Weight loss for fat dogs seems like a no-brainer. The easiest way to tell if your pet needs to shed a few pounds is to feel around its ribs and spine. You should be able to feel both, with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones. If you can’t find its ribcage, you definitely have an overweight dog.
Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s weight at the point when it reaches maturity. As a rule of thumb 15% above the ideal weight is obese, whereas 10% to 15% is considered overweight. If your dog weighs more than it should, don’t be discouraged. In industrialized nations more than 20% of all dogs are overweight or obese.
Keeping track of your dog’s weight can be a relatively easy task. Your vet will weigh your dog every visit and you’ll then be able to determine whether you’re overfeeding your dog or not.
Some breeds of dogs are naturally prone to obesity, while others like Greyhounds and German Shepherds are characteristically slim.
Small and medium size breeds are just as likely to be overweight or obese as are larger dogs. Some of the smaller and medium size dogs with a tendency to put on excess weight are Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, and Basset Hounds.
Among larger breeds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers tend to be the most susceptible breeds for weight gain.
Although not as common, giant breeds like the Bernese Mountain Dog, Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards can easily put on extra weight and you may not even notice until the dog becomes obese.
If you are serious about weight loss for your fat dog, you should begin feeding it a daily regimen of Winston’s Digest All to speed up weight loss. Overweight dogs usually lose an average of five pounds within the first two to three months of a daily regimen of Digest All.
