Fridays Fido Fit Tip – Fido is Fat how do I get started?

Me working out with my dogs!

So many people tell me yes my dog is fat. He is too fat to go for a walk, he doesn’t want to walk, and he is lazy. It reminds me of the excuses I hear from people in the gym who don’t want to work out. They are all excuses. If your dog is fat there are many things you can do to begin the process of weight loss. First evaluate how you are feeding your dog. You can make small changes that will help with your dog’s weight loss. Here are a few easy ones:

• Measure out your food. Read the label on the back to see what the recommendation for your dog is. Yes believe it or not there are some standards to go by when feeding your dog. Don’t just estimate it, measure it!
• Feed your dog twice a day by dividing the total amount suggested by two.
• Use a lower calorie food. They are available at most Veterinary offices.
• Don’t give your dog lots of high calorie treats or leftover food. As a treat for my dogs I use vegetables. My dogs love carrots, broccoli, or green beans.
• If your dog eats really fast like mine you can try these dishes available at http://www.brake-fast.com/.

Exercise is an important part of your dog’s weight loss. To start dedicate 20 minutes a day to get Fido moving. It needs to be a priority just like exercise has to be a priority for humans. 20 minutes for very overweight dogs will be a great start. This can be done 3-4 times a week. 20 minutes is not a lot to ask! Each week you can slowly increase the time as your dog becomes more fit. Your dog’s health is important and it’s up to you to manage it!