He’s not fat, he’s just fluffy!
As dog fanatics and owners ourselves, all of us at Clonskeagh Vets know that our pet pooches love a treat. However, just as with us humans, too much food can lead to your dog becoming overweight or obese. Apart from them feeling tired a lot of the time, obesity can lead to a shortened lifespan as a result of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pancreatitis and arthritis. Making sure your dog has a balanced diet and gets plenty of exercise is the best way to ensure their waistline stays in check.
Instead of treating them with food, try treating them in different ways such as with a tummy rub, a game or a nice cuddle. These types of interactive treats are also longer lasting than food treats which may be consumed in a matter of seconds.
If you do decide to give your dog food-related treats, make sure you take this out of their daily food intake so that you don’t overfeed them. This chart gives an idea of the equivalent number of doughnuts for a person contained in common dog treats.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight or health, speak to your vet for advice. We can help you to come up with the right feeding plan for your dog to ensure they stay happy and healthy.
By Dr. Steve Hallahan MVB PgCertDent MRCVS @drstevethevet@gmail.com
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