How Heavy Should Your Dog Be?
It is estimated that 56% of dogs are either overweight or obese, making obesity the most common preventable disease in dogs. However, owning one is still out of reach for the average pet owner. They may not even realize that their pet is overweight. As a dog owner, someone should be able to estimate how much your dog should weigh. This is because obesity can increase the risk of diseases such as arthritis, liver disease, bladder and urinary tract diseases, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and possibly cancer.
How much should my dog weight?
The American Kennel Club actually has a comprehensive table of ideal weights based on dog breed. This may provide a general guideline for owners of purebred dogs, but your dog's ideal weight is most affected by his size, not his breed. And if your dog is a mixed breed, their ideal weight may not equal the ideal weight for their larger breeds. Whether your dog is a purebred dog or a mixed breed recognized by the AKC, most veterinarians agree that using something called a body condition score is the best way to determine a dog's weight. Too much or not. Underweight, underweight or not ideal weight.
What is Body Position Score?
The (BCS) is a grading dog's body condition. Instead of looking at weight or body mass index as in humans, this numbering system uses physical characteristics to determine a dog's body condition. It typically uses a 1–5 scoring system, although some may use a 1–9 scale, with the lowest point being the lowest weight, the highest point being the highest weight, and the middle scale. ideal weight. Using the BCS Scale 5, the characteristics that differentiate each grade are as follows :-
1. Very Skinny:- Dogs with 1/5 BCS have very little fat. They have very prominent ribs, lumbar spine and backbone.
2. Underweight:- Dogs with 2/5 BCS will still be slightly obese, with their ribs still visible. However, they may have more fat on their hips and spine, which makes them less prominent.
3. Ideal:- A dog with 3/5 BCS is ideal body weight. They will have no visible ribs, lumbar spine, or backbone. However, the ribs should be easily felt when you pick up your dog and run your hand over them. If you look at them from above, they should have a clear waist behind their ribs, where their silhouette narrows before widening to the hips again.
4. Overweight:- Dogs with 4/5 BCS will have more fat on their ribs and hips and the ribs will be a little harder to feel. You may need to press something while keeping your hand on them to feel them. Looking up you will see that there is a mark between the ribs.
5. Obesity:- 5/5 BCS Dogs have a large layer of fat on their ribs, which is very difficult if not impossible to feel. In addition, they may have more fat at the base of their hip and tail bones, and more fat at the elbows and knees. As seen above, you will not see any distance from the waist and you will have a straight silhouette from the ribs to the waist and back.
A BCS scoring system on a scale of 1-9 will have more subtle features that differentiate the different grades. For most pet owners, the 1-5 scale system is easy to use and is still an accurate way to determine your dog's body condition.
It is important to note that different species have different physiology. Dogs such as the Greyhound, Whippet and Italian Greyhound tend to be lighter than stronger breeds such as the Mastiff and Bulldog. Some breeds have thicker breasts than others. The breasts of the Boxer, Doberman Pinscher and Greyhound will be thicker than those of breeds such as the Mastiff and Bulldog, which means that their belly will naturally be heavier. Thus, a Greyhound with a 3/5 bcs waist may have a more prominent waist than a 3/5 bcs mastiff, but both can have ideal body conditions.
What can I do if my dog is overweight or obese?
So you determined your dog's BCS and you determined he was overweight or maybe overweight. What can you do about it? The easiest place to start is to reduce your daily food intake and gradually reduce your daily caloric intake. It is important to try to lose weight slowly, gradually, as sudden excessive weight loss can have serious medical consequences. If your dog is prone to overeating and you are concerned about not feeding him too much, you should include high-fiber, low-calorie dog-safe foods such as vegetables in 15% of his daily dog food. do. Can you replace it with beans? or roots.
With the exception of a portion of your dog's food, treat it throughout the day and be careful not to get distracted, as this can contribute to an overdose. Because treats are an important part of training and bonding, you can still treat them as long as you consider your dog's total daily intake. For example, take 10-20 pieces of food from their normal diet and avoid using them as food throughout the day so you don't increase their total intake.
There are also prescription supplements and over-the-counter diets that can help with your dog's special needs. According to the American Feed Control Officers Association (AAFCO), commercial dog food marketed as 'light', 'light' or 'low-calorie' will have the greatest reduction in calories compared to a standard product. These terms may use low-calorie or low-fat content to describe 'low/low-calorie', 'lean/low-fat' or 'low/low-calorie', but the calorie deficit is very high. Is. Is. No, it can be 'Light'. Tagged 'light' or 'low calorie'. For dogs that are obese or have weight problems, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet to help them lose weight and control and monitor their weight. Specifically, your veterinarian can calculate an ideal calorie intake based on your dog's daily energy needs for safe, slow weight loss.
Exercise is another important part of losing weight and improving your dog's health, although it should be done gradually and with care in overweight and obese dogs. Many overweight and obese dogs have weight-related health issues that are often overlooked by their owners, especially mobility issues such as arthritis or early joint instability. If these dogs suddenly increase their activity level, they could be at risk of injury. The best approach is to gradually increase the level of activity from their current routine. This may mean that you only need to walk an extra five minutes before working on the block, or you may need to walk more slowly for an additional lap. Other forms of exercise, such as swimming, can be great for weight loss, but always talk to your vet to find out what is safe and appropriate for your dog.
Click Button to Download Movie
Comments
Post a Comment