Pet expert Arden Moore offers advice on trimming down an overweight dog.
- To check for the correct weight of your dog without taking a trip to the vet, try the rib test: Stand over your dog and note whether it has an hourglass shape--smaller at the middle, wide in the shoulders and chest. Roll it over and feel for the ribs (see photo). If you can't feel them, your dog is probably overweight. (One in three are). Check with your vet for an appropriate course of action.
- A fun exercise for your dog is doggy pushups. Have your dog lie down on its stomach, then get up. Repeat the "sit" and "up" commands several times. Have it roll over every few repetitions for a little tummy work. Reward with a small treat.
- Doggy treats don't have to be bad for your dog. They can be healthy snacks that you can make or have right at home. Three possibilities are ice cubes (especially good for teething puppies) carrots, and air-popped popcorn with no added salt or fat. Some dogs even like broccoli.
- To aid digestion, try adding any one of these supplements to your dog's regular food:
- 1 tsp. kelp powder--improves metabolism
- 1 capsule lecithin stuffed in a treat or broken open and sprinkled over food-- breaks down fat and cholesterol
- 1 tsp. apple-cider vinegar--will improve digestion.
- To avoid overfeeding, be meticulous when measuring out the correct amount of food for your dog's size.
- If you are eating at a fast-food restaurant and your dog is with you, don't buy it and entire hamburger--that's way too much fat for a single serving. Share only a small piece of meat, or take along a dog biscuit.
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