You want to give your dog everything they need, and it’s hard to say no when they ask for more food. But overfeeding your dog can create a wide range of serious health problems. Diabetes, joint pain, mobility issues and other conditions can result from overfeeding and compromise your dog’s quality of life.
The pros at Dan’s Pet Care see overfed pets a lot more often than underfed pets. To optimize your pet’s well-being, it’s important to avoid overfeeding while making sure they get the energy and nutrients they need. So, how do you know whether your dog is overfed? This article will explore a few signs of overfeeding you should look for.
Obesity in Dogs
Not surprisingly, one of the top ways to tell that your dog is overfed is tracking their weight gain. If you have trouble weighing your dog at home, your vet’s office can help you chart any changes over time. If your dog is small enough, you can also weigh yourself while holding them. Then weigh yourself without them, and subtract the difference! As a rule of thumb, if you need to press hard to feel your dog’s ribs, they need to lose some weight.
Obesity is very common among household pets. Along with reducing your dog’s daily food intake, you’ll need to help them get adequate exercise to burn calories. No matter how busy your schedule is, Dan’s Pet Care can provide the walks your dog needs to stay healthy and happy!
Loose Bowel Movements in Dogs
Your dog might be overfed, even if they’re not overweight. Another possible sign of overfeeding to watch for is loose, overly soft stools. This is especially true if your dog has normal bowel movements in the morning, but they get progressively softer later in the day. If your dog is taking in more nutrients than their digestive system can handle, they’ll simply pass through your pet’s digestive tract without being broken down. Puppies are especially vulnerable to loose stools as a result of overfeeding.
Gas in Dogs
If your dog is producing a lot of gas, or it smells worse than you’d expect, it could be a sign of overfeeding. One way to combat gas is to intentionally slow down your dog’s feeding. Puzzle feeders or automatic feeders that release small amounts of food throughout the day can be helpful.
Avoid feeding your pet human foods, especially spicy, greasy, or dairy-based products. Not only can they cause metabolic problems for your dog, but they can also contribute to stomach upset and gas.
Tear Staining in Dogