Pet Stores Melbourne

Is Your Dog Overweight?

To tell if your pet is overweight and should lose a few kilos, you should feel around your dog's ribs and spine. You should (if your dog is not overweight) be able to find both with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones. If you can’t feel or find your dog's ribcage, you have an overweight dog.

It is important to ask your vet to evaluate your dog’s size at every check-up. Once your dog reaches maturity, ask for his optimal weight. Just for a general rule, 15% above the optimal weight for your dog is obese; zero to 15% is overweight. If your dog happens to fall into one of the two categories listed above, it's important to know your dog isn't the only one. In a 2011 study, 53% of dogs are either overweight or obese.

Weighing Your Dog

Weigh your dog weekly or monthly. You need to make sure your dog is in good shape and not eating too much.

You can always pop into your local vet to use their scales. It shouldn't be a problem.

Either way, you must weigh your dog periodically, to ensure your dog's weight is steady. 

Your Dog's Breed May Be The Issue

Some breeds of dogs are prone to be overweight or obese whilst some are slim - such as:
Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers. List of breeds that tend to be overweight and/or obese:

• Cairn Terriers
• Dachshunds
• Scottish Terriers
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Medium breeds:

• Beagles
• Cocker Spaniels
• Basset Hounds

Large breeds:

• Labs
• Golden Retrievers
• Rottweilers

Giant breeds:

• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Newfoundlands
• Saint Bernards

Are You The Reason Why Your Dog Is Overweight?

Another non-genetic reason why your dog is overweight or obese is you, the owner, might be over feeding your dog and not exercising your dog enough.

Pet owners love to see their dog happy and cheerful - and that may mean feeding your dog when not necessary. It's crucial to set a routine and keep at it when feeding your dog, so you know what works and what doesn't.

Portion Control is Mandatory

It's mandatory to know much food to give your dog. If you continuously give your dog food when it doesn't need it, your dog will get overweight then obese.

Get advice from your vet on the right proportion of food to give to your dog, so you can assure yourself that you're feeding your dog healthily and correctly.

Read more at Pet Stores Melbourne and find the best pet stores in Melbourne at http://www.petstoresmelbourne.com.au

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