How to slim down your dog

Obesity is becoming a bit of a problem in dogs with more and more cases reported each year. The trouble with an overweight dog is that they are at a high risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and joint problems which leads to trips to the vet and large bills. It is really vital that an owner doesn’t let it happen, but if it does to get on the top of the problem straight away. It may take a year for your dog to return to a normal healthy weight but it will be worth it.

You know when a dog is at the right weight when you can feel the ribs without there being any excess fat covering and from the side the dog’s belly looks as though it is tucked up. Looking at the dog from the above, you should be able to see a ‘waist’ in front of the dog’s hips. You should be able to count how many ribs your dog has by feeling, although not by looking as this may be a sign your dog is underweight.

Feeding your pet table scraps is the main reason a dog gains weight and it is strongly recommended that you don’t do this at all. Furthermore, many foods that we can enjoy are toxic to dogs such as onions and garlic.

To help slim down your dog, you should stick to your normal feeding schedule, yet simply decrease the size of the portions. Give the dog just 3/4 of the normal amount. If your dog gets a little ‘whiney’ about this, you can add a bulky vegetables to the dog food to increase the size without adding calories. Alternatively there are lower calorie foods available for dogs - your dog may not like these at first, however eventually they will get used to them.

If you feed your dog just once a day, it may be worthwhile trying out a new schedule of 2 smaller meals a day instead. Once they have eaten, take the bowl away immediately, even if there are a few biscuits remaining. Treats are completely banned if you are wanting to slim down your dog, unless you offer it a carrot or an apple which is fine.

Take weekly measurements of your dog to track the progress and watch closely the eating patterns. If your dog only nibbles at food, but does so all day long, it may be they are eating more than you thought, and in fact more than a gobbler would!

Exercise of course is important and dogs needs at least 2 walks a day. If your dog is really overweight, make sure they don’t overdo it in the exercise department at first. You can work up to a nice long walk eventually.

Do any of you have any comments or tips on how to slim down an overweight dog? Send in your comments below.

Foods that are dangerous for dogs

Although it is tempting to give your dog scraps off the table or leftovers from your own supper, there are a few foods that really are very hazardous for your dog and should not be offered under any circumstances. Some food that is suitable for humans will cause havoc with a dog, in mild cases causing indigestion, in severe cases causing illness and even death.

Here is a list of some of the foodstuffs that should never be given to dogs.
Alcoholic drinks - can cause intoxication, coma and death
Baby food - often contains onion powder that is toxic to dogs
Bones from chicken or fish - obstruction or laceration of the digestive system
Cat food - too high in protein and fats generally
Chocolate and Caffeine - very toxic, especially for small dogs. Can cause heart problems
Citrus - can cause vomiting
Fat trimmings - can cause pancreatitis
Grapes and raisins - has shown to cause damage to the kidneys
Vitamin supplements containing iron - these are likely to hurt the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs too
Liver - can be eaten in small quantities, but can cause vitamin A toxicity which affects the muscles and bones
Marijuana - causes vomiting and changes in the heart rate
Milk and dairy products - can cause diarrhoea due to insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase which is needed to break down the lactose in milk
Onion and garlic - raw, cooked, in a powder, it is all dangerous for dogs, especially onions. They contain sulfoxides and disulfides which damage red blood cells and cause anaemia.
Mushrooms - contain a variety of toxins that in large quantities can result in shock and death
Mouldy food - very likely to cause vomiting and diarrhoea
Raw eggs - these decrease the absorption of vitamin b in the body which is needed for a healthy coat and skin
Raw fish - if this is fed regularly to a dog, they have a high chance of developing seizures, or even death
Salt - electrolyte imbalances are common when salt is given in large doses
Sugary goods - obesity, dental problems and diabetes can occur (just the same as with humans in this case!)
Yeast dough - expansion in the stomach or intestines can cause pain and even rupture

This is not a completely exhaustive list of foods to not give your dog, however it is reasonably complete. If you have fed any of these to your dog in the past but haven’t noticed any problems then the chances are they are fine. If you are worried, take your pet to the vet for some advice.

Have any of you experienced any problems with a particular type of food? Send in your comments below.

How to administer pet medications

Animals do not like receiving any form of medication, and can we really blame them? It’s not a pleasant experience swallowing pills or receiving injections - and aside from anything else, most likely it means you are feeling under the weather.

