We all love our pets and it can be very easy to spoil them at times with extra doses of food. However, sometimes treating your four-legged friend can do them more harm than good — in fact, just like in humans, pet obesity is a real concern in Australia and New Zealand, and something we must all be conscious of.
A quick test to tell if your dog is overweight involves looking at your pet from above. Can you see an easily discernable waist? Try feeling the ribs. You should feel a thin layer of fat over your dog’s ribs. They should be able to be felt, but not be so thin that you can see the individual outlines through your pet’s skin. Ways to keep your pet in shape include regular exercise and better diet management. There are some foods specially formulated for overweight dogs to help keep them in shape.
You can also change the way you feed your pet to try to keep it active. One such method is by feeding your pet’s normal meal using either the KONG Classic, for wet or dry food, or the KONG Wobbler, for kibble and treats. The Wobbler dispenses kibble every time your dog nudges it, ensuring your pet has to work for the meal and won’t wolf it down all at once. For more information, visit kongcompany.com.
If you do suspect your pet has a weight problem, seek veterinary assistance.
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