(NC)-Those long walks with your dog are more important than you may think. Not only are they are a great bonding experience, they keep your pet active, healthy and hopefully within their ideal weight. Just like every member of the family, dogs need a balanced and healthy lifestyle including exercise and nutritional food. Here are some tips to keep your dog fit and fab:
• An active dog is a healthy dog. Keep your dog active by going for a walk, running in the dog park or playing fetch indoors or out. Dogs typically need at least 20 to 30 minutes of outdoor exercise or playtime each day.
• Avoid feeding your dog your food. No matter how much they may like it, table scraps and leftovers are not good for your dog. They may make him sick and can cause gradual weight gain affecting his health in the long run.
• Keep a watchful eye on your dog's weight. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog's ideal weight - it will vary depending on breed, age, build and gender. Visit www.ismydogoverweight.ca to learn more about the warning signs of and health problems associated with canine obesity.
• While your dog may love to be rewarded for good behaviour with tasty treats, too many can cause your dog to gain weight. Find other ways to treat your dog such as a trip to the groomer, a long walk on a sunny day or a new toy.
• Rather than pouring your dog's food into the bowl, pull out the measuring cup and feed your dog the recommended serving. This will help you monitor your dog's calories and ensure that she doesn't take in more than she needs.
Working to keep your dog in her ideal weight range will help to avoid the health problems associated with canine obesity. Use these tips as a reminder and remember, more important than looking good is feeling good.
- News Canada