5 Home Remedies That Can Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Like humans, dogs are at risk of multiple diseases if they put on too much weight. From heart disease to decreased stamina and liver function, among other diseases, obesity in dogs is a serious condition you need to be aware of.
Fortunately, if you’ve noticed your furry friend has put on a few pounds or more, there are home remedies you can adopt to remedy the situation. These include:
1. Reducing Your Dog’s Daily Caloric Intake
One of the things that make dogs add too much weight is uncontrolled snacking. Try scheduling your dog’s meals and avoid in-between snacking.
However, if you’ve been strict about what your pet eats but he or she is still gaining weight, it may be time to consider cutting down their calories. Speak to your veterinarian if you’re unsure how many calories your pup should eat in a day.
Practically, each pet’s weight is in lbs/2.2) x 30] +70 Of course, each pet’s metabolism is different so be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting a diet.
2. Exercise
Physical activity will also help shed those extra pounds. However, to get results, you need to pick a strenuous exercise and increase the intensity gradually. 15-minute sessions twice a day, combined with a healthy diet, will yield faster results. For dogs with chronic joint pain that may interfere with physical activity, talk to your vet about cannabis to relieve pain. You can buy these products from Sunday Scaries.
3. Limit Food Rewards
It’s human nature to reward dogs with delicious treats when they do something right. However, if you don’t watch this habit closely, it could lead to uncontrolled weight gain. Instead of rewarding your dog with treats, consider healthier options.
4. Incorporate More Fiber Into Your Dog’s Diet
A fibre-rich diet will also do wonders in helping your dog lose those extra pounds. There are several ways to start adding fibre to their diet. For starters, you can replace their unhealthy treats with healthier fibre-rich options.
You can also add mix-ins to your furry friend’s diet. Most dogs love carrots and fresh bites of apples. Canned pumpkin is also a good addition because it helps soothe dogs’ stomachs.
5. Switch to Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Foods
Most dog foods are rich in carbohydrates and low in protein, which causes inefficient energy and weight gain. Consult your vet on the best protein-rich foods for dogs and you’ll notice a difference. High-protein diets are more filling and tend to have fewer calories compared to their high-carbohydrate counterparts.
6. Try to Measure Meals
One of the greatest tools any pet parents should have and celebrate is in the fight against excess weight in a measuring cup. Too many pet owners simply fill the bowl or “guesstimate” how much they’re feeding. In worst cases, some pets, especially cats, are fed an “all-day buffet” that results from the “just keep the bowl full” feeding method. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention conducted some research to prove and validate that feeding as few as 10 extra tiny kibbles of food per day can add up to a pound of weight gain per year in indoor cats and small dogs. After you calculate how many calories your pet needs, determine how much food you should feed each meal – and measure it accordingly.
7. Go for Smart Supplements
A few smart supplements might probably assist greatly in your fight to keep your pet (and you) fit and trim and maintain a good weight balance. Almost every dog, cat and person can benefit from taking a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Practically, I consider this one of the best Home Remedies You can integrate to Help Your Dog Lose Weight efficaciously.
These powerful fish oils are powerfully filled with a potent antioxidant that has been proven to aid, prevent and treat numerous diseases. Additionally, they might also help ease achy joints and most probably encourage weight loss. Another very important supplement is L-carnitine, L-carnitine has been shown to aid weight loss and promote lean muscle mass in some studies. I’ve been prescribing (and taking) l-carnitine for over 13 years and the result has been remarkably awesome. Ask your veterinarian if either (or both) of these supplements make sense for your pet’s condition and which ones are good quality.
Wrapping Up
If your dog has put on too many pounds and you’re concerned, no need to worry. With these tips, you can get your furry friend in shape within no time. However, make sure you consult your veterinarian before switching your dog’s diet or trying any exercise regimen.
References
https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/how-to-help-your-dog-lose-weight/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/
https://www.rover.com/blog/help-your-dog-lose-weight/
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/cannabis-dog-can-help/