| Karen Frost / Sandy Antrim K & S Bulldogs HC3 Box 11B Birch Tree MO. 65438 573 292 4433 417 247 0265 |
Hey Fatso – Dog Obesity
Dog obesity is becoming a growing problem. One estimate puts the percentage of overweight dogs as high as 50%. We are loving our dogs to death. Yes – death. We are not
doing Harry any favors by overfeeding him. An obese dog is a walking time bomb.
It is not simply the amount of food we feed Charlie; it is the type. Obese dogs often suffer from malnutrition. There are bodies are starved for the minerals, vitamins, protein and
other essential elements they need to be healthy. Ironically, a fat dog is lacking many of the basic nutritional requirements he or she needs to live.
A fat dog is not a happy dog. This is a myth. On the surface it may so appear. Beneath all those layers, however, you will find a dog with all sorts of physical problems. A fat dog
should also not make you happy. The increased risks to your friend and companion’s health are very real. Chunk Charlie is nothing to rejoice about.
Fat Facts:
1. Fat dogs experience increased health problems. If a dog is 30% over the ideal weight for his age, breed and gender, the chance of health issues increases greatly.
2. An obese dog is more prone to complications or risks during an operation.
3. Obese dogs more open to incidents of injury.
4. Extra poundage creates increased stress on the joints and organs.
5. The risk to obesity increases with age. A slow down of the metabolic rate and a decrease in exercise results in the dog gaining weight.
6. Fat puppies can result in fat adults. There is a predisposition towards this weight gain.
7. Certain dog breeds are at risk for obesity. These include the Basset Hound, the Beagle, the Cairn Terrier, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Long-haired Daschund, the
Labrador Retriever and the Shetland Sheepdog.
8. Obese dogs may become diabetic.
Having a fat pet is not an option if you wish to have a healthy animal. If you wish to increase the quality of life, if you want your pet to live longer, you have to make sure Peppy is
not obese. This does not require complicated or expensive measures. It does require you are aware of your dog’s intake. You also need to ensure exercise is an integral part
of his or her lifestyle. You must know your dog. You must also let everyone know what he or she can have. Be particularly vigilant around the peak problem times: visits and
holidays.
Before you place Fido on a diet, make sure you take him to your vet. Talk to your Vet about the problem. In all probability, the vet has warned you previously about your dog’s
increasing girth. Heed the advice. It may be as simple as decreasing caloric intake and increasing exercise. It may also mean the purchasing of lite dog food or food geared
towards the pet’s life stage.
Once you have begun the regime, stick with it. Do not allow the cute eyes and mournful sighs sway you. You have to have willpower since your dog will have none. Make sure
everyone in your household is on the same page. If necessary, accompany all small children with food at dog level or place the dog elsewhere when a child is snacking. Dog’s
have no shame. They will cradle rob and steal from small children.
Make sure your dog has a follow-up visit. You need to weigh the beasty again. You also need to make sure all other aspects of his or her health remain constant or improve.
Remember. You are doing this out of love for your pet. You want your canine companion to live a long, healthy and happy life.
Boston Terriers United All Breed English Bulldogs American Kennel Club |
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| Dog Obesity |
Picking your Vet
You do not need to take your dog to the vet all the time. In fact, you hope you never have to go there on a regular basis. At the same time, you do need a vet. A vet is
responsible for your dog’s welfare. A vet is there when you need emergency services or for the annual shots and check up. Because the vet is an integral part of being
a responsible pet owner, you need to choose the vet with care.
Before you decide, be sure you know as much as possible about this vet. Try to get some information from different sources. Does a friend use this vet? Do other dog
owners recommend this service? Does your former Vet, if you are moving into this town or community, suggest you use these services? Is the vet well-known and
received in the community?
Once you have this data, plan for a visit. Do so the first time without your pet. Arrange for a visit or drop in to the offices. See if they are clean. Are the premises
crowded? What services do they offer? Is the receptionist friendly and helpful? Is he or she aware of protocol and what you want or need? See how the receptionist and
the personnel handle the patients and their people. Ask if it is possible to go back to the treatment or examination rooms? Try to arrange for time to talk to the vet or
vets. Make sure you get a sense of whether their philosophies and approach to animal care is the same as your own.
