posted 05-18-2003 01:17 AM         

The sad thing about this affliction is it can cause serious problems for a dog’s hips, liver, heart, digestion, and the workings of the animal’s entire system. Just as in the human population, dogs suffer tremendously from obesity. The most tragic outcome of the overindulging pooch, is that an overweight dog’s life will most certainly be shortened by carrying around extra poundage.

The solution is simple. Feed the dog less food. But for the spoiled puppy who has spent his life being fed burgers and ice cream this can be a struggle, as well as an adjustment for the pet owner. But it is important to make weightless a priority for a dog especially one that is over 5 years old. Since the larger breeds live an average of 10 years it might be necessary to start earlier. Healthy small dogs may have an average life span of 13 years old, but their smaller frames need to be protected from extra stress, so they might reach their greatest age potential These statistics vary vastly between breeds so consult a manual on your particular breed for accurate lifespans.

The first step in helping your dog with its fitness regimen is consulting a veterinarian for a reasonable program. Often a weight reducing formula for a dog resembles that of a human’s diet. Low fat food, smaller amounts of food, no treats, and more activity are often the prescription. This is not an easy task for a person, and it is not that easy for dogs either.

Dogs vary just as people do. Some dogs like the feeling of having their stomachs full, and will continue to eat or seek out food until they can regain that feeling. It is important to make sure a dog such as this does not feel he/she is being punished. The food should be replaced with more attention, more back scratching, and more tender words for the nutritionally deprived pup. Some dogs can be convinced that a carrot stick or a piece of ice is a good treat. This is a an excellent strategy because the dog feels rewarded, and is not consuming unnecessary calories or fat. Many dogs enjoy green beans. These can be added to daily food rations to give the dog the sensation of more food in the stomach, and adds the benefit of extra fiber.

Start a walking program with the athletically challenged canine. This may be a slow process when the dog feels winded and is panting in the first block. But perseverance will help the dog gain stamina and energy; it is important to make this an enjoyable experience, so the dog looks forward to the outing rather than the leftovers from dinner.

It is easy to feel sorry for the dieting dog, but it is important to resist the temptation of slipping a treat under the table. The sooner the dog accepts that there are no scraps coming, the better the success of the weight loss program. The dog may express him/herself by rooting through trash cans, chewing up furniture or clothing, or trying to steal food from the table. These behaviors need to be dealt with a firm but loving manner. The dog needs to know that boundaries are still intact, the world has not come to an end, and there is still love in the owner dog relationship, just less food.