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Is My Small-breed Dog Overweight?
Is My Small-breed Dog Overweight?

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Is My Small-breed Dog Overweight?

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Worried that your small-breed dog is packing on the pounds? Run your hands along his backbone. You should be able to feel (but not see) his ribs. You also should see a clearly defined waist behind the ribs. If you can’t, follow these seven tips from Debra Eldredge, a veterinarian and co-author of “Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook,” published by Howell Book House.

 

1. See the Vet

Before you put your overweight dog on a diet, schedule an appointment with the vet to make sure an underlying health problem isn’t causing the numbers on the scale to creep up.

 

 

2. Think beyond Mealtime

Snacks and table scraps might account for your overweight dog’s bulging belly, Eldredge says. If curtailing in-between meals doesn’t make a difference, consider continuing with the same amount of food but switching to a different formula. Your vet can give you guidance.

 

 

3. Give Him Veggies

Thawed frozen green beans, canned pumpkin (which is fiber-rich and filling) and cut-up carrots make satisfying, low-calorie snacks for your pet.

 

 

4. Redo the Numbers

A study showed that dogs can count up to six or seven, Eldredge says. If he is accustomed to getting two small biscuits as a treat, break one biscuit into two pieces. By his count, he’s still getting two treats!

 

 

5. Rethink Rewards

As much as your overweight dog loves treats, he also loves taking walks, playing and spending time with you. You also can replace biscuits with a couple of pieces of the kibble he would get during mealtime.

 

 

6. Do the Hunger Test

Is your bichon staring up at you with those beautiful eyes as you nibble on peanuts? He’s probably not hungry. As you have your snack, offer him a piece of kibble. If he turns it down, he’s not really hungry — he just wants your peanuts!

 

 

7. Put Him on the Scale

If your overweight dog has just a couple of pounds to lose, it can be hard to gauge whether he is making progress. Ask your clinic if it’s OK if you stop in once a week so he can step onto the doctor’s scale.

  • 5 Tips on Caring for a Pug Dog
    5 Tips on Caring for a Pug Dog-mobile
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    5 Tips on Caring for a Pug Dog

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    Tip no 1 - Exercising a Pug

    Pugs are naturally lazy and have a tendency to become obese very easily! So pug parents need to make it a point to walk their pugs regularly. Take them for a walk 1-2 times a day or play with them at home. But limit their exercise in hot and humid weather as they do tend to experience breathing difficulties.

     

    Tip no 2 - Pug Grooming

    Grooming a pug requires you to trim their hair and bathe them at least once a month. After bathing your pug with a mild shampoo, you must dry their hair quickly and properly or the skin folds that remain wet can become smelly and cause skin infections.

     

    Tip no 3 - Pug Training

    While pugs are a clever breed, they are strong-willed as well. Reward-based training is a great way to train your pug. Make sure that everyone in your family follows the same training practices so that your pug does not get confused.

     

    Tip no 4 - Pug Food

    While pug food can vary depending on their age, size, and health conditions, all pugs need complete and balanced meals that are tailor-made to meet their unique needs. You could feed them a premium recipe like IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Adult Pug to keep them slim and healthy. IAMS™ Adult Pug recipe is a blend of beet pulp and prebiotics (FOS) to support healthy digestion, L-Carnitine to support a healthy metabolism, and Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids to support skin and coat health. It is best to split their daily allowance into two meals.

    Recommended pug food guide -

     

    SIZE OF PUG RECOMMENDED DAILY FEEDING (G)
    1-2 kg 30-45
    2-4 kg 45-80
    4-6 kg 80-105
    6-8 kg 105-130
    8-10 kg 130-155

     

    Tip no 5 - Pug Diseases

    Pugs are prone to a lot of health problems, more than other breeds. Common health issues include breathing problems, a range of eye problems, skin infections, Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE), hemivertebrae, and hypothyroidism.

    SOME FACTS ABOUT PUG DOG CARE

    Pugs are easy to care for but put on weight easily. Also, their short muzzles make it difficult for them to breathe, especially in hot and humid weather. Because of this, pugs also tend to snore, so consider this if you are a light sleeper.

    Pugs are intelligent creatures and very loving, making them a popular choice across the world. But do your research before taking the leap. Although they are cute and cuddly, caring for a pug dog needs commitment, so it's important to go into it fully prepared to do the work (and fall in love!)