ARE YOU KILLING YOU DOG WITH KINDNESS?

Overweight and obesity are becoming ever increasing problems in the US, not only for we humans, but for the dogs we love and care for.  As humans we are the only ones who can be responsible for our own physical condition.   As custodians of our pets, we are, once again, the only ones responsible for their care and health.   With the new year upon us; resolutions to be made and hopefully kept.  It's time for us to make an honest assessment of our dogs' weight and how we feed them.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY DOG IS FAT?

Your hands and your eyes are your best tools in judging whether your dog is simply chubby, fat, or morbidly obese. 

TAKE AN HONEST AND UNBIASED LOOK: 

Your dog should have a "waist".  Where the ribcage ends, there should be an indentation before the hips and pelvic structures begin. If your dog looks like a coffee table with hair:  If you can set a romantic dinner for two on you dog's back,  with candles.. Your dog is fat.  

Sit on the floor, eye-level to the side or your dog.  At the underside of the rib cage the tummy should be tucked up into the groin area.

If you see a bulging/saggy  belly or you can honestly say, that if your dog wore jeans, that he/she would have  to lie down on the bed to zip them.. Your dog is fat.

USE YOUR HANDS:

Many Goldens have very large coats, and often are not fat but actually,  "fluffy".  Your hands are as important as your eyes in assessing your dogs' weight.

Ribs should be easily felt with light pressure when running your fingers along both sides of the dogs' ribcage.  Can't feel them with out hurting your dog?.. Your dog is fat.

Rub your dogs' chest;  placing your hand between the dogs front legs and stroking upwards towards their throat, you should be able to feel the breastbone without feeling a fatty mass moving up, down, or side to side.  Moving fat glob?  Your dog is fat.

Gently, grab your dogs' skin slightly back from the collar line between the shoulder blades.  You should be able to "pinch an inch".

Can't pull up any "scruff skin"?  Your dog is fat.

OTHER ASSESSMENTS

Does your dog have exercise intolerance, trouble rising from a lying position, joint pain, excessive panting in cool weather,  shortness of breath, lick granulomas, at wrist and/or knee joints or difficulty finding a comfortable position in which to lie down? Your dog may be fat.  

OKAY. YES.  I GUESS, MY DOG MAY BE FAT. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

A trip to your Vet is in order.  A full body function blood panel should be done to check for any underlying physical problems.

Goldens are prone to hypothyroidism, and other metabolic (adrenal) problems that can cause obesity, and can only be diagnosed by your Veterinarian.  

If thyroid and other body functions are normal, it is time to face the hard fact.  You are, perhaps killing your dog with kindness. It's time to make some changes.

Take a deep breath, be prepared for an honest answer, and ask your Vet if he/she thinks your dog is overweight.  He/she may have been struggling for years trying to find a nice way of telling you that your dog is obese.  Trust in the fact that when you can be honest with each other, your dog will have better care.

DIET AND EXERCISE

If your dog has no health problems; maintaining a healthy weight is, quite simply,  a matter of calories in and calories out.  If you are over feeding and your dog is not getting enough exercise to compensate; your dog is going to have a weight problem. 

Make an honest assessment of what you are putting into your dog.  Take into consideration EVERYTHING your dog is consuming. While you may think he isn't eating much based on what is put in his bowl.. you MUST evaluate what is being given that is NOT going into his bowl.  That stuff that was left over from dinner that he laid the "big brown eye treatment" on you to get. Dog biscuits, training treats, pizza bones, a slice or two of cheese, the peanut butter you needed to use to get a pill down, maybe that half loaf of bread that he copped off  the counter...All adds up to many more calories than we realize we're putting into our dogs.  

Don't feed junk. Your best bet is a premium dog food with a good balance of protein to fat ratio, and not grain as the first ingredient.   Choose a good quality dog food, and don't blindly follow the recommended feeding amounts on the bag or can.  It may be too much, it may be too little.  Use good judgment.

Know your dog..  You are the best judge of your dogs' needs.  If your dog is active and has a high metabolic rate; feed more. If your dog is a couch potato, and his idea of strenuous exercise is being kicked off the bed 4 times a night, feed less.  Calories in, calories out.  Not only simple, but in your control.

FILLING YOUR DOG UP WITHOUT FILLING HIM OUT

Fruits and vegetables (low calorie fiber) can be a great way to not only make your dog feel fuller, but keep the caloric intake down.  Fruit and veggies also make great special training treats.

Vegetables:  Vegetables are largely cellulose and bulk fiber.  Unless ground up, your dog will not be able to extract nutrients, .but they are filling and can be a special treat.  Don't rely on them as nutrients for a balanced diet.   Easiest to digest, low calorie and most filling:  canned unsweetened pumpkin and frozen or fresh blanched green beans, carrots.   Most vegetable are safe, with the exception of raw onions. Some, like broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, kale; while not unhealthy, can cause gastric distress.  Start with the easiest to digest, add vegetables one at a time, as the dog tolerates them.  If using as a part of a daily diet, mixed with food;  grind raw, or blanch.

Fruits:  Dogs, like humans , tend to like sweets.   Apples, pears (cored and peeled, no seeds please) are great low calorie treats for dogs. Frozen blueberries  banana slices, and fresh pineapple are huge treats at my house.  Peeled peach slices are also a favorite.  When feeding fruits use moderation.  Fruits are high in fructose (sugars) and can cause loose stools if over done.  NO GRAPES NO RAISINS. 

Non-fat plain yogurt with live acidophilus, or non fat cottage cheese can aid digestion.  Dairy products, even low fat or no fat should be used with caution if your dog has a lactose intolerance. 

THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF OBESITY

Heart disease, diabetes, joint deterioration/arthritis, liver and kidney malfunction.    The list is frightening and life shortening.

LOOK: FEEL: CARE: BE AWARE of what your over indulgence, in the guise of love is doing to shorten the life of your beloved companion.  Start today; don't wait until it's too late to make your dog slimmer, happier and healthier.