Obesity is a common health disorder. It can cause serious health conditions and be a serious detriment to your dog’s health.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis are common conditions caused by obesity.
Obesity is caused by an excess intake of energy that is not used, which then leads to the storage of fat and is generally caused by the animal being overfed and under exercised.
However, it is important to remember that weight gain can also be caused by certain health disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism which would need to be diagnosed by your vet. Prescription diets such as Royal Canin veterinary diets may then be recommended.
Diets that are specifically designed for weight management such as Royal Canin are useful in helping to aid weight reduction as they provide a good balance of nutrients and a low fat and calorie content, ensuring that your pet still consumes the same amount of food they normally would but with fewer calories.
Low calorie dog treats, such as those provided by James Wellbeloved are ideal, as they allow your dog to still enjoy the occasional snack. They are fibre packed to ensure their hunger is satisfied, and the high protein levels help to encourage the loss of fat rather than muscle.
Prevention of obesity is important as it is much easier to maintain a healthy weight than to reduce it. Only feeding pet treats in moderation, following the recommended feeding guide to ensure you do not over feed, and providing frequent exercise are all excellent ways to prevent weight gain.
Ensure that you feed your dog a food that suits their current life stage as each will have different dietary requirements. Dogs with very active lifestyles will also require specialized diets that provide the high energy content they need. Burns dog food caters for these needs.
It is important to be aware that certain dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Pugs and Dachshunds are more prone to obesity.
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