Print
Comment
Rate
PetTalk: What to do to combat obesity?
This column is written by Dr. Paula Tyler, DVM, of Benson Animal Hospital. If you have a question about a pet, send it to PetTalk, San Pedro Valley News- Sun, 200 S. Ocotillo Ave., Benson, 85602.
Q: My dog is getting really heavy. It happened slowly but now it has reached a point she seems uncomfortable. Can you give any tips on getting this weight off of her?
A: More than 25 percent of pets in the U.S. are overweight so you are not alone. The first thing you need to do is look at the type of food you are feeding. Many supermarket dog foods compensate for their poor nutrition by adding fat to make the food tasty.
If your pet is extremely overweight I recommend starting with a prescription weight loss food. These are usually high in fiber but low in calories so the dog can still eat a substantial amount and lose weight at the same time. Be sure you are feeding the right amount of food and try feeding your dog two smaller meals a day rather than putting out a set amount once a day. Next, examine your dog's treats. Most popular treats in stores are loaded with calories. Make sure your treats are low calorie snacks or even chunks of apple or carrot. Also, cut out table scraps!
Let's not overlook the importance of exercise. A half hour walk each day with your dog will really put her on the fast track weight loss. If none of these suggestions work, it is possible your dog could have a medical condition that precludes her from losing weight and your vet would need to do some blood work to check for those conditions.
Q: My dog is getting really heavy. It happened slowly but now it has reached a point she seems uncomfortable. Can you give any tips on getting this weight off of her?
A: More than 25 percent of pets in the U.S. are overweight so you are not alone. The first thing you need to do is look at the type of food you are feeding. Many supermarket dog foods compensate for their poor nutrition by adding fat to make the food tasty.
If your pet is extremely overweight I recommend starting with a prescription weight loss food. These are usually high in fiber but low in calories so the dog can still eat a substantial amount and lose weight at the same time. Be sure you are feeding the right amount of food and try feeding your dog two smaller meals a day rather than putting out a set amount once a day. Next, examine your dog's treats. Most popular treats in stores are loaded with calories. Make sure your treats are low calorie snacks or even chunks of apple or carrot. Also, cut out table scraps!
Let's not overlook the importance of exercise. A half hour walk each day with your dog will really put her on the fast track weight loss. If none of these suggestions work, it is possible your dog could have a medical condition that precludes her from losing weight and your vet would need to do some blood work to check for those conditions.
 |
 |
|
| County officials fill seats that draw few candidates | 400 jobs lost in Cochise County in month of July |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
