by Stephanie Clarke

Created on: November 01, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

An overweight canine may be your beloved pet but as an owner you have a responsibility for their welfare and, just like us, your fat friend will be more at risk to fatal conditions like heart disease, strokes and diabetes. Do not inflict cruelty through kindness, if you care for animals; consider finding the right diet to help them.

To find out immediately whether your dog could be over weight, or underweight, is to feel his ribs. If you cannot feel them easily he is a portly pooch. If you can see them sticking out, he may be underweight. Make more evaluations by checking Kennel Club pedigree guidelines and if you have a majestic mutt, consider the statistics of the pedigree he most resembles.

If your dog is just slightly overweight a reduced calorie food can help him lose weight but it is advised to take an obese dog to your vet for a diet plan. The metabolism of each breed of dog is different. To aid their sleek and slender wellbeing, here are some guidelines:

Divide the daily ration into two or more feedings leaving food down no longer than 15 minutes.
Cease offering table scraps and replacing treats with carrot chips, small pieces of rice cake and chunks of apple, melon, pear or a few grapes if he has a sweet tooth. Make sure other family members are aware of this too.
Remove any human food from accessible areas and feed your humongous hound in isolation from other pets. Also, wipe any excess food from their bowls just in case he sneaks up for a snack.
Add raw vegetables to increase bulk and variety to food.
Always provide fresh water.

To further enhance your dog's healthy new lifestyle create fun ways of exercise. It may even benefit you. Warm up with a walk, at least 3 times a week, starting slow and increasing the pace but take care to notice signs of distress like excessive panting or limping. Throw toys for him to retrieve, take a gentle cycle with your dog beside you on a long leash and play catch with unusual treats like broccoli stems. Ultimately, this will be sure to keep their minds off the munchies.

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