A Natural Diet Plan For Over-Weight Dogs

Would you like for your beloved dog to live longer? Have they rounded out a little more? Creating a natural diet plan and adding exercise can add years on your dogs life. Did you know that 45% of all dogs in the U.S. are obese? That's right, your adorable Camille or Bentley can suffer just like a human being. Lung disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis among other illnesses can cut their lives short. Is this what you wish for your pet?

Changing the Diet

Feed your dog healthy dog foods, not the foods that contain multiple by-products. Avoid grain-based dog foods. Grain-based dog foods can cause kidney, urinary tract and dental disease. It can also cause obesity in your dog. They will eat more because they are not getting the proper nutrients and defecation is stronger; because they are not receiving the proper nutrients in their diet.

We purchase Castor & Pollux' Natural Ultra mix' or Rachel Ray's 'Nutrist.' Neither are grain-based nor do they contain multiple-by- products. Both are a little expensive; but they eat less and their bowels movements are better.

When switching dog foods, blend the old with the new dog food. Your dogs digestive system needs time to adjust to the change of the food. Eliminate all treats from your pets diet, which also include table scraps. Scraping your plate and giving it to them is unhealthy causing obesity in your pet along with other illnesses that was already described.

Exercise

A dog needs exercise just like humans. Laying around is not only unhealthy it can be deadly to your pet. You can cut-off the life span of your pet by 2 years when they are overweight. Have you ever felt what it was like to lose a pet? It is devastating. Get Camille or Bentley off of the couch and get exercising. If you live in an apartment, flat or condo grab the leash and get walking. Not only is it great for your dog, it is good for the owner to. Dog parks are popular and popping-up all over the Country, check one out in your area. If you reside in a home, spend at least an hour a day playing catch or frisbee with them. Soon you will see the fat around their bellies turn into muscle on the body.

Feeding Your Dog

We feed our dogs twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. We do not let the food sit in a bowl all day so they can eat at their convenience. Based on your dogs weight place the exact amount of food in their bowl and give them an hour to eat. If the food is in the bowl when you come back, pick it up and use it for the evening feeding. Believe it or not; they know when they are hungry. Begin to control their diet and don't let them control you.

Don't let your dog eat more and exercise less. Consuming more calories and lounging around will kill your pet. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your pet. If you cannot afford a veterinarian, research the ideal weight for your dog on-line and plant them on your scale. Sit, stay, weigh!

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention will provide a weight range for specific breeds. Need to know exactly how many cups per day you should feed your dog? The Dog Food Advisor Calculator will assist you with calculations.

Natural Recipe For Your Dog

Instead of feeding our dogs processed treats, I create an all natural stew for them to eat. I do not add any seasonings to the pot. All the flavoring comes from the ingredients that are used for the stew. It is also good for human consumption so if someone eats a bowl it will not harm them.

Chicken Stew

1lb of boneless chicken

1 cup of fresh green beans

1 cup of fresh baby carrots

4 potatoes of any kind

Rinse all ingredients. Cut chicken into pieces and chop vegetables. Place all ingredients into a large pot. Add water and boil for 1-1 1/2 hours. Once cooked. Let cool. Instead of giving your pet a full cup of dry dog food, add only half. Add 1/2 cup of stew and blend. Not only is it healthy for your dog it is natural.

Natural Dog Treat

This one is really simple. Never feed your dogs chicken bones or pork bones. It can tear their stomach lining. Go to the supermarket and look for beef soup bones. There are a few stores that will give them to you for free; but others will charge a few dollars. You can normally find these in the meat isle. Whatever you do not use, you can freeze and give to them at another time.

Beef Soup Bone Recipe

1-4 Beef soup bones

In a large pot place 1-4 beef soup bones in water. Do not add seasoning. Simmer for an hour. Remove from heat and cool. Not only is the bone marrow healthy; but they will be able to keep their teeth clean too.

Putting your overweight dog on a natural diet plan will add years to their life and they will be around to love even longer.

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