Killing our pets with sheer kindness is a statement that may sound humorous to some but is the truth. The growth of product sales relating to pet treats has quadrupled this decade compared to the last and as a result, we are seeing in influx in overweight pets.

Like Humans, pets that are overweight are prone to ill health and will be more susceptible to conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, stroke, etc.

Keeping our pet’s diet under control is simple. Put it this way, if your dog does not have access to it, then they will not miss it. Simply speaking, if you dont feed your dog access treats on a regular basis, then your dog will not beg for them frequently.

Exercise will also help keep your dog slim. Walking your dog daily is a great way for you to also get your daily exercise. By walking your dog regularly, both you and your dog will benefit, and although you may not see results immediately, overtime you will.

The most important fact to remember when pursuing a weight-loss program for your dog: Calories burned must exceed calories eaten. You can reduce food, fat and calories or increase exercise. Ideally, it is best to combine the two approaches.

To reduce calories, first eliminate all extra calories – no treats, table scraps, handouts from the neighbors, cat food, or extra food in the bowl because he looked at you with those big brown eyes. Everyone has to know because one cheater can ruin the entire attempt.

Next reduce the calories in the primary diet. You can do this by switching to a lower-calorie version of the food or to a diet food recommended by your veterinarian. Many diet foods have high levels of fiber to maintain a similar volume to non-diet foods and make the dog feel full with fewer calories. It is important to restrict diet foods to the amount recommended – eating too much diet food is still overeating.

Remember that the “light” designation means only that the food has fewer calories than the regular version, not necessarily that it is a diet food.

Some dogs will need vitamin, mineral and fatty-acid supplements to maintain coat quality and appearance while eating diet foods, so check with your veterinarian.

Try feeding two or three small meals each day, rather than one large meal; this may help reduce begging. Another trick is measuring the food allotment for the day, then giving half for breakfast, with the rest fed throughout the day in place of treats and rewards. Be sure you accurately measure the amount.

Increasing the exercise level is also simple if you can find the time. Gradually increase the level and duration of activity as the dog’s exercise tolerance allows. Slow walking is probably not adequate for most dogs. Brisk walking, jogging and running off-lead (in a safe place) are best. Dog-friendly treadmills have recently become available. Swimming is an excellent alternative, especially for arthritic and lame dogs.

You may need to address arthritis and pain to help the dog comfortably attain a reasonable level of exercise. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and carprofen and other arthritis treatments can be helpful. Check with your veterinarian about the need for these medications and proper dosages. Many overweight lame dogs magically lose their pain and need for medications once they approach a weight more suitable for their frame size.

Killing our pets with sheer kindness is a statement that may sound humorous to some but is the truth. The growth of product sales relating to pet treats has quadrupled this decade compared to the last and as a result, we are seeing in influx in overweight pets.

Like Humans, pets that are overweight are prone to ill health and will be more susceptible to conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, stroke, etc.

Keeping our pet’s diet under control is simple. Put it this way, if your dog does not have access to it, then they will not miss it. Simply speaking, if you dont feed your dog access treats on a regular basis, then your dog will not beg for them frequently.

Exercise will also help keep your dog slim. Walking your dog daily is a great way for you to also get your daily exercise. By walking your dog regularly, both you and your dog will benefit, and although you may not see results immediately, overtime you will.