessary supplements to care for any health conditions older dogs can develop, such as joint and hip issues.
1. Victor Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food
Rating: 4Top Ingredients: Beef Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain MilletType: Dry
Multi-protein, nutrient-dense weight loss formula, specifically developed for dogs with joint issues that need to lose weight.
Crafted from gluten-free grains, this healthy-weight dry dog food is made from premium beef, chicken, and fish meals.
This food has been fortified with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, and amino acids.
Pros:
- Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and L-carnitine for lean muscle development
- Offers a unique VPRO blend for digestibility and immune system health
Cons:
2. Dr. Tims Metabolite Weight Management Dog Food
Rating: 4Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Whole Oat GroatsType: Dry
Premium weight management formula with several fiber sources and chicken as the primary protein with salmon meal and chicken liver meal also included.
This food is designed to speed the metabolism of older or inactive canines while providing a reduced-calorie diet to your dog.
Pros:
How To Calculate Caloriesfor Weight Loss
Once you know your dogs ideal weight, youll be able to discover the amount of calories to feed your dog daily to achieve steady weight loss.
Use the Advisors dog food calculator to determine this important number.
While most dogs will experience predictable weight loss when fed this amount each day, others may require even fewer calories. This can depend on a dogs age and activity level.
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Read The Labels Carefully
Be careful when choosing a type of weight loss diet for your dog. Always read the labels.
If you are looking to cut out grains in your dogs food because of carbohydrates, make sure that the type of dog food you are buying is not supplementing other carbohydrates into the dog food recipe.
The bag may read grain free, but when looking at the ingredients, they may have added potatoes instead.
Wet Food: Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult Weight Management
If you and your dog prefer canned food, this Purina Pro Plan weight management wet food is effective for many pet parents dogs as their primary food or as a topper for dry diet dog food. Its low in fat and calories and contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals and no preservatives. You can also Purinas Pro Plan in dry formulas.
- Protein: 9%
- Fatigue and lethargy
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How To Maintain The Ideal Weight For Your Dog
How to tell if your dog is a healthy weight? Check back in with the BCS chart mentioned earlier. While you should continue your vet checkups and discuss this with them, especially if your dog is on a weight loss plan, following the chart to get an idea of your dogs body condition score is a great starting point to figure out if youre on the right track.
Once you do get your dog to a healthy dog weight, its important to maintain that weight. While the food your dog eats is a large part of this, managing their diet as a whole is another important piece of the puzzle. For example, make sure youre using controlled feeding times and not free feeding. Free feeding doesnt allow you to track how much your dog is actually eating and is counterintuitive to portion control, a main factor in weight loss. Make sure you pick feeding times and stick to them the best you can since this will
With portion control, make sure you determine how much food your dog should be eating and stick to that. Feeding charts are a great starting point, but many factors go into how much food your dog should actually eatweight loss includedwhich is why your vet will be able to give you a more specific amount to feed at dinner time.
Now Onto 20 Of Our Favorite Homemade Dog Food Recipes Available Online
On a healthy short-haired dog, the homemade dog food recipe for weight loss two to three ribs should be obvious when the dog is standing casually and on a long-haired or fluffy dog, the rib cage should be easily felt below a thin layer of padding. So if you have the time and inclination, homemade dog food may be a great option for your pooch. To effectively help your dog lose the weight he or she needs to lose, a lifestyle change must occur in addition to a diet change. Her book compiles recipes that are catered to dogs with special health concerns. For convenience I buy rolls of frozen ground turkey, bags of frozen peas and carrots, brown rice and all bran cereal.
On a healthy short-haired dog, the last two to three ribs should be obvious when the dog is standing casually and on a long-haired or fluffy dog, the rib cage should be homemade dog food recipe for weight loss felt below a thin layer of padding. What do Huskies Eat? Corn, wheat, gluten, and white rice are all empty calories helping to fill the dog up but not looking at the quality of the calories. The most common source of fiber is fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, nutrient deficiency can lead to death if it’s not corrected. Assisting Fluffy in her weight loss program can have the added benefit of helping you to lose those few extra pounds as well.
