Treatment Dog Overweight
Treatment of any concurrent or underlying disease that affects obesity is
recommended.
* Lower your dog's daily
caloric intake by changing the dog
food product (there are several diets
formulated for weight
loss) or the amount fed daily.
* Increasing fiber or
water intake may sometimes be necessary
to satiate your dog.
* Increase exercise
activity. To enhance exercise, a variety of
leashes and toys are available
Characteristics of a Good Weight Loss Diet
weight reduction program
is monitored and adjustments made as necessary.
Regular food or diet food?
There are two basic ways to cut down on calories. One is to feed
less of the food the dog is currently eating. The second is to switch to
special weight reduction diets. And of course, with either way, table scraps
are a no-no and treats need to be minimized.
There are several advantages to feeding a balanced commercial
weight reduction diet. First, weight reduction diets are generally high-fiber,
low-fat diets which have a low energy density and allow a greater loss of body
fat than simply feeding smaller amounts of a high-fat diet. This is because fat
contains over twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates and low-calorie dense
foods tend to produce satiety (a feeling of being full) at a lower level of
calorie intake. In addition, more energy is used in digesting and absorbing
low-fat, high-fiber diets. Finally, by reducing the amount of the food
currently being fed, you are also decreasing the level of protein, vitamins,
minerals, etc., not just the fat. These reductions could be eliminated by using
supplements, but it is much more difficult to achieve the right balance.
There are some instances in which feeding less of the current diet
is preferred. If a dog is already on a special diet because of another medical
condition (e.g.; bladder stones), it would be beneficial to maintain the pet on
that diet. In some instances, the restricted availability of special weight
reduction foods or their increased cost may make feeding less of the normal
diet more appealing to the owner.
There are many weight reduction and "lite"diets
available and include Drs. Foster and Smith Adult Lite Dog Food, Hill's
Prescription Diet r/d and w/d, Royal Canin Calorie Control CC Diet, Purina's
OM-Formula, and Eukanuba's Reduced Fat Formula. In addition, there are 'grocery
store' brands which market themselves as weight reduction or weight control
diets. Many pet foods claim to be diet foods and nutritionally balanced. To be
sure your dog is receiving adequate nutrition while on a weight reduction diet;
consider some of the guidelines below.
Summary
Weight reduction diets can be helpful tools in producing weight
loss in overweight animals. In selecting a weight reduction diet, a nutrient
analysis should be performed to ensure the animal will maintain adequate
nutrition during the weight reduction process. Increasing exercise and
eliminating treats need to go hand in hand with the reducing diet, if we are to
achieve optimal results.
3/28/2013