How to Choose the Best Dog Food to Prevent Obesity

pug bulldog dog obesity

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), Obesity “continues to be a growing problem, affecting the majority of US dogs.” In fact, APOP says that “54 percent of dogs were overweight or obese in 2015.” *

Maintaining your dog at a proper weight is a great way to help it live a long, healthy life. To know the proper weight for your dog at various stages of its life, you should consult your veterinarian or a breeder familiar with dog’s breed.

Health concerns associated with obesity in dogs are orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiorespiratory disease, urinary disorders, and dermatological diseases to name a few. Also, obesity can shorten a dog’s life span.

Typically, obesity in dogs occurs when the dog is eating too much dog food or treats, not getting enough exercise, or eating scarps from the table.

If you feel that your dog is overweight, take your dog to a veterinarian for a complete physical to rule out that your dog is not suffering from any diseases that might be causing it to be obese.

If your dog does not have a disease that is making it gain weight, you might want to increase your dog’s exercise time and the intensity of exercise, reduce the quantity of food it eats as well as the number of treats, and eliminate feeding your dog food scraps. By following these suggestions, you should be able to get your dog down to a healthy weight.

There are dog foods that are formulated to reduce weight and help prevent obesity in dogs.

Reading dog food labels can help you determine which foods are formulated to keep the pounds off your pooch. Look for foods that are: high in protein and low in fat, help metabolize fat, maintain lean muscle, and contain a high level of vitamins and minerals.

The following is a list of dog foods that can help prevent your dog from becoming obese:

Dog Food for Puppies:

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula w/Roasted Venison and Bison is a grain-free puppy food which provides the proper nutrition a growing puppy needs. It’s made with real roasted meat and a blend of protein sources for energy, plus natural vegetables and fruits for antioxidant support.

Halo Spot’s Stew Wholesome Chicken Recipe Puppy Food is an all natural puppy food made with natural ingredients and reinforced with vitamins and minerals. It is made specifically to meet a puppy’s growing needs.  It does not contain: by product meals, preservatives, corn or wheat.

Dog Food for Adult Dogs:

Prescription Diet r/d Canine Weight Reduction – is especially formulated to reduce a dog’s body fat by 22% in two months. Prescription Diet r/d Canine Weight Reduction dog food has been clinically proven to promote healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Salmon Recipe for dogs– is an all-natural protein rich, low carbohydrate blend dry dog food with concentrated nutrients to support your dog’s active lifestyle.

Dog Food for Senior Dogs:

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Chicken Recipe Senior Dog Food is a grain-free protein-rich food that contains the nutrition dogs need, including a precise blend of nutrients and antioxidants selected to help maintain the health of your senior dog.

Purina Canine OM Overweight Management Formula for senior dogs is beneficial in the management of obesity while meeting the nutritional needs of your pet.

In summary, obesity in dogs has become a major health concern. An overweight dog can develop joint problems as well as health issues that could shorten its lifespan. If you suspect your dog has put on excess weight, a veterinarian will be able to determine if the weight gain is disease related or diet related. If the latter, your veterinarian will recommend a weight-loss program which will include exercise and a calorie restriction diet. There are many healthy food options on the market these days that can help your dog lose weight and keep it off.

*Source: US Pet Obesity Grows; Veterinarians Call for Standardization of Obesity Scale. (2016, March 15) https://www.petobesityprevention.org/us-pet-obesity-grows-veterinarians-call-for-standardization-of-obesity-scale/   Accessed on March 28, 2016.

Do you have any tips that can help a dog lose weight?

If yes, please share them in the comments section.

Share This:Share on Facebook0Tweet about this on TwitterPin on Pinterest0Email this to someone

About author View all posts

admin

admin

Allivet.com, Trusted Pet Pharmacy Since 1992.
Allivet.com supplies everything from prescription, non-prescription medication for farm and companion animals, pet medication, pet flea control, pet vitamins, veterinarian diagnostic devices, equine supplements & medications, equine performance products, equine vaccines, and much more at highly affordable prices.

Leave a Reply