We were recently asked for some advice on flying with dogs across the U.S. Clearly a large dog is not going to be able to fly with you in the plane cabin
One of the most important things you can do to assist your overweight big dogs or avoid obesity overall is to make sure they get plenty of exercise. Exercising your small, medium sized dogs or big dogs helps them burn off the extra energy and calories they gain when they eat.
Here are some tips from a fellow dog owner, Robert of Dog Gear City.
As a dog owner, I can attest that it is not always easy to find the time to give your dog enough exercise. However, being the keep-fit-fanatic I am, I frequently find ways to incorporate appropriate workouts for my dog while also exercising.
You should see your veterinarian about this since they will provide you with all the necessary information about your breed's ideal weight. They will also advise you on what to do to help your dog achieve this weight, whether reduce weight by going on a diet or gaining weight by eating more.
Another often-overlooked way to help your dog eat healthier is to avoid giving them rewards when they haven't earned them. Treats and special meals should only be used when your dog behaves well or performs requested tasks. Also, keep in mind that using treats without reason will cause them to lose their value. Don't be surprised if your dog loses the desire to please you because the treats are no longer as valuable to them.
Small dog breeds are usually more prone to become obese than big dog breeds because they often eat much more than they actually need. This does not mean that their size should be the only factor you take into account when deciding on how much food your dog needs. If you already have a small breed, however, consult with your veterinarian about the appropriate nutrition intake for them.
Remember that weight gain is also caused by poor lifestyle choices like eating unhealthy foods or portions that are too large. You may think giving your dog treats every now and then won't hurt, but it really will if this happens frequently. Therefore, make sure you stick to healthy habits until your dog reaches amounts of weight acceptable for their breed.
The ideal weight for medium sized dogs is slightly different from big and small breeds. However, as long as the size falls within the recommended zone for your breed, you shouldn't have a problem with being overweight. Also, it's important to monitor them closely since they're more prone to obesity than bigger breeds.
If you know that your dog needs a diet but want to avoid going through complicated process of monitoring their food intake, there are a number of high-quality diets out there designed specifically for this purpose. This way you don't have to worry about nutritional values because these meals have been already composed by professionals.
When it comes to big dogs, make sure you take their individual conditions into account. There's no superior way to determine what your dog should weigh; instead, focus on their unique needs. Some dogs are already overweight or obese when they are born because of the genetics passed down by their parents. Other large breeds tend to be more muscular and thus need less fat in their diets than other dogs do. The breed is also important factor in how much weight your dog needs to lose (or gain).
Check Our Ultimate Dogsized Guide to know the baseline weight of your big dogs, small dog breeds or medium sized dogs.
Robert Cain | Owner, Dog Gear City
We were recently asked for some advice on flying with dogs across the U.S. Clearly a large dog is not going to be able to fly with you in the plane cabin
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