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Como mantener el peso de tu perro

IS YOUR DOG CARRYING EXTRA WEIGHT?

Between 25 and 40% of dogs are overweight, but often, owners don't know it until they take their dog to the veterinarian for another reason. Yet, even veterinarians can't tell if a dog is fat just by its weight. Ideal weight varies by breed, and quite widely within breeds. There's no ideal weight chart for all dogs!

You can judge your dog's condition by placing your hands on each side of his rib cage. Are the ribs protruding? Your dog may be too thin. Can you feel individual ribs easily, and is your dog's abdomen slightly tucked up when viewed from the side? That's the sign of ideal weight. If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist, and his abdomen drags, he's too fat. Your veterinarian can help you further evaluate your dog's weight.

YOUR DOG’S WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

Before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian.

You can begin your dog's weight-loss program by reducing caloric intake by 25% of his maintenance intake, and then decrease it by 10% increments every two to three weeks until a 1% weight loss per week is achieved. This means that, if your dog weighs 15 pounds, a 1% loss would be about 2-1/2 ounces.

If you feed one large meal a day or keep food available at all times, try dividing the daily ration into several small meals (at least two meals a day) and pick up what has not been eaten 30 minutes after each meal.

WHAT CAUSES CANINE OBESITY?

Dogs gain weight for the same reason that people do—they eat more calories than they use. Today's dogs share another problem with their parents: lack of activity. Most parents are gone all day and come home too tired to play with the dog.

Also, as dogs age, or after they are spayed or neutered, their metabolism might slow causing them to require less food.

Another reason for weight gain is frequent, high-calorie treats. Sometimes, more than one family member is feeding the dog, and the dog sure isn't telling!

SUPPORTING YOUR DOG'S WEIGHT LOSS

Losing weight isn't easy. Changing habits is the key. Here are some ways you can help:

Determine who feeds the dog what and when. (Don't be embarrassed to admit you give your dog treats. Dogs are expert beggars.)
Substitute affection for treats. Give a pat or throw a ball when he noses your hand.
Take your dog for a walk more often. Even 10 minutes a day can help.
Feed him more often. It takes energy to digest food. Dividing your dog's daily ration into two or three feedings will help.
Reducing your dog's regular food amount by 25% should bring results.
If your dog is more than 15% overweight, your veterinarian might recommend a special food. Diet foods should be low in fat (under 20% of calories from fat).
Your goal is to help your dog be healthier, so select his food carefully. Some diet foods just add fiber to help the dog feel full. This can result in reduced digestibility, large stool volume, frequent trips to the backyard, and decreased skin and coat condition because the dog isn't getting enough fat and nutrients.

Find a food, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult Healthy Weight, that has normal fiber levels to keep your dog's digestive system working properly. It should have high-quality protein so your dog doesn't lose muscle tone and essential fatty acids to help keep his skin flexible and coat glossy throughout the dieting process. After your dog reaches ideal weight, select a maintenance food to keep weight steady.

Los perros necesitan proteínas

La obesidad es un problema común en los perros. Identificar las causas y seguir un programa de control de peso total puede dar como resultado una pérdida de peso y un mantenimiento controlados. Un programa total de control de peso incluye la evaluación de su perro, luego la modificación de comportamientos y el control exitoso del peso del perro.

Definición de obesidad

La obesidad se define como un aumento en el peso corporal más allá de la limitación de los requisitos esqueléticos y físicos, como resultado de una acumulación de exceso de grasa corporal.

Causas de la obesidad

La obesidad se produce cuando la ingesta calórica supera el gasto calórico. Esto simplemente significa que un perro come más energía (calorías) de la que usa y almacena el exceso de energía.

Factores que contribuyen a la obesidad

• Sobrealimentación
• Inactividad
• Raza
• Edad y Sexo
• Estado de esterilización/castración
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hiperadrenocorticismo
• Hipotiroidismo

Nutrientes importantes

Grasas y carbohidratos
Los perros utilizan la grasa como su principal fuente de energía. Un perro con sobrepeso almacena grasa más fácilmente si las calorías que consumen son en forma de grasa que si son de carbohidratos. Un perro con sobrepeso u obeso debe recibir una dieta baja en grasas y alta en carbohidratos para restringir las calorías disponibles de la grasa, lo cual es importante para el control del peso del perro.

Fiber and fatty acids
A normal fiber level, provided in a moderately fermentable fiber source, helps create and maintain healthy digestion. This is especially important for the dog on a diet. Some weight-loss foods for dogs dilute calories with high levels of fiber. High-fiber foods may reduce the digestibility and absorption of many nutrients, including fat. These foods reduce weight by providing what would be considered poor-quality nutrition. These high-fiber diets also result in large, frequent stools and decreased skin and coat condition. Dog foods such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult Weight Control, which provide essential fatty acids like those found in vitamin-rich fish oils, help maintain your dog's healthy skin and coat despite lowered fat levels.
 

Fibra y ácidos grasos

Un nivel normal de fibra, provisto en una fuente de fibra moderadamente fermentable, ayuda a crear y mantener una digestión saludable. Esto es especialmente importante para el perro que está a dieta. Algunos alimentos para perder peso para perros diluyen las calorías con altos niveles de fibra. Los alimentos ricos en fibra pueden reducir la digestibilidad y la absorción de muchos nutrientes, incluidas las grasas. Estos alimentos reducen el peso proporcionando lo que se consideraría una nutrición de mala calidad. Estas dietas ricas en fibra también provocan heces abundantes y frecuentes y una disminución de la condición de la piel y el pelaje. Los alimentos para perros como IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult Weight Control, que proporcionan ácidos grasos esenciales como los que se encuentran en los aceites de pescado ricos en vitaminas, ayudan a mantener la piel y el pelaje saludables de su perro a pesar de los bajos niveles de grasa.

Pérdida de peso gradual

El objetivo de un buen programa de control de peso debe ser la pérdida de peso gradual. Los perros deben perder del 1% al 2% de su peso inicial por semana. Esto se puede lograr reduciendo la ingesta calórica entre un 30% y un 50% de mantenimiento.

Un programa de control de peso total puede conducir a una pérdida de peso exitosa en un perro obeso. Antes de comenzar cualquier programa de pérdida de peso con su perro, hable con su veterinario. Recuerde, su apoyo es esencial para el éxito del control de peso de su perro.