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We’ve all heard it said “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It seems that many of us think that’s true of our dogs too. We tend to think of giving treats as a way to show our love and devotion to our pets. Unfortunately, what we most often end up doing is making our pet overweight in the process. In the long run, what we are really doing for our dogs is “killing with kindness.”
Why the Big Deal About Overweight Dogs?
Is being overweight really that a big a deal for your dog? In a word, yes. Being overweight puts your dog at risk for developing a whole range of health problems, from arthritis to heart disease and lots of things in between.
But my dog is only a few pounds overweight, you say. That’s not that bad, right? Wrong. Depending on the size of your dog, even a pound or two can be a big deal. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an extra 3 pounds on a 15-pound dog is comparable to 30 pounds for a 150 pound man or woman. Now that helps put things in perspective a little more, doesn’t it?
You and Your Dog: Losing Weight Together
What pet owner Peggy Frezon discovered when she visited her dog Kelly’s veterinarian was that not only was Kelly overweight but her veterinarian’s concerns for Kelley echoed Peggy’s doctor’s concerns for her own health. As a result, Peggy set out to shed some unneeded pounds for both Kelly and herself.
In this interview for Animal Cafe, Peggy, author of Dieting with My Dog, shares with me some tips for losing weight with your dog and explains her motivations for starting her dual weight loss program as well. I think you’ll find some useful suggestions as well as some inspiration in the interview. Enjoy.
Have you started a weight loss program with your pet? We’d love to hear about your experiences and celebrate your successes. Please share by leaving a comment below.
All Photos Courtesy of Peggy Frezon
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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Great tips on monitoring your pet’s weight and keeping it down for both you and your dog! Pets in the West and developed countries tend to become overweight and obese because of spoiling by their owners! And pets tend to be a reflection of their owners so if the person is overweight, mostly likely their pets will be too.
All valid points, Aria. Thank you.