Prevent obesity in your dog

While your dog is standing next to his food bowl, a pair of cute eyes are looking at you ... how can you resist it? "Well, you have earned a candy," you quickly think. Recognizable? For many dog ​​owners, it is. And as harmless as it may seem, research shows that more and more dogs are too fat. The cause of obesity often lies in the food bowl.

In this blog you can read how obesity arises and what you can do about it.

The ideal weight

What is a dog's ideal weight? That of course differs enormously per breed. A general rule is that you cannot see the ribs, but you can feel them when you stroke your dog. If the ribs are visible, your dog is too thin. If you no longer feel them, your four-legged friend is probably overweight. Your vet can help determine if your dog is at a healthy weight.

There are certainly dangers with obesity. It seems so innocent, that extra extra kilo. But keep in mind that for a dog that should weigh 20 pounds, 1 kilo is much more than for a human who should weigh 70 pounds. If your dog is 20% heavier than the ideal weight, we speak of obesity. And that is dangerous.

In addition to unpleasant discomforts such as diabetes, heart problems and wear and tear on joints, obesity also has a disadvantage, a shorter life expectancy of up to 2 years. You don't want to do that to your favorite housemate.

Origin of overweight and solution

Age: the older your dog, the less active it is
Breed: Dog breeds like the Golden Retriever, Beagle or Cocker Spaniel are more likely to get fat. A greyhound is naturally thin
Spaying and neutering: after these procedures your dog's energy needs change
Disease: for example due to an underactive thyroid gland or as a side effect of medicines

Much more often, however, obesity is the result of overeating. An extra treat as a reward, the leftovers from your own food and a bit more chunks than is good.
Before you know it, the pointer on the scale turns red.

Keep your dog's weight healthy

Do you think your dog is overweight? Then visit the vet first. He can accurately determine the weight and exclude diseases. If your dog turns out to be too fat, make a plan of action. Good to know is that losing weight must be done step by step. A dog may lose about 1% of its body weight per week. In a dog of 30 kilos, that is 300 grams per week.

With these tips you can make losing weight easier:

1. Switch to diet food: this contains fewer calories, but all vitamins and minerals.
2. Get more exercise: go for walks more often, play retrieving games or let your dog swim.
3. Let your four-legged friend bother eating: chunks in a food toy will keep him busy and make him eat slower.

Balanced diet

Once your dog is at a healthy weight, it is important to keep it that way. Therefore, keep maintaining a balanced diet.

In the range of Fokker you will find Light food -Weight-Fit- that contributes to good health.
For older dogs, Fokker has a special food -Age-Care- that helps prevent obesity.