The Overweight Dog

<h1>The Overweight Dog</h1>Author: <a title="John Burns" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/john-burns/28937.htm">John Burns</a> Many owners are surprised when they are told that their dog is overweight. The easiest way to tell is by feeling the ribcage. The ribs should be easily and clearly felt with little flesh between the fingers when you pinch the skin.

Although many breeders like to see a good covering of fat on breeds such as labrador retrievers, it is now accepted by leading experts in the field that a lean dog is not only a healthier dog, but tends to live a longer active life than one which is overweight (n.b A 14 year trial by a major US dog food company).

There's no ideal weight chart for all dogs, but as a general rule of thumb, the following is offered as a guide:

* Too Thin: The dog's ribs are highly visible.

* Ideal Body Condition: You can feel and see outline of ribs. The dog has a waist when viewed from above. It's belly is tucked up when viewed from the side.

* Too Heavy: You cannot see a waist when viewed from above. Belly is rounded when viewed from the side.

Obesity is an accumulation of excess fat in the body as a result of an energy (calorie) intake which exceeds requirements.

"Why are 40 percent of dogs in the U.S. overweight or obese? The answer is simple: Too much food and too little exercise," said Claudia A. Kirk, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Nutrition, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee.

Obesity tends to occur in the pet which is less active physically whereas the active pet will tend to discharge the excess.

Obesity is associated with shortened lifespan, disease of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, rheumatism and arthritis. The overweight pet cannot tolerate warm weather, is less able to exercise and will generally have less fun than a lean, healthy pet.

Specialist or Veterinary diets for weight control are usually high in fibre (cellulose which is indigestible plant material) to reduce the digestibility of the food. These foods are an expensive way of producing lots of faeces.

Burns High Oats Recipe, which is low in fat and protein, can be helpful as a dietetic food. Oats have a higher fibre than rice which means that the higher fibre level is due to the food ingredients themselves rather than an 'additive'.

Vegetables (cooked and raw) can safely be included to help fill the dog if you think that is needed. It is important to check the weight regularly to ensure that the weight reduction programme is on course. It is better to lose weight slowly than rapidly - 1/2 lb per week for a small dog up to 2 lb a week for a large dog.

If your dog is overweight it could be that you are not getting enough exercise!About the Author: John Burns is a qualified veterinarian 
who for the past fourteen years has also been producing a natural, holistic and 
complete food for dogs and cats, Burns Real Food - free of artificial colours, 
flavourings and preservatives. 
As a practising Veterinary Surgeon, John became increasingly concerned about the 
quality of pet foods on the market, and how nutrition was playing a part in the 
poor health of the pets that he was seeing in his surgery. 
Burns Pet Nutrition are known for being an ethical company with excellent customer 
service and nutrition support which can be accessed via their website <a href="http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk"><a href="http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk" target="_blank">www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk</a> 
</a> Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-overweight-dog-190214.html" title="The Overweight Dog">The Overweight Dog</a>

Many owners are surprised when they are told that their dog is overweight. The easiest way to tell is by feeling the ribcage. The ribs should be easily and clearly felt with little flesh between the fingers when you pinch the skin.

Although many breeders like to see a good covering of fat on breeds such as labrador retrievers, it is now accepted by leading experts in the field that a lean dog is not only a healthier dog, but tends to live a longer active life than one which is overweight (n.b A 14 year trial by a major US dog food company).

There's no ideal weight chart for all dogs, but as a general rule of thumb, the following is offered as a guide:

* Too Thin: The dog's ribs are highly visible.

* Ideal Body Condition: You can feel and see outline of ribs. The dog has a waist when viewed from above. It's belly is tucked up when viewed from the side.

* Too Heavy: You cannot see a waist when viewed from above. Belly is rounded when viewed from the side.

Obesity is an accumulation of excess fat in the body as a result of an energy (calorie) intake which exceeds requirements.

"Why are 40 percent of dogs in the U.S. overweight or obese? The answer is simple: Too much food and too little exercise," said Claudia A. Kirk, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Nutrition, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee.

Obesity tends to occur in the pet which is less active physically whereas the active pet will tend to discharge the excess.

Obesity is associated with shortened lifespan, disease of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, rheumatism and arthritis. The overweight pet cannot tolerate warm weather, is less able to exercise and will generally have less fun than a lean, healthy pet.

Specialist or Veterinary diets for weight control are usually high in fibre (cellulose which is indigestible plant material) to reduce the digestibility of the food. These foods are an expensive way of producing lots of faeces.

Burns High Oats Recipe, which is low in fat and protein, can be helpful as a dietetic food. Oats have a higher fibre than rice which means that the higher fibre level is due to the food ingredients themselves rather than an 'additive'.

Vegetables (cooked and raw) can safely be included to help fill the dog if you think that is needed. It is important to check the weight regularly to ensure that the weight reduction programme is on course. It is better to lose weight slowly than rapidly - 1/2 lb per week for a small dog up to 2 lb a week for a large dog.

If your dog is overweight it could be that you are not getting enough exercise!

John Burns is a qualified veterinarian
who for the past fourteen years has also been producing a natural, holistic and
complete food for dogs and cats, Burns Real Food - free of artificial colours,
flavourings and preservatives.
As a practising Veterinary Surgeon, John became increasingly concerned about the
quality of pet foods on the market, and how nutrition was playing a part in the
poor health of the pets that he was seeing in his surgery.
Burns Pet Nutrition are known for being an ethical company with excellent customer
service and nutrition support which can be accessed via their website www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk

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