October 14th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. On this day veterinarians who are participating in a national study will record measurements of cats and dogs who visit their clinics. The Association of Pet Obesity estimates 44 percent of dogs in the USA (3.3 million) are overweight or obese.My local Pet Valu store has a scale, and I take Hannah regularly to weigh her. My vet is thrilled when Hannah visits because she is a fit Labrador without excess pounds.
The association website includes ideal weight ranges and recommended calorie intake -- only 200 to 275 calories for a 10-pound dog! -- The group. which is unaffiliated with any pet industry company, says a key component of its mission is promoting owners' weight loss alongside their pets. Keep in mind that the range stated for a breed is general. For Labrador Retrievers, the range is 55 to 80 pounds. Hannah is 60 pounds and at a very healthy weight. If she weighed 80 pounds, she would be obese!
If you feed dog treats, break them up and feed smaller bits. Whole treats add up quickly. Table food is discouraged. All those nibbles you feed your dog during the day, along with lack of proper exercise, pack on the pounds. Canine digestive systems are sensitive and do better without a wide variety of foods.
The website includes a list of common and well-known treats and their caloric amount.
http://www.petobesityprevention.com/about_us.htm
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