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Victor Senior Healthy Weight
- WEIGHT MANAGEMENT DOG FOOD: This super premium weight management…
- GLUTEN FREE DRY DOG FOOD: Packed with premium-quality beef, fish…
- HIP & JOINT HEALTH: This VICTOR Purpose dog food provides…
- PROPRIETARY VPRO BLEND: Every VICTOR dog kibble formula begins…
If you click the link above and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
This recipe is designed with senior dogs in mind, and it offers the perfect blend of life stage nutrients that he needs for his aging body and less energetic lifestyle, with less fat and calories compared to other senior kibbles. This gluten free recipe is made with beef, fish, chicken, pork and blood meal, which are not only full of protein but they are all a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which is one of the most important ingredients for senior dogs with aging joints, particularly if they are carrying a lot of extra weight. It lists L-Carnitine to help your pooch burn a little more fat given his idle lifestyle.
We love that this recipe is designed with the heavy senior pooch in mind, so you can be sure that not only will he lose weight with this recipe, but it includes the specific life stage nutrients that he needs in his later years.
How To Get Your Overweight Dog To Lose Weight Healthily
May 07, 2013 | By David Jackson, AllAboutDogFood.co.uk
Dog obesity has been on the rise for years but new research shows that our best friends’ weight problem is rapidly reaching crisis point.
The research, conducted by the PFMA , reveals that nearly half of the pets seen by vets are overweight. As a proportion of the total UK dog population, that would equate to almost 4 million British dogs that are carrying too much weight and living shorter lives as a result.
In fact, obesity can reduce a dogs life by up to two years with massively increased incidence of heart disease and diabetes. Overweight dogs are also much more likely to suffer from joint problems, high blood pressure and breathing difficulties.
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How Should I Begin A Weight Loss Program For My Dog
Theoretically, weight loss seems simple enough: fewer calories in plus more calories out equals weight loss. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as that.
You should never put your dog on a diet without the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. There may be an underlying medical condition that is causing or contributing to your dog’s excess weight. Some common diseases associated with weight gain include hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism . These diseases, along with others, should be eliminated as possible causes or contributors to your dog’s weight problem prior to beginning a diet. Too many dogs start on a diet and fail to lose weight simply because the diet was not the problem – a disease was. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and recommend blood tests to ensure that there are no obstacles to weight loss for your pet.
Is High Protein Dog Food Good For Dogs
Although some veterinarians still restrict feeding to dogs with kidney disease as well as senior animals because of concerns over animal growth hormone levels. Dogs dont come into contact with food containing protein as a carnivores. Protein is necessary in dogs in order to keep their energy and build the strong muscles, bones, and joints needed for growth.
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How Do I Know If My Dog Is Overweight
Before considering the best weight management dog food, you should determine if your dog needs to go on a diet. Every breed and dog size has a narrow ideal weight range, and your veterinarian can help you determine if your dog is at a healthy weight. But there are a few quick signs that you can look for at home.
- Can you easily feel your dogs ribs without having to press down? If not, he very likely needs to lose weight.
- Look at your dog from above if your dog looks oval-shaped, your dog is likely overweight. If your pup has an hourglass shape, hes probably at a healthy weight.
- Have a dog with a defined waist and a straight body down the sides ? Then his current weight is probably okay.
Bully Max / Gorilla Max Canine Supplement Combo
For an inexpensive fee when shopping the package in a box, each package comes with a pair of complementary weight lifting supplements. Bully Max has an appetite booster that helps sick, malnourished and a poor weighted pet get into stronger shape, whereas Gorilla Max is geared exclusively toward a dog athlete.
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Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Dog Food
Next up on our list of the best weight management dog food is Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Dog Food. Pet owners have been trusting Hills Science diet dog food to nourish their canine companions for decades, as this dog food manufacturer offers a variety of formulas that are made by animal nutritionists and veterinarians to ensure optimal health. This specific formula is made for dogs that are prone to weight gain, such as older dogs that are less active or those who have been neutered.
The first ingredient in this formula is real chicken, so it offers up a healthy dose of protein to support lean muscle mass and healthy joints. Ingredients like cracked pearled barley, brown rice, oat fiber, and dried beet pulp are easy to digest and will fuel your dogs energy levels. Its also infused with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, folic acid, calcium, taurine, vitamin D3, and vitamin A. Apples, broccoli, cranberries, and green peas add to the taste and the nutritional content. Furthermore, more than 70 percent of dogs that are fed this formula lose weight within 10 weeks.
