One of the main problems with obesity in our dogs is that they can end up with the same obesity-related diseases we humans get including: diabetes, cancer, liver disease and heart diseases. Owners think they are pampering their dogs when in fact they are shortening their lives.

One family learned this lesson with their seven-year-old Jack Russell terrier when they realize he was more than double his recommended weight.  He was so heavy he could hardly walk and spent most of his day sleeping.  After putting him on a strict diet for a year he lost 46 pounds.  Their dog is now playful and energetic dog, swims and goes on walks.

Other dog owners have had similar success helping their companions lose weight and improve in health.  The best strategy is to not let your dog get overweight in the first place, because putting a dog on a diet is not without it’s drawbacks.  Dogs on a diet may become craky like their human counterparts do when going on a diet.  Dogs often become aggressive or hyperactive and may bark incessantly to compensate for the reduction in available food.

The benefits, however, outweigh the negative aspects of helping your dog lose weight.  A very common problem of dogs that are overweight is diebetes.  This is compounded by the fact that many dog food producers add sugar and other sweeteners to their poor quality food to cover up the bad taste.  These sweeteners are something that a dogs digestive system was never meant to deal with and can increase the possibility of dog diabetes.  Again, keeping your dogs weight down and providing high quality dog food that is high in quality protiens and low in other additives will help keep your dog healthy and strong for years to come.

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Obesity in pets can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and other health complications just the same as for their owners.

The reasons seem to be the same too, according to Dr. Diane Frank, Canadian animal behaviourist and president-elect, CVMA.

“It comes down to excessive caloric intake, behavioural issues, improper reward systems and an inactive lifestyle — all which can apply to both pets and humans. The key difference, though, is that pets don’t have control over the choices made for them — that’s the owner’s responsibility and they need to be prepared to recognize and deal with the issue.”

Feeding treats can have startling consequences.

Here are some examples:

One ounce of cheese to a small dog is the same as you eating one and a half hamburgers or one and a half chocolate bars.

For a cat, one ounce of cheese equals three and a half hamburgers for you.

Eight extra pounds on your pet is the same as 30 extra pounds on you (based on 150-pound human and a 40-pound dog).

To determine if your dog is overweight run both hands along each side of your pet, you should see and easily feel the ribs. As your hands pass the ribs, they should then come in slightly for a nice tuck in the waistline.

If the ribs are not visible and you have to press in to find them, your pet is in need of some urgent action.  Action being the key word here.

Your pet will benefit from an activity treat than they will from food.  It’s better to provide positive attention and stimulation through exercise or play rather than food.

Cutting calories is as important as increasing your pet’s exercise level. Measure the food your get is getting and if you do give treats during the day as a reward, reduce the main meal accordingly.

Also make sure to feed your dog food that is rich in nutritional quality so their body has what it needs to be healthy and lose weight more easily.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=2b730047-da25-432a-838e-9083327d23a8

Technorati Tags: Diabetic Dog Food, dog food comparisons, pet obesity

Technorati Tags: Diabetic Dog Food, dog diabetes, Dog Food Comparison

And Merrick is very good super premium dog food too.
I don't feed it to my dog because I feed some other good stuff but the stuff I feed might not be for diabetic dogs.

Technorati Tags: Diabetic Dog Food, dog diabetes, Dog Food Comparison

Although diabetes is not completely curable, it is manageable with dietary changes, exercise and in many cases insulin injections. The important thing is to catch it early because left untreated, it can lead to blindness, kidney and liver problems, coma and sometimes even death.

The most common symptoms of diabetes in pets are increased thirst and urination, additional symptoms include cataracts, recurrent infections, weight loss and an increase in appetite.

With proper diabetic dog foods, exercise, blood sugar checks and insulin shots as necessary many diabetic pets can maintain good quality of life for five or six years after diagnosis.

Technorati Tags: Diabetic Dog Food, dog diabetes, Dog Food Comparison

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