Dog Food Diets For Overweight Dogs

If your dog is fat then he/she is taking in more calories than necessary, and they are being denied a chance to live a longer, happier life. An Overweight dog is at risk of developing life threatening physical conditions and diseases. Our dogs depend on us for their food. If our dogs are overweight then we need to put them on a dog diet.

A recent survey showed that 40 percent of the pets in the US are overweight. If a dog is overweight but appears to be healthy then it is a good idea to pay a visit to the vet for a physical exam. Before considering a nutritious diet it is important to rule out any thyroid or metabolic disorders that may have gone undiagnosed. The veterinarian should be aware of how little exercise the dog gets as well as what and how much he/she is feed.

There are many commercial dog food diets that can be used, but it is important to understand and to properly interpret the ingredients of dog food labels. The first ingredients present in a bag or can of food should be meat or meat products, NOT grains such as corn. It is also important to identify the fat source and how much quantity of fat is present in the food.

Before starting a weight loss program for our dog, we should get an accurate record of his weight. Then, we should reduce his/her total daily amount of food by one third. This should include any treats and snacks. After two weeks, we shoould weigh him/her again. If after two weeks there has been some significant weight loss, then we should stick to this diet. If, however, there hasn't been any weight loss, then we must reduce the daily food intake by another third. During this time it is important not to give in to their begging, and to make sure that no other member of the family has been feeding them.

There are low calorie diets available for dogs. Some veterinarians do not like to recommend them because many of these diets are very restrictive in their fat levels. However, because of the reduced fats the carbs are increased which produces extra insulin which in turn cues the dog's body to store the unused calories as fat.

Dog food nutrition is an important factor when it comes to caring for our dogs. If we try to maintain a healthy life style for ourselves, then we should do the same for our dogs. We should always consult a veterinarian when considering a change in diet and it is a good idea to introduce new foods gradually.

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Just as it is fun to have a pet dog, it is equally fun to cook only the best dog food for them. Most pet owners prefer to do homemade dog food more than buy a ready to eat one. Not only is it safer, it is also most of the time healthier. Needless to say, just like human beings, dogs should be eating only nutritional dog food recipes to make sure they stay healthy. This is a must if you do not want your dog to be sick of diabetes or weakened by obesity.

It is a good thing that such homemade dog food recipes are easily accessible via the internet. Many of these recipes are especially created for dogs with health problems or simply for the maintenance of good health. The commercial dog food that can be bought in the supermarkets are usually not ideal when it comes to dog food nutrition. You should opt for natural dog food anytime more than these canned or synthetic ones.

One example of a healthy recipe for your food is lamb stew. For your use, please follow the recipe below:

Lamb Stew

Ingredients:

1 k lamb

3 potatoes, diced

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery sticks, chopped

2 tbps. Olive oil

2 pints broth of chicken

Cook the lamb in olive oil. When lamb is cooked, add the chicken broth and allow cooking for another 45 minutes. Mix all the other remaining ingredients and cook for another 45 minutes. Allow the lamb stew to cool before serving it to your pet dog. You may opt to use beef instead of lamb if you choose to. You may also do it for variety’s sake. You can also add other ingredients to the stew such as corn or rice. Although the food you cook is healthy, feeding you dog too much of it is not. You should therefore allow your dog to over-eat.