Golden Retriever

　　Dog obesity is an increasingly large problem that can lead to many issues, including heart disease, joint problems, and diabetes. Almost half of the dogs in the United States are obese, especially Beagles, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Labradors. Before the dog reaches the point where insulin injections are required, you can help it slim down. This may take a year, but it is definitely worth doing.

　　Can even puppies not be overweight? All dogs need to be slim rather than obese to be healthy. If you can feel the dog's ribs, and the ribs are not completely covered by fat, it indicates the dog’s weight is normal. From the side view, the dog's abdomen should be tucked up. From above, the waist in front of the dog's hips should be clearly visible. When you touch its ribs, you should be able to count the spaces between ribs, though not to the extent of seeing them with your eyes.

　　One major reason for dog obesity is feeding them leftovers from the dining table. Although feeding leftovers can be a fun thing to do, it can have serious consequences. One of them is that the dog may become unsure who is the leader of the household. The leader is the first to eat; if the dog is fed before or while people eat, its status at home becomes unclear. In addition, table scraps do not necessarily provide proper nutrition for dogs. For example, many dogs eating leftovers suffer from vitamin A toxicity and get excessive protein and phosphorus. Feeding only leftovers often results in insufficient calcium intake and may cause hyperthyroidism.

　　To reduce the weight of an obese dog, one method is to maintain the original feeding schedule but reduce the amount of food. However, using this method, dogs may increase whining complaints. So many owners choose to add large-volume vegetables to the food. Special low-calorie foods can also be chosen; these foods have a large volume that makes the dog feel like it's getting more food. Dogs usually do not like low-calorie food at first, but eventually will eat and slowly get used to it.

　　Another method, which can also reduce whining, is to change feeding from once daily to twice daily. Do not leave any food uneaten each day. Overweight dogs can be fed two small meals and not given treats but instead given one meal. If you really want to give treats, replace them with a carrot or an apple.

　　A balanced dog's food should contain at least a quarter of protein per pound and 1600 kcal of energy, but if the dog’s activity level is low, overweight dogs need less food. Canned dog food generally contains 500 kcal per pound, but when given as a whole meal, do not exceed 600 kcal per pound. Dry food contains 1500 kcal per pound energy, semi-moist or moist food contains 1350 kcal per pound. So if the dog weighs less than 11 pounds, feed 4 ounces of dry food daily; 22 pounds or more, feed 5 ounces; 22 to 50 pounds, feed 11 ounces; 55 to 75 pounds, feed 17 ounces; over 75 pounds, feed 30-35 ounces of dry food.

　　However, since each dog has a different metabolic level and activity, these calculations may not be the most suitable. Remember, a dog does not necessarily need to be fed daily, and can sometimes be fed once every five days. Also, neutering does not lead to obesity.

　　If a dog only chews food slowly and deliberately, additional feeding is unnecessary. Slow chewing takes longer than gulping and can lead to weight gain. If an obese dog is picky, it may take some time to adapt to a healthy diet.

　　Once a dog starts dieting, clearly track its weight. If an obese dog loses even a little weight after two weeks, it means your approach is correct.

　　Regular walks should be taken (twice a day), but if the dog is truly very obese, do not start with excessive exercise. For overweight obese dogs, moderation in everything is key. The goal should be to double the current amount of walking. Although your dog needs grooming, taking more walks is always better than not giving it enough exercise.