Does My Dog Need to be on a Diet?

If your dog is over or underweight, it can be a serious matter. There may be underlying issues or it could be that they just are simply getting too much or too little. While you should certainly talk with your dog’s vet for confirmation, there are some signs to look for to determine if your dog needs to be on a specific diet.

Overweight Dogs
For an overweight dog, you should look for these things:

Has my dog lost his or her shape?
Can I still see a waist curving below the ribs?
Is my dog’s belly distended or hanging down?
Does he or she have a hard time catching up with you?
And is my dog a food hog?

If you said yes to any of them, you should talk with your vet as they are likely carrying extra weight and will need to lose some.

Underweight dogs
For underweight dogs, you should ask yourself these questions:

Can you see a marked indent between their ribs and hips?
Does their back become very skinny in this area?
Can you see your pet’s ribs or spine?
Do they have a lack of energy?
Have they lost luster in their coat?
Do they leave food in their food dish?

If you said yes to any of these, your dog could be underweight, but there likely is an underlying issue that will need to be addressed.

Talking to Your Veterinarian
It’s important to talk to your vet about these issues because “abrupt changes in weight (either loss or gain) can be key symptoms of issues that have nothing to do with food intake. Issues with thyroid, Cushing’s disease, cancer, and diabetes can cause weight to fluctuate rapidly so abrupt weight change should always be discussed with your vet,” advises Leslie Kessinger, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Franklin and Mt. Juliet.

Once you’ve determined the need to talk to your vet, they can help you to confirm whether your dog is over or underweight as well as see if there are underlying conditions.

They’ll also be able to help you set up the right diet for your dog. In either case, your dog will want and need healthy treats and food along with regular exercise. For the underweight dogs, they’ll likely need a high-calorie supplemental dog food to increase their weight. Your vet may also suggest that your dog eat smaller meals twice a day, rather than all at once.

If you have concerns about your dog’s weight, talk with your vet. And when you’re ready to find some nutritious food and treats for your dog, visit Three Dog Bakery.

Three Dog Bakery is committed to making premium, natural treats with high-quality meats, fruits, and vegetables. They select only wholesome ingredients to ensure dogs have balanced diets and wagging tails.Three Dog Bakery has two locations in Middle Tennessee: 1556 W McEwen Dr #112, Franklin, TN 37067 & 1982 Providence Pkwy #102, Mt Juliet, TN 37122.

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