Vital Veggies
Try offering green beans, baby carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, bananas, sliced apples, or ice cubes as an alternative to highly-processed store-bought treats. These naturally nutritious foods are a healthy alternative for many dogs. Apples and bananas have high sugar content, so be sure not to feed dogs a lot.
Smart Supplements
Some smart supplements may help keep your dog fit and healthy. Almost every dog can help by taking a regular, fatty omega-3 acid supplement. These powerful fish oils contain a significant antioxidant boost that helps prevent and treat numerous diseases. Also, they may help ease achy joints and encourage weight loss.
Find The Right Dog Food
Dogs love to eat, and if you can find a low-fat and long-lasting treat, it can keep your dog busy and satisfied, and out of trouble. Steer sticks, dried tendons, and similar chews work great unless they’re small enough for the dog to swallow.
Try Breaking Up Meals
Feeding your pet in smaller portions can also be helpful. Taking your dog’s total daily meal and dividing it up into three to six portions. Small and multiple meals require energy to digest, which also burns calories.
Feeding your pet a small meal every five to six hours keeps the dog’s insulin levels stable, and it also reduces appetite spikes and keeps their appetite full most of the day. Excess weight comes off quickly as your dog’s metabolism begins to work correctly.
Why Should My Dog Lose Weight?
Even a few pounds above the ideal body weight can put your pet at risk, and there’s also the risk of developing some severe medical conditions. Sadly, when a dog is obese or overweight, your dog will develop a condition secondary to the excess weight. It is no longer a question of how soon and how serious. Some of the common diseases associated with excess weight include:
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes
- increased frequency of joint injuries
- osteoarthritis (arthritis)
- some forms of cancer – especially intra-abdominal cancers
- high blood pressure
Final Words
It’s the responsibility of us to help our dogs maintain a healthy weight. It’s up to pet owners to feed nutritious and healthy foods and treats and make them exercise daily. By using those simple suggestions, your pet will be at its best and in a healthy weight.