What We Like About It
Reasons to Complain
- It does contain corn gluten meal, so if your pet is allergic to corn, you might want to consider a dog food for allergies that also supports weight loss
- Some customers said that their pets dont like the flavor
A Balanced Canine Diet
Homemade dog food does not contain preservatives. Also, do you think canned salmon is ok instead of tuna or would that be too much calcium since the bones are in there? So, moderation is the key.
These dog supplements are not optional. However, the essential feature is that the recipe is low in carbs and very balanced. I freeze these and pull out a few at a time to defrost. My recipe is very balanced and provides needed nutrition.
Then, tear the ham to bits and and mix it in. Puppies, on the wdight hand, are still growing. Have you factored in the cost and availability of the ingredients in your dog food recipes? It has raw meat as well as cooked carbohydrates and vegetables. Finally you can add some canned tuna, but it must be natural, without oil and salt. Human dieting apps such as My Fitness Pal will allow you to breakdown the calorie count of individual ingredients.
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Buyers Guide To The Best Dog Food For Weight Loss
When it comes to selecting food for your pet, you want to make sure that you are selecting a high quality product that will meet his nutritional needs to ensure that he maintains maximum health. If your pet has gained weight or if he is prone to weight gain , then you should consider feeding him a specially formulated dog food for weight loss.
In this portion of our buyers guide, well share some important insight about weight management dog food so that you can ensure you are choosing the very best option for your four-legged family members needs.
When My Dog Is Hungry She Pesters Me Until I Feed Her Do You Have Any Suggestions
It is often easier to give in to the dog that wakes you at four in the morning to be fed or the dog that stares at you during dinner or television time until you relent. These dogs have trained us well and know exactly which buttons to press when it comes to getting their way. Here are some tips for handling your pleading pup:
- Do not use a self-feeder. While this seems obvious, auto-feeders are nothing more than unlimited candy machines to a fat dog.
- If you do use an automatic feeder, use one that opens with a timer. This way you can measure out the proper amount and divide it into daily meals.
- Pet your dog or play with him when he begs for food. Many dogs substitute food for affection so flip the equation and you may find that playtime displaces mealtime.
- Go for a walk with your dog when he begs. The distraction and interaction may be just enough to make him forget his desire for food.
- Feed small meals frequently – especially give a last feeding for those dogs that like to wake you up in the wee hours begging for more goodies – divide the total volume or calories into four to six smaller meals – whatever you do, do not feed extra food.
- When the bowl is empty and your dog is pleading, add a few kibbles to the bowl. A few means only a few – not a handful. Keep a few kibbles separate from your dogâs measured daily ration for this purpose.
- Offer fresh water instead of food. If your dog is eyeing the empty food bowl, a drink of cold, fresh water may satisfy the craving.
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How To Help Your Dog Lose Weight Quickly
Although a low-calorie diet can certainly help your dog lose extra pounds, implementing the following tips can further boost this process. Here are some of the best tips to accelerate your dogs weight loss journey:
1. Get your dog more exercise: Like humans, dogs can also benefit from increased exercise when losing weight. Start off by gradually increasing your dogs exercise duration and intensity till theyre getting at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of physical activity daily. This will help them burn fat quicker and increase both their stamina and endurance.
2. Avoid treats and free-feeding: Treats and table scraps can mess with your dogs caloric intake and curb their progress. Stick with a certain feeding routine, and do not give in to your dogs puppy eyes if they ask for any extra food.
3. Keep track of their progress: During a weight-loss regime, its crucial to track your dogs progress and tweak their diet accordingly. We highly recommend staying in touch with your vet during the process and taking your dog for a checkup every week so you can be confident that theyre on the right track.
Other Tips For Losing Weight
Whilst the above kibbles are the best around for weight loss, they are not a miracle cure, and his weight loss journey needs more than just the right nutrition, so be sure to implement the following tips.
Exercise: Dr Ochoa at the American Kennel Club recommends that you create an exercise plan, which you need to stick too. If your pooch is particularly overweight then be sure to start off slowly, and begin your day with a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Weekly Weight Monitoring: Just as you would with your weight, be sure to monitor his weight weekly and keep a diary of it. Dependent on the size of your dog, a few extra pounds might not be visible, but by monitoring his weight you can ensure that you know to feed him less treats and exercise him that bit more the following week
Patience: Be patient with your pooch, and remember that crash dieting is just as bad for him as it is for us humans. If you are worried that he is not losing weight as he should then speak to your Veterinarian, and they will be able to advise you accordingly.
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