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Weight Care Basic Information

What are the steps of a successful weight loss program?

Like humans, overweight or obese dogs can be at risk of developing some serious health problems. Overweight or obese dogs do not generally live as long as dogs that are fitter and maintain normal weight. In addition to being at a greater risk for heart disease, overweight dogs show greater incidence of arthritis, breathing problems, pancreatic disorders, liver diseases and many more. Obesity is simply the result of too much energy (calories) intake in the form of food, compared with the amount of energy expended by the animal. Most importantly, we know that dogs do not feed themselves. Most often, the root cause of a pet’s weight gain lies with the pet’s owner and there too lies the approach to a successful weight loss program.

Successful weight loss program

The owner’s motivation is essential to the success of a weight loss program. A successful weight loss program for dogs is multidimensional and should consist of the following:


Step 1: Veterinarian Examination

It is important that any dog with weight problem should be examined by a veterinarian as certain medical conditions can cause obesity in dogs. The veterinarian will determine if there is an underlying cause for the obesity or if there are other medical conditions present, which could complicate weight reduction. Because diseases such as hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus can be associated with obesity and should be checked for these diseases prior to the weight loss program.

Step 2: Household Cooperation
One of the main reasons weight loss program for dogs
fail is that one (or more) member(s) in the family or even
the neighbours, is not following the weight loss plan.
Everyone must agree that the program is essential for the
life and health of the dog. Each must follow the
recommendations regarding diet, treats, exercise, etc., if
the program is to be successful and the dog achieves its
ideal weight again. Please remember that the most obese pets are made, not born, that way. Many pet’s owners give their pets treats and snacks and feed them
whenever the pet begs for food. In essence, these
owners are setting their pets up for all of the health risks
that can occur with overweight.

Step 3: Diet Change
Most weight loss program for dogs recommend
estimating the dog’s ideal weight and calculating the
calories your dog needs based on the dog’s Resting
Energy Requirements (RER). The RER is the basic
amount of energy that a dog would use in a day while
remaining at rest. There is extreme variability (up to 20%)
in the actual RER of dogs weighing the same, since their
activity level can vary greatly. There are huge differences
between breeds, size, growth rates in puppies, daily
activity levels, skin and coat thickness and living
conditions. For this reason, you should never put your
dog on a diet without the assistance of your veterinarian
and it is important that you follow the weight loss diet
recommended by your veterinarian.
There are two basic ways to cut down on calories. One is
to reduce the amount of food the dog is currently eating.
The second is to switch to a special weight reduction diet.
And of course, feeding with either way, table scraps are
not allowed and treats shall be kept to minimal.

Step 4: Exercise Plan
Exercise programs will need to be tailored to the dog
taking into account the existing condition of the dog’s
muscles and joints, heart, and respiratory system. It is
important to choose physical activities suitable for your
dog and do not overdo. Start slowly and work up to
higher activity levels. Rest if you notice signs of fatigue,
like heavy panting. In general, leash walking for 30 to 60
minutes a day, five times a week would be a great way to
start. The exercise time may vary according to your dog’s
size, age and health conditions. If your dog is quite
obese, exercise should be introduced gradually. Too
much activity can be dangerous to a very obese dog.
Other suitable exercise program for dogs include
swimming, hydrotherapy and treadmills. Swimming is an excellent choice for obese dogs with arthritis as it places
less stress on the joints.

Step 5: Intake of Essential Nutrients
When reducing the amount of your dog’s regular food
intake, it also means your dog is receiving fewer
nutrients. Therefore, you may need to provide
supplement to ensure that he gets all the essential
vitamins and minerals and it is something you should be
aware of. The increase of exercise may also produce a
greater demand for essential nutrients. Supplementation
ensures that deficiency states do not arise.

Step 6: Weight Loss Supplements
Overweight or obese dogs have a slow metabolism and
they simply do not burn off those calories very fast. Your
dog needs to burn more calories than he eats. By taking
weight loss supplement, the dog will start burning his fat
deposits to generate energy required and also has an
increased metabolic rate to convert excess carbohydrate
for daily activity. When a weight loss supplement is
added to the weight loss program, your dogs will have
faster weight reduction than those dogs who were just on
a weight loss program alone.

Step 7: Monitor Progress
Constant monitoring is the single most important
component of the weight loss program. It is a good idea
to weigh your dog weekly on the same scale and keep a
written record of food intake (including all treats) and
exercise on a weekly basis. It is sometimes helpful to
record this information (dates and weights) on your dog’s
weight loss progress so that the dog’s response to the
program can be monitored and adjustments made if
necessary. At some stages, you may notice that your
dog’s weight reach a ‘plateau’ in which your dog seems
stuck at a certain weight. This is common and it is vital
that you continue with the weight loss program.

Step 8: Weight Maintenance
When you and your dog achieved the target weight,
congratulate yourself and your dog. You will be amazed
at how much younger and livelier your dog has become
once he lost the excess weight. After that, it is important
that you remain focus and continue to maintain the ideal
weight. To be sure that your dog does not regain it,
continue weighing your dog as you gradually increase
food intake. You can either feed more of the weight
reduction diet or change to a diet that is less restrictive.
Do not start feeding free choice (the bowl of food is
always there). If weight is regained consistently for 2
weeks, or more than 3% of weight is regained in one
week, go back on the diet program.
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help
your dog to lose weight and help your dog live a longer,
healthier and more enjoyable life.

Natural Pet Weight loss Basic Information

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It is important that any dog with weight problem should be examined by a ______________.

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Weight Maintenance : If weight is regained consistently for 2 weeks, or more than _______ of weight is regained in one week, go back on the diet program.

3 / 5

Like humans, overweight or obese dogs can be at risk of developing some serious health problems. True or False?

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Exercise Plan : Exercise programs will need to be tailored to the dog taking into account the existing condition of the dog's muscles and joints, heart, and respiratory system. True or False?

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In addition to being at a greater risk for heart disease, overweight dogs show _____________. Select multiple answer if necessary.

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