Helpful Hints: Healthy Weight for Dogs

Don't be fooled by the myth that if you want your dog to be big and strong, you must feed it lots of food.  Each breed has different nutritional requirements.  If you're not certain how much food is appropriate to feed your dog, check with a breeder or veterinarian. Table scraps alone are unhealthy for your dog and can lead to an unbalanced diet. If you think your dog needs to lose a few pounds, slowly cut down its caloric intake.  "Crash diets" will only lead to nutritional deficiencies and are very unhealthy.

If you think your dog is not receiving enough vitamins and nutrients, consider adding a vitamin or mineral supplement to its diet and consult your veterinarian. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not need variety in their diet.  Use the same type of food every day, and if you need/want to change your brand of dog food, do so with the advice of your veterinarian.

Bad breath is a common problem with dogs. It can be created from food, tartar deposits on teeth, or from digestive problems. Feed your dog dry food and tartar-fighting treats to help reduce plaque. Brush your dog's teeth once or twice a week with a toothbrush and dog toothpaste; you can also use a moistened gauze pad. (Note: Never use human toothpaste.) 

General Nutrition

Just like humans, it is unhealthy for a dog to be overweight.  Excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptible to other ailments. An irregular eating schedule can affect your dog's digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders.  Digestive problems can usually be improved by a change in diet.

If your dog's feeding schedule is suddenly changed, don't be surprised if it still craves a meal at its old feeding time.  Your dog is conditioned to expect a meal at a specific time, so biologically its internal alarm clock still produces a hunger drive. In addition, dogs don't easily adjust to a time zone change or to daylight savings time.  To prepare your dog for a time change, gradually adjust its eating schedule over a few weeks. Don't worry about your dog getting hunger pangs between meals.  Your dog only needs one or two meals daily if it is fed on a regimented schedule and receives a balanced diet.

It is important that your dog's water and food bowls are kept in the same place every day.  If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl. Dog food should not be left out longer than 30 minutes. If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat.  Discard any remaining food, since exposed dog food becomes unsanitary.

Starting an Exercise Routine

Exercise can improve your dog's physical and mental health, but it is important to research the best exercise routine for you and your dog. Consider your dog's age, health condition and current activity level.  Check with your veterinarian before beginning anything vigorous. Make certain to keep your dog on a leash at all times when you are exercising in public.  You don't want your dog to get distracted by cars, people, or other dogs. Letting your dog out in your backyard doesn't qualify as exercise; however, a good game of fetch may do the trick.

When exercising your dog, try to keep it on a grassy or earth surface.  A hot sidewalk or sharp gravel surface is hard on paws. If your dog begins to pant too rapidly, STOP exercising.  Dogs can't speak to tell you when they have had enough.  Dogs can also suffer from heat stroke, so you need to make sure your dog is not overexerting itself.  Pay special attention to your dog's footpads and toenails.  If there are any abrasions or cuts, stop exercising until they have completely healed.

Activity Programs

When starting your dog on any exercise program, begin slowly to build its endurance level;  too vigorous a workout may cause injury. Walking or jogging on the beach can be a great form of exercise.  But, keep in mind that it is very strenuous and your dog can tire easily.  Start your dog with short walks each day to get it accustomed to the sand.

If you would like to start jogging with your dog, begin with short distances.  Forcing your dog to keep up with your jogging pace may cause it to run at an unnatural gait.  A pace other than what is natural for your dog (slower or faster) can cause cramps and muscle spasms.

Exercise is still important during the winter months when bad weather doesn't always permit outdoor activities.  If it is too cold outside to exercise your dog, develop fun-filled indoor activities that are suitable for the size of the dog and the amount of space you have available.
Swimming is another good type of exercise, but don't let your dog overdo it.  It will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.  Remember: Never leave your dog unattended in the water.  You should always be in a position to help you dog out of the water because even a strong swimmer can drown if exhausted.

When preparing a diet and exercise plan for your dog, keep in mind three key stages of development:

• Puppies eat more and are highly active.
• Adult dogs have normal routines and food intake.
• Older dogs might require special diets and limited exercise.

And, most of all, when evaluating an appropriate diet and fitness plan for your dog, a veterinarian should always be consulted.

Reprinted with permission from the AKC publication "Keeping Your Dog Fit and Trim," which is available from the AKC Customer Service Department, 919-233-9767 or orderdesk@akc.org. 

For more information on the AKC visit: www.akc.org

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