There are other things to take into consideration. Cost and location, parking and hours of operation are also significant factors. How late is the facility open for? Can it
handle emergencies? Does it have enough parking and emergency parking? If you have to take a taxi or other form of transportation is it easily accessible? Do they
have a pick-up and drop-off service you could use in case it is necessary? Some Vet hospitals have this arrangement and will pick up your pet, take him or her for
routine shots and return them afterwards for a specified cost. This can save you time and bother if you do not have a vehicle. Remember, some taxis do not take pets.
Reaching the vet is one thing, paying for the services another thing. While we all love our pets, payment of a vet bill can sometimes be a problem. Does the vet allow
partial payments? How does it handle dog insurance? Can it defer payment? Does it have pro bona cases or does it demand everything up front before treating an
animal? Sometimes the payment system will reflect the nature of the vet services.
When you feel you have enough information on the vets in your area, narrow down the search to one or more. If you can, take your dog in for an initial visit with the top
choice. See how the vet reacts with your dog. Notice carefully how your animal responds to the vet. Ask the vet questions while he or she examines your dog. See if
they answer you without condescending or meaningless (to you) terminology. In other words, does the vet know how to relate to both you and your companion? If,
however, the vet errs on the side of better communication with your dog consider that a plus in the vet’s favor. After all, if your dog has to spend time with the vet, it is
important your animal feels comfortable and safe in his or her hands.
You do not need to take your dog to the vet all the time. In fact, you hope you never have to go there on a regular basis. At the same time, you do need a vet. A vet is
responsible for your dog’s welfare. A vet is there when you need emergency services or for the annual shots and check up. Because the vet is an integral part of being
a responsible pet owner, you need to choose the vet with care.
Before you decide, be sure you know as much as possible about this vet. Try to get some information from different sources. Does a friend use this vet? Do other dog
owners recommend this service? Does your former Vet, if you are moving into this town or community, suggest you use these services? Is the vet well-known and
received in the community?
Once you have this data, plan for a visit. Do so the first time without your pet. Arrange for a visit or drop in to the offices. See if they are clean. Are the premises
crowded? What services do they offer? Is the receptionist friendly and helpful? Is he or she aware of protocol and what you want or need? See how the receptionist and
the personnel handle the patients and their people. Ask if it is possible to go back to the treatment or examination rooms? Try to arrange for time to talk to the vet or
vets. Make sure you get a sense of whether their philosophies and approach to animal care is the same as your own.
There are other things to take into consideration. Cost and location, parking and hours of operation are also significant factors. How late is the facility open for? Can it
handle emergencies? Does it have enough parking and emergency parking? If you have to take a taxi or other form of transportation is it easily accessible? Do they
have a pick-up and drop-off service you could use in case it is necessary? Some Vet hospitals have this arrangement and will pick up your pet, take him or her for
routine shots and return them afterwards for a specified cost. This can save you time and bother if you do not have a vehicle. Remember, some taxis do not take pets.
Reaching the vet is one thing, paying for the services another thing. While we all love our pets, payment of a vet bill can sometimes be a problem. Does the vet allow
partial payments? How does it handle dog insurance? Can it defer payment? Does it have pro bona cases or does it demand everything up front before treating an
animal? Sometimes the payment system will reflect the nature of the vet services.
When you feel you have enough information on the vets in your area, narrow down the search to one or more. If you can, take your dog in for an initial visit with the top
choice. See how the vet reacts with your dog. Notice carefully how your animal responds to the vet. Ask the vet questions while he or she examines your dog. See if
they answer you without condescending or meaningless (to you) terminology. In other words, does the vet know how to relate to both you and your companion? If,
however, the vet errs on the side of better communication with your dog consider that a plus in the vet’s favor. After all, if your dog has to spend time with the vet, it is
important your animal feels comfortable and safe in his or her hands.
| Picking Your Vet |
Article written by Kirk Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a extraordinary selection of dog seat covers online.
Content written by Jenny Hamilton of Oh My Dog Supplies, the best store to purchase large dog beds online.