Health for You and Your Dog: Try Losing Weight Together
October 23, 2009
Overweight and obese dogs can develop many other ailments as a result of their obesity, and so can you. As age advances, dogs have similar problems to us in preventing an expanding waistline. A good weight loss program could benefit both of you, and it needn’t be a chore. So why not tackle two problems at once?
Fighting the Fat – Where Do We Go Wrong?
Simply put, we don’t give our older dogs enough exercise because we think they are ‘past it.’ Letting older dogs become too sedentary is just going to store up problems as their age advances. And the same goes for you. At any age, for any living creature, sedentary behavior is a sure path to poor health.
Exercise should be seen as health problem prevention and not just another chore. Consider heart health for example. You know that a lack of exercise combined with overeating will place unnecessary strain on your heart. You dogs, especially older dogs, are no different and require the same care. Keeping your dog fit will have another major benefit –reduced veterinary costs.
Facing Up to Reality
The biggest obstacle to getting overweight dogs fit and embarking on a weight loss program is their owners accepting the fact that they are fat in the first place. Some owners refuse to face this reality even when warned about the consequences by a vet.
Come on guys—no one is calling YOU chunky. Stay some perspective on reality here, and do something when your poor habits are affecting your dog. Something tells me you are a lot more sensitive about their weight than they are.
Another issue could be an underlying health condition that is preventing your dog from losing weight. Neutering your dog for example can produce imbalances in hormones that can make losing weight very difficult.
The first step is to visit your vet and get the dog a thorough examination. Your vet will then also be able to advise you on a specific dietary and exercise program that will work.
Make it Work for Both of You
Losing weight together requires a certain amount of discipline, but the fact that you have a partner with the same goals as you can make it much easier and much more enjoyable.
Never mind that you can’t “discuss” your united goals with your partner. Your dog will adapt to this well if you lead. Remember, dogs always look up to their owners and older dogs are even more inclined to follow because the bond you share is so strong.
First, try basic things, such as increasing the length and pace of walks, but do this gradually. Try a slow jog instead of a walk to start with. Another good exercise for you both is swimming. This is especially helpful for dogs and humans with arthritis because the water reduces the load on the limbs.
Make sure to keep your exercise routine to a daily regime rather than cramming things in once every other day or at weekends. By building up both of your fitness levels slowly, you will be in shape before you know it. Finally, remember to encourage the dog often and keep it fun!
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