Did you know that statistics claim that over fifty-percent of dogs in the U.S are overweight? It’s true. But sometimes it can be hard to tell if our pet is overweight or the perfect weight. For instance, some dog breeds have thick-set skeletal structures that can hide the excess pounds of fat. And it’s difficult to tell even within specific breeds the exact weight at which a dog or cat should be. Typically, within dog breeds there is an acceptable range for both males and females, although it doesn’t account for height, muscle, and structure.
A good way to monitor your dog or cat’s weight is by looking at and evaluating their shape. Most dog breeds, especially the sporting breeds, should have a figure comparable to an hour glass. That means that they should be wider at the front shoulder than at the back. And if the dog has the ideal shape then it’s also important that none of the ribs show. It’s true in certain sporting breeds that young dogs can have trouble keeping on pounds.
But when the ribs show, the dog is likely either too thin or being exercised at intense or prolonged levels, and in both cases the amount of food the dog is fed daily should be increased slightly until a balance is achieved. It may also be important to change the food you feed your pet; a pet who requires a high calorie diet for sporting or exercising needs will require a dog food created specifically for those activities, whereas a pet who requires a lower calorie well-balanced food (Especially important for older pets) will have different needs.
Every pet is unique, and if you are having trouble keeping their weight in check then your veterinarian will be able to recommend a diet appropriate to their needs. For all your pet’s grooming needs, you have the experienced professionals at Groomingdale’s to keep them looking their very best.
