Overweight dogs may seem funny to us, but the reality is that obesity has very serious consequences for our best friend, something we must remedy as soon as possible with an effective treatment.
If you don't know what to do, moderate exercise can help your dog improve his condition and adopt an appropriate weight for his age, breed and size. The power supply will also be a factor to take into account to control the volume.
In this article on exercise for obese dogs we explain in a general way everything you need to know so that your dog regains the figure it should have properly.
Causes of obesity
There are several causes that can cause obesity or excessive weight in our dog. It is very important to identify what is causing you to be overweight, so we encourage you to review the following aspects of your daily life:
- Sedentary lifestyle: Dogs should have an active routine where they walk at least twice a day. They should also get some exercise, even if it's running in the pipi-can. Encouraging your pet to exercise and stay active is key to solving this problem.
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Bad diet: Overweight dogs should have a suitable diet according to their he alth status. Remember that "light" feeds are indicated for maintenance, while others with the "reduced calorie" property are indicated to reduce body volume.
Only the veterinarian can indicate the administration of feeds " reduced calorie ", as they can have counterproductive effects on dogs suffering from he alth problems. Whatever food you currently offer, you must ensure that you are complying with the adequate amount. To do this, you must know the weight of your dog and offer him the exact amount that he indicates on the product bag. An extra feed, treats or food for humans can be the main cause of their overweight.
- Neuter: Many dogs experience weight gain when undergoing spaying or neutering. In these cases, it is essential to rely on the advice provided by the specialist.
- He alth problems: Indeed, your dog may be obese due to a he alth problem that prevents him from effectively metabolizing food.
Even if your dog is obese due to extra treats or any other trivial cause, I strongly recommend that you go to the vet so that he can have a General review of your dog and rule out any he alth problems. In addition, you will be able to consult the administration of the specific feed that we mentioned before.
Consequences and tips for treatment
After ruling out any he alth problems and knowing the ideal weight for your dog, you can start treatment to prevent obesity and help him regain his weight appropriate. In addition to diet and walks, you should start exercising but not before be clear about some things :
An overweight dog cannot suddenly expose himself to active exercise if he has never done it before, we must help him and offer moderate activity and according to his possibilities
Dogs that are overweight can begin to suffer from osteoarthritis or dysplasia among others, problems that could worsen with excessively intense exercise. You must be clear that you will not see your skinny dog in a week
Do not exercise your dog for more than 20 minutes at a time, excessive exercise could make him suffer and create a situation of stress and discomfort for him
An excessively fat dog can start to develop calluses and problems with his petticoat pads due to being overweight. He regularly checks his elbows and the bottoms of his legs
Propose a progressive intensity routine so that your dog receives the exercise in a positive and gradual way. Help him with a positive and caring attitude
Never force him to exercise or prolong exercise sessions if he doesn't want to. If you have serious problems for it to progress, you can ask for help from a professional such as dog trainers
1. Longer rides
The first step to start practicing exercise with our pet will be lengthen the time of our walks so that it gets used to moving and feel active. So that you can get your bearings, in our article on how many times to pass a dog, we explain the keys to a proper walk:
- Between 20 and 30 minutes each ride
- 2 or 3 daily walks
- Don't pull the leash
- Let him sniff
- Let me relate
- Play with him
- Cheer him up and pet him
two. Give your dog freedom of movement
Whether it's going to the pipi-can in your neighborhood or to the countryside, you should allow your dog to exercise naturally Surrounded by others dogs will be forced to socialize and run after others and in green areas they will explore in search of traces. Starting gently and progressively is essential for the animal to accept it properly.
3. Chase the ball
Playing chase is a very fun way to help our dog move and exercise without realizing it. It's also great for working on obedience, reflexes and rapport.
5. Beach and pool
As you may know, water is a perfect medium for exercising both people and animals and is a wonderful therapy for dogs suffering from obesity since it is not just weight-bearing on its legs but distributes it in different areas of the body allowing you to exercise your back, abdomen, legs and neck, among others.
Taking your dog to the beach or pool is one of the best ways to help him lose weight without causing joint and muscle problems.
Also…
Once you get past the first phase of obesity, you can enjoy a slightly overweight dog. As soon as he is more used to light exercise, we can initiate him and begin to practice moderate exercise including some jogging, cycling, among others.
Discover on our site different types of exercise that you can practice with your dog and find the one that best suits you. You can also consider getting started in Agility.
Understanding what your dog is like and adapting to his styleof activity will be essential to find the best way to exercise him