When administering pills, the easiest way to do it is the Trojan horse method. That means you wrap the offending pill or capsule in the form of some kind of pet treat. Then your pet does not see it coming. Generally they won’t notice the pill and swallow it all whole, however it may be sensible to hold your pet’s mouth shut to prevent it from spitting it out until it has swallowed.

You can also give a pill directly by following these simple steps:

• Place your non-dominant hand on top of the muzzle with thumb on one side and finger on the others and gradually tilting the head slightly upward.
• Using your dominant hand to hold the pill between the your thumb and index finger, then grasp the lower jaw with your remaining three fingers to open the lower jaw farther.
• Place the pill near the side of the mouth and push it as far back as possible before closing the mouth.
• Still holding the mouth shut, gently stroke the underside of the lower jaw to encourage your dog to swallow the pill.
• Offer a treat for his good behaviour.

For liquid medicine administration, use a plastic syringe (needle-less) or dropper. Draw up the correct amount of medicine, open the mouth in the same way as outlined above and place the syringe at the cheek pouch before squirting a small amount in. If you squirt the full amount your pet is likely to choke and spit it out. Then you can slowly release the rest of the liquid while holding the lips closed until it has been swallowed. Give your pet a treat for such good behaviour!

When you need to apply eye drops, you may find it helpful if someone else holds your pet’s head, however it can be done single handed. Remember to wash your hands before and after application. Simply hold the muzzle and tilt the head with your non-dominant hand and with the other, drop the required number of drops into the eye. Shut the eye for a second to allow it to be distributed around the eye and wipe any excess away with a tissue.

Washing hands before and after any of these procedures is vital in order to avoid any contamination and infections.

If any of you have any other methods for administering medicines to your pet, please let me know. All comments are welcome.

A well fed pet is a happy pet

It is very important that your pet is consistently at the correct weight. Being either overweight or underweight can have serious health consequences and shorten their life expectancy. Overweight dogs in particular are prone to arthritic conditions in later life, greater risk of diabetes or liver problems, not to mention a general lack of energy and skin problems. Underweight dogs can suffer from bad muscle tone, longer healing times as well as no energy and even reproductive disorders. For optimum health, pets must receive adequate levels of proper nutrition which means feeding them the correct levels of suitable food.

Selecting a high quality food is very important as it will fulfil nutritional needs and keep your pet in better health than cheaper, poor quality varieties. A general guideline to follow with regards to how much to feed your (small-ish) dog is one and a half cups per 20 pounds of body weight. For larger breeds of dog however around 15% more calories per pound are needed to ensure energy levels are topped up and your pet is receiving the right nutrition.

There are a few other considerations to think about with regard to food such as the actual calorie content of the food which can be found on the label, as well as your dog’s current weight and projected weight (if not at the correct level.) Activity level is also important, as is some environmental considerations for example the daily temperature of the dog’s environment. Your veterinarian can provide further information about food quantities and the best weight for your dog.

It is sensible to avoid giving your pet any food scraps from the table as generally it won’t be designed for a dog and will interfere with its digestion. As long as your pet is receiving the correct quantity of high quality food, they will be full of energy and live a long and happy life. Do any of you have any tips on what and how much to feed a pet? Send in your comments below.

Diet plan for your pet

There are a few different factors to take into consideration when thinking about choosing an appropriate diet plan for your pet, which is why it is recommended that you talk to your veterinarian first before selecting any foods and supplements for your pet.

The age of your pet can affect the diet, with certain brands and types of foods being more appropriate for older animals than others, or other types begin suitable for younger animals only. The size of your dog and also its breed would be something else to take into consideration when selecting a diet plan as this can affect the necessary nutritional content and amount of food to be eaten. If you have a very active dog, then the correct levels of sustenance are essential which would be higher than those for a dog with an inactive lifestyle, and a diet plan able to incorporate this should be selected.

If your pet is overweight, this can affect how you feed them. Portion sizes will also play an important part of your pet’s diet in this instance. By keeping your pet at the correct weight and providing a full and healthy diet, you will undoubtedly prolong its life. Feeding your pet scraps off the table is never a good idea as this does not constitute a healthy meal, regardless of whether your pet is overweight or not. Choose a high - quality pet food and a supplement if deemed necessary to boost the health and vitality of your pet to its optimum levels.

Are there any other important factors to consider when choosing a diet plan for your pet? What foods do you find work the best for your pet? Have you noticed any benefits of a recent switch to another diet? Send in your comments below.