The average 10kg dog only needs 400 calories a day, yet the majority of dogs in the USA are currently overweight.
As a compassionate owner, you may be concerned that your dog’s weight is too high, or you just want to make sure they are maintaining a healthy weight.
Below we will discuss how you can help manage your pup’s weight and keep them on the right track. Read on to find out how you can help them stay in shape.
1. Understand Their Daily Food Requirement
Every dog is different, so you must know exactly how much your pup should eat daily. You can use a calculator to identify how many calories your pet should be eating.
Use this number and your pet food nutritional information to calculate how much you need to measure out, and then stick to this. Limit the number of treats as they all count too!
2. Use an Automatic Pet Feeder
“Did you already feed the dog?”. How many times has this been said in your household when lucky Fido managed to puppy eyes his way to two dinners?
To avoid the problem, you should invest in an automatic feeder for your dog. Pet feeders will serve the exact right amount of food at the right time of day for your pup. This takes the onus off you having to remember a feeding schedule for your dog and stops them constantly begging.
If you want a great guide to the best pet feeders out there, check out petfeedertips.com.
3. Give Them Quality Food
Ensure that the food that you are giving your dog is the best quality there is. Many dog food manufacturers keep their prices low by stuffing their dog meat products with low-quality corn and agriculture waste. This food is nutritionally worthless to your dog and will leave them feeling more hungry than before.
Make sure you are buying food with a good quality of protein and fewer carbohydrates. If you are trying to help your dog lose weight, speak to your veterinarian about the best dog food for weight management. These will be filled with nutrients that will help your dog feel fuller longer.
4. Provide Them With Lots of Exercise
Dogs need lots of exercise in their day and want to be active. Depending on the size and breed of the dog, the greater this need for activity could be.
If you want your dog to lose weight, then make sure you take them out for regular walks of at least thirty minutes, twice a day. If your dog is underweight, they will still need walks, but keep an eye on them and take their lead on how often and far they want to go.
5. Speak With Your Vet
If your dog’s weight gain or loss is quick and unexpected, then you must go and speak to your vet. Weight is a key factor in identifying if there is an underlying issue at play. So, if you notice a sudden change, make sure you speak to a professional as soon as you can.
Keep An Eye On Your Dog’s Weight
Dog’s are notoriously bad at managing their own eating habits. Some will eat everything in sight, whereas others can be quite picky eaters. It is up to you as their owner to manage your dog’s weight.
Help them by looking for signs of change and providing them with the best eating schedule and food you can afford.
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