Tips about your dog

Talk about weight and obesity is everywhere these days. In fact, being overweight is bad foryour health. We know it's true for humans. Doctors tell us it's true. Overweight and obesehumans suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and bone and joint problems. It's commonknowledge.But did you know what your dog can be overweight, too? In fact, every extra pound costs yourdog in risks to its health. As a responsible and loving dog owner, you should do everything youcan to maintain a healthy diet and weight for your beloved pet.You need to know that weight gain for dogs is even more harmful than it is for humans. Poundfor-pound, weight gain is more dangerous for your dog. When you gain a pound or two, yourclothes may get tight, but generally things stay the same. When your dog gains a pound or two,he's adding a significant amount. This extra weight costs him in energy, makes his heart workharder, and puts relatively more pressure on his bones and joints. And your dog can't tell youwhat it's doing to him. You may not learn about emerging serious health problems until theannual exam at your vet's office.Physical problems resulting from obesity are just, if not more, serious for dogs as they are forpeople. Dogs can't give you information about how they feel, so they must be diagnosed by avet. If they are ill, the cost of care may be much more than you had ever thought of spending.Yet, if you love your pet, you will spend what is necessary to avoid pain and early death. Itstands to reason that keeping your dog healthy before problems begin is a good way to save alot of heartache and a lot of money!As with humans, being over-weight can significantly reduce your dog's chances of living a longlife. It can also create health problems that reduce the quality of his life throughout. Loving petowners take care to feed their dog a consistent, measured amount of nutritious food each day,provide regular exercise, and visit the veterinarian regularly.If your dog looks a bit chubbier than he did a few weeks ago, or if his tummy is bulging, you maywant to take him to see his physician - the vet. Regular visits will help you and your vet keepHow To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health© Wings Of Success Page 24 of 79track of changes in his weight over time so that you catch tendencies to gain more quickly. It'smuch easier to prevent weight-gain in dogs than to reduce it. Most vets keep weight and growthrecords for their patients, and your vet can compare your dog's information with that of otherdogs from the same breed. Your vet is the best source of information on your dog's currentcondition, his ideal condition, and what you can do to assure a long, healthy life for your bestfriend.Because you feed your dog, you are ultimately responsible for your dog's weight. If he's obese,it's because you feed him too much or don't give him the proper nutritious diet. It may also meanyou're not paying enough attention to his exercise routine. If your dog is gaining weight despitea well-monitored diet, you should investigate the cause. He may have a medical condition thatneeds attention, or perhaps someone in your family is feeling him scraps from the table. Yourneighbor could even been sneaking him treats while you're not looking!Whatever the cause, it is very important that you control your dog's diet and maintain him at ahealthy weight. Keeping your dog healthy will save you much money in the long run and giveyou a happy, healthy companion for years to come.