27 Oct Feeding your dog properly for a healthy weight

Talking about food means talking about calories and weight.

Excessive weight shortens a dog’s life and puts stress on joints as well as organs. Excessive weight can sometimes be due to thyroid issues but often it is from Free Feeding (we will discuss that in another blog) or from not feeding the right way, right amounts, not considering exercise and metabolism of your dog.

This young Catahoula should lose some weight for optimum health. Photo by Mike Allen via CC BY-SA 2.0

We used to think roly-poly babies and puppies were cute and the thing to do. We know better now.

First question I get asked when we start talking food is, what weight is ideal? Here is the general rule of thumb and it is safe: Tucked in flank, (waist) last rib or two showing towards the flank tuck. I like to see two ribs  on my own dogs since I have dealt with dogs that have had bad hips. Joint problems need muscled up structure to give them a running chance to have a quality of life. Excess weight only does more damage, leaving little hope and help for repair or longevity with quality. When they are standing, there should be no backbone standing up and no hip bones protruding or sticking up prominently. Feeling the rib cage on both sides, ribs should be felt without having to press.

Everyone at some time or another has possibly let their dog’s weight get away from them. It isn’t too late to shift gears and change or the better. This is good perspective, if you really love your dog; don’t kill them with kindness and let weight sneak up on you. Learn how to feed smart and the health of your dog will give you pay back in big dividends.