Dogs are exceptionally good at getting what they want, particularly when it comes to treats and scraps. As a pet parent, it’s almost impossible to deny your furry family member when he or she hits you with those infamous (and incredibly persuasive) puppy eyes while begging for food. However, it’s imperative to watch your favorite canine’s weight if you want to protect their happiness and quality of life. After all, obesity can have a devastating effect on the bodies of humans and dogs alike, resulting in adverse health conditions that shave precious years off of their lives. That’s because excess body fat negatively affects almost every component of your dog’s body, including his or her bones, joints, digestive organs and respiratory system. Fortunately, you can protect your dog from these issues by ensuring that they stay at a healthy weight level.
At Wapiti Labs, our greatest passion is supporting the health and happiness of companion animals. That’s why we produce some of the most effective pet supplements in the industry. By utilizing EVA (Elk Velvet Antler), an incredible health powerhouse that promotes strength, stamina and a healthy immune system in humans and animals, and other natural ingredients, our formulas can be used to keep your canine in peak condition regardless of age or breed. In this blog, we’ll be teaching you about the importance of managing your dog’s weight and providing a few useful pieces of advice to help you with this critical facet of care.
The Consequences of Canine Obesity
In order to fully understand why your canine needs to watch his or her figure, you need to develop a solid understanding of how obesity can impact a canine’s body. According to Dr. Kristy Conn, an experienced veterinarian, “dog obesity is one of the fastest-growing health problems for dogs today.” She also asserts that obesity in dogs is associated with many of the same health issues that affect overweight people, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, hypertension and some forms of cancer. Of course, any one of these afflictions can damage a canine’s quality of life and significantly increase the amount of money their owners need to pay for sufficient medical care. In more severe cases, the symptoms of canine obesity can lead to inoperable conditions and death. Consequently, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your dog’s weight to safeguard their health.
How Much Should Your Dog Weigh?
There are plenty of online resources and articles you can use to help you pin down your dog’s ideal weight. However, this process is made more complex due to the fact that there are many influencing factors involved. Your dog’s age, breed and lifestyle all play a part in setting an ideal weight, so we highly recommend meeting with your veterinarian when trying to settle on a specific weight goal. These animal experts can give you more detailed information on what BCS (Body Condition Score) your dog should aspire to and give you all the counsel and support you need to hit that number. According to Doctor Conn, you can get a pretty good idea of your dog’s BCS by feeling near his or her ribs and looking at the waist. Dogs who are at a perfect weight won’t have much fat covering their ribs, so you’ll be able to easily feel them, and the section of their waist after the ribs should bear a subtle hourglass shape (obese dogs will have flat or rounded out waists). However, bear in mind that many people consistently underestimate their dog’s BCS when evaluating them at home, which is why it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian when determining Body Condition Score.
Support Your Dog’s Health and Well-Being With High-Quality Pet Supplements
Once you’ve met with your veterinarian and established an ideal BCS, you can chat with them about which specific tactics and strategies you can use to help your dog reach and maintain their optimal weight. They may suggest making alterations to your pup’s diet or establishing a weekly exercise routine to ensure that they stay lean and healthy. In any case, if you’re interested in protecting and supporting your dog’s strength, stamina and immune system, then be sure to talk to your veterinarian about ordering high-quality pet supplements. For example, Wapiti Labs produces a huge variety of EVA supplement for dogs that are specifically formulated to keep your canine in peak form throughout every stage of life.
Don’t hesitate to call or message us today if you want to learn more about Wapiti Labs and our industry-leading canine supplements. Also, feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about dog weight loss and dog health. We care about your canine’s vitality and happiness just as much as you do, and we would be more than happy to connect you with additional resources, advice and anything else you need. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
