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Research has now told us that obesity can reduce a dog’s life by as much as two years. In Australia as many as 8% of dogs are obese whilst many more are in the overweight category and the health implications of this are huge. Obesity can increase incidences of heart disease and diabetes which can be life threatening.
Over-weight dogs are also likely to suffer joint problems, high blood pressure and difficulty in breathing. In Australia, a recent survey found 33% of dogs are overweight and 8% of those are obese. The question is how can we eliminate this problem or set up a preventive measure?
As dog owners we want our pooch to be healthy so we need to be mindful of the type and quantity of foods we give our dogs. Many manufactured dog foods contain high calories and by simply replacing it with a low-cal option will eventually help our pets on their diet. Giving them a human food unprocessed diet is also an alternative, Home-cooked vegetables or well cooked grains like brown rice or porridge oats. Raw meat is also an excellent high protein but never give your dog cooked meats.
Exercise is also key when it comes to weight loss. All dogs benefit from exercise, at least 30-60 minutes per day. For younger & hunting bred dogs requiring considerably more excercise or if you are busy you can book one of our Dog Walkers or visit FindADogMinder and look for available pet minders in your area.
