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Have you begun to notice that your dog has become overweight? Or maybe your vet has mentioned recently that your pooch could stand to lose a few pounds. Either way, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the source of your dog’s weight problem and create an effective (and safe!) form of weight loss. Read on to learn about the top cause of canine obesity and how you can help your dog drop that extra weight.
Feeding your dog human food could very well be the reason he is overweight. This is the most common cause for canine obesity, and also the most dangerous—and not simply because of the weight gain! It can be awfully tempting to throw the leftovers into your dog’s food dish, but you could inadvertently be giving him a death sentence!
While most people are aware that feeding a dog chocolate can be threatening to the animal’s health, there are other foods people do not realize can be harmful to a dog. Here are just a few of the “human foods” which can cause severe harm and even death to your dog: onions, coffee, apple seeds, peach pits, cherry pits, and plum pits, as well as macadamia nuts. Even though you may have fed these items to your dog before without resulting harm, you should be aware that continuing to feed your dog these foods could result in a medical issue that grows over time into a serious illness, possibly even death. You can obtain a much larger list of “bad-for-dog” foods at the Dog Food for Life website.
You may be asking yourself, “What if I don’t feed my dog human food? How can he still be overweight?” There are plenty of reasons why a dog may put on some extra weight. It could be anything from leaving his food dish filled so he can eat all day (usually an issue if you have an automatic dry food feeder) to an inactive lifestyle. Remember that pets adapt to the lifestyle of their owners…so if you aren’t getting enough exercise, chances are that your pooch isn’t either.
A great trick you can use to ensure that your dog feels full longer is the Green Bean Dog Diet. This diet requires that you mix green beans into your dog’s normal food. Green beans are very low in calories and have a good amount of fiber, which makes your dog feel full without causing him to gain weight. This is a great way to help him lose weight without having to put up with the incessant “I’m hungry!” whining.
If your dog is suffering from a lack of exercise, the obvious solution is to increase his outdoor activity. Although taking him out for a nice long walk is a great choice, it’s not the only one. If you aren’t able to walk, try getting a ball, Frisbee, or one of your dog’s favorite toys, then grab a chair to sit in and play a good ole’ game of fetch with him. On days when the weather is particularly nice, you could also take him for a dip in the lake. Swimming is an excellent exercise and will be a blast for your dog!
For other tips on doggy weight loss, visit Dog Food for Life.
