Obesity is a common problem among Australian pets and is caused by feeding your pet more than they need. Weight-related issues can severely affect your dog’s quality of life, so it’s important to keep them healthy.
Exercise
- Healthy dogs require exercise at least once a day. Try to factor time into your daily routine to ensure they get the exercise they need.
- A large backyard can provide space to move and run, but this is not a substitute for regular walks.
Food
- Always measure out your dog’s food so you don’t overfeed them.
- Don’t leave food out all day. This allows them to graze, which they sometimes do when they are bored rather than hungry.
- Avoid giving them human food. Commercial dog food is nutritionally balanced for dogs whereas ours isn’t.
- Your vet will also be able to help you calculate how much food your dog should be eating.
Slow down mealtimes
- Food puzzles are a great way to slow your dog down if they are fast eaters. A food puzzle is a toy that dispenses treats or food while stimulating your dog’s brain.
- This stimulation can reduce the risk of overeating from boredom.
Treats
- Treats are a ‘sometimes’ food. With dogs, just like humans, treats should be only consumed occasionally.
- They should be no more than 10% of their total daily calorie intake.
Regular trips to the vet
- Take your dog to see your yet each year to make sure they are fit and healthy.
- Your vet will be able to check if your dog’s diet is still appropriate, whether they are getting enough exercise, and spot any potential health issues.
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