How do you know if your dog is obese? What are the tell-tale signals and how do they impact his health?

One out of every two pets is overweight or clinically-obese, making obesity the most general disease smiting our pets. Dogs can easily become obese and their weight increase is very gradual, making it hard for owners to recognise it. Refer to the PURINA Body Condition System to find your dog’s body condition.

Overweight dogs are at higher risk of developing a variety of health problems, including:
Heart disease
Arthritis
Breathing problems
Anesthetic and surgical complicatednesses
Joint problems
Accumulated risks of certain kinds of cancer
Skin disease
Premature death
Diabetes

For your dog to reduce weight, you must reduce the number of calories he consumes while raising his energy output. By adopting a monitored plan of calorie control and average exercise, you can assist your dog lose weight steadily and safely. This approach will leave him feeling full after meals while assuring he receives sufficient nutrition.

5 helpful tips
1. Check for obesity
Ask your veterinarian for aid in distinguishing signals of obesity in your dog. Use the PURINA Body Condition System to learn if your dog is too heavy, too thin or at its ideal body term.
2. Follow a nutrition program
You and your veterinarian can produce a healthy plan that gives your dog to his perfect body condition. Refer to PURINA Life Plan found on the back of many PURINA product packages to aid you adjust feeding amounts as your dog’s activity level and body condition change.
3. Measure each serving
Don’t just fill your dog’s bowl at every feeding. Observe the feeding guidelines on the back of PURINA packages to give your dog the proper size serving for his ideal body condition.
4. Define deals
Shower your dog with love and care instead of too many high calories treats, particularly table scraps. Be mindful of the quality and amount of treats you feed him every day – calories add up quickly.
5. Get moving
Daily exercise is one of the distinguishes to your dog’s health. Only 20 minutes of walking or playing fetch each day can help maintain your dog fit. Be certain to check with your veterinarian before switching your dog’s exercise procedure.

Weight loss doesn’t come simple
PURINA Overweight Management Canine and Feline Formulas are recommended for obese dogs and cats which demand low-fat, high fiber and reduced calorie diets. Your dog requires a meat-based diet, high in protein (which isn’t stored as fat) and fat and low in carbohydrate. PRO PLAN food has appropriate levels of fat and calories to facilitate maintain dogs at a firm weight. Its optimum protein to fat ratio aids hold lean body mass to help dogs stay stronger, leaner and longer.

It is a true challenge to ideal a weight management program successfully. The success or failure depends on how well you stick to the new feeding regimen. Through your efforts, your obese pet can be healthier, happier and more lively for years to come.

Refer to PURINA Body Condition System at
http://www.purina.com.my