Shedding Holiday Weight!
At Urban Tails, our Thanksgiving feast of turkey, sweet
potatoes and pumpkin pie was enjoyed by every canine lucky enough to have
stayed with us this year. With the new year approaching, many will make plans
to begin a fitness regiment to make up for the extra slices of pie. Our canines
aren’t excluded from this yearly phenomenon so this month, we’ll review a few
guidelines about canine weight loss to make it easier, healthier and with
greater chances of success. Before you attempt helping your dog to lose weight,
check with their veterinarian to choose the best diet and to be sure there are
no underlying health issues that are contributing to weight gain.
Obviously your dog’s diet is essential to both losing and
maintaining a healthy weight. Choose a diet with above average protein but
below average fat and calories. The average protein in dog food is 29% in dry
kibble and 40% in canned food, with the average fat calculated at 16% for
kibble and 23% in canned food. The average calorie count is 250-350 calories
per 8 ounce cup of kibble or 13 ounce can. When shopping for dog food, be sure
to pay close attention to the ingredients listed on the label as many times fat
and calories are replaced by empty carbohydrates that offer only a temporary
sense of satisfaction.
If you decide to substitute a portion of your pets’ diet with
human food, such as green beans, get frozen instead of canned vegetable as
canned items often contain too much sodium for it to be considered a healthy
option. Cutting back on treats or choosing a smaller healthier treat can make
all the difference as well. Remember for dogs, it is the act of getting a treat
that matters more than the dependence on treats as a filling part of their
diet. Pay attention to chews or rawhides and try to give ones that will last a
long time, like bully sticks, providing the chewing satisfaction without the
fat content.
For a canine, the fun part of losing weight is all in the
exercise – a natural pastime for any pooch. Like any exercise regimen, start
off small and work your way up. Don’t leave the house thinking Fido can jog a
mile right off the couch. Start off with relaxing walks and build up the length
as you see your dog becoming more comfortable moving around. Swimming is a
great exercise for dogs of all ages but especially for older dogs as it is
easier on their joints than movement on surfaces such as pavement or that
include sudden movements like a game of fetch.
Exercising with a friend is always more fun and stimulating
so if you’re having a hard time getting your pooch to cooperate with
complicated yoga moves, try letting him burn some calories with his friends at Urban Tails. For dogs who need a focused
approach, sign them up for a group or private swim in our indoor canine pool or
have them do a fifteen minute session on our canine treadmill. Many dogs are
overweight simply because your house is just not as much fun for them without
you in it. This can lead to long naps and decreased activity which is precisely
what leads to overweight dogs struggling to keep up when they finally get to
the dog park. With a pack of dogs to spend the day with, their focus is on the
best kind of canine fun with the best kinds of canines at Urban Tails!
