Dogs are a part of the family for many people and just like with humans, there are some health problems that can crop up due to obesity. Since dogs are naturally playful and active, it can be difficult for them to sit around and eat all day long! Luckily for dogs, there are ways that owners can help their pets lose weight quickly and efficiently – and what better way to do so than by diving into the reasons why dogs lose weight and what owners should know about feeding their pets in order to maintain a healthy weight. Here are the answers to these questions.
Why Do Dogs Lose Weight?
The main reason dogs lose weight is simple – they are hungry! It is well known that dogs are intelligent animals and are always looking for ways to satisfy their hunger, so when they are not getting their fill of food from the table, they are usually trying to find a way to consume more calories. While this may be true for healthy dogs, those who are overweight might also experience this behavior – resulting in even more weight gain!
Other than being hungry, dogs also lose weight for other reasons – sometimes it is an energy loss and other times it is due to the fact that they are removing toxins from their bodies. It really depends on the dog and what their requirements are at the moment. Even though they are losing weight for health reasons, it is still crucial that owners feed their pets a healthy diet so that their minds and bodies stay strong. When dogs lose weight, it is often for good reason and even though it can be frustrating at first, knowing that your dog is doing this for their health is completely worth it!
What Makes A Healthy Dog?
The perfect weight for a dog depends on many factors, including breed and environment. There are certain breeds of dogs that are naturally thin and don’t put on much weight no matter what, while others can quickly go from slim to obese if they consume a poor diet or live in an environment that is conducive to weight gain. If you are curious about what makes a healthy dog, take a look at the following list comprising seven characteristics that define a healthy dog:
- A healthy-looking coat
- Bright eyes
- A good appetite
- A normal gait or movement
- A natural defense to illness
- A clean nose
- A shiny coat
When a dog exhibits these qualities and behaviors, it is easy to tell that they are operating at their peak and will enjoy a long life full of good health!
How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Lose Weight?
The time it takes for a dog to lose weight varies from animal to animal and depends on their breed and lifestyle. Some breeds, such as the Irish Wolfhound and Belgian Malinois, can lose a significant amount of weight within a few days. Highly athletic dogs like these breeds have an advantage in that they can shed excess weight very quickly. However, this comes with a price – it is essential that they are fed an appropriate diet in order to avoid any health complications.
Dogs that are naturally lean and have not consumed a lot of food have a harder time shedding weight, as they have to first eat their fill before they can begin losing it. This is why it takes longer for them to get back to their ideal weight. These dogs might require more time, so be patient and prepare to make some dietary changes if you want to help them shed the pounds.
What Is The Determinant Factor Of A Dog’s Weight?
The main factor that affects a dog’s weight is simply the amount of food that they consume. If you want your dog to lose weight, simply reduce the amount of food that they consume or try alternative methods of feeding them. This could mean eliminating the snacks and treats that they enjoy the most or raising the amount of food that they eat on a daily basis.
A big factor in a dogs’ weight is also how they use the food that they eat. Those who are very active will put on more weight than those who are not as active, so if you want to help your dog shed the pounds, make sure that they get plenty of activity. This could mean adding more walks to their routine or setting up some sort of sport regimen with a personal trainer.
There are also some dietary supplements and foods that have been scientifically proven to help dogs lose weight – these are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Can Supplementation Help?
Many dogs who are overweight have similar issues with their skin and joints due to the extra weight that they have to carry around. This is where dietary supplements can help! If you are curious about whether or not dietary supplements will help your dog lose weight, the answer is an unequivocal yes!
Dietary supplements are substances that enhance the function of the human body when they are eaten. Just like with humans, there are certain supplements that can help dogs lose weight and there are certain supplements that can help them gain weight. Your veterinarian can recommend the right dosage for you to supplement your dog’s diet with so that their health benefits outweigh any side effects.
What Type Of Diet Should I Feed My Dog?
There are three general types of diets that you can feed your dog – raw, cooked, and frozen. Each of these are discussed in turn below along with their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to shed the pounds quickly, it is best to go for a raw diet since this is the most nutritional of the three options while also being the most convenient. This means that you will not have to prepare complex meals for your dog and can simply give them the meat that you are cooking for yourself.
Raw
Dogs who are raw feeders burn more calories per day than those who eat cooked food, so they are perfect candidates for weight loss. Just like with humans, it is well known that those who eat a lot of raw food products like meat, fish, and chicken tend to shed excess weight easily – as much as 15 pounds in some instances! This is likely because the raw food diet increases metabolic rates and allows for more calories to be burned per day.
Along with the benefits of a raw diet, there are also some disadvantages. Since raw foods are usually more expensive than the other two options, it might be more difficult to maintain a healthy diet if you are on a tight budget. Additionally, if you are not able to provide your dog with the necessary nutrients in the raw state, then you are limiting their overall health. Finally, some breeds of dogs, such as bulldogs, are prone to bloat due to the nature of their diet – consuming large quantities of raw food can cause this type of distress as well as potentially dangerous internal injuries.
Cooked
Dogs who are cooked food eaters tend to put on more weight than those who eat raw food due to the simple fact that the former group must eat more to generate the same amount of energy – after all, digestion is much more complicated than just chewing and swallowing. Another difference between cooked and raw food is the former often contains more calories per bite than the latter. This is likely because proteins in cooked foods are more easily broken down into usable nutrients for the body than those in raw foods – meaning that you can easily add more calories!
As with raw food diets, there are also some disadvantages to cooked food. One significant disadvantage is that it is usually more expensive to feed your dog this way, as you will have to prepare more meals for them. There is also the environmental factor to consider since more frequently, cooked foods require more energy to be transported to where they are prepared – factors such as food waste and the CO2 that is emitted also have to be considered.
Freezer
If you are able to prepare meals in advance, then there is no reason to cook each meal when you need it – this is where the freezer step in re-feeding comes in! Freezer food is the most convenient option as it requires no preparation time, and it saves you the trouble of preheating the oven each time that you make a meal.
As much as we all love the flexibility that a pantry full of pre-made freezer meals provides, there are still some disadvantages to freezer food. For example, if you are an animal lover and you want to avoid having your dog destroyed by a dog-eat-dog world, then this is the option to avoid. Preparing meals in advance means that you will be able to form a much more appropriate attachment to your pet, as you will be able to anticipate their every need – but it comes at a price! Freezer food usually requires more calories per day than the other two options, so it is important to monitor your dog’s weight when they are on a diet containing this type of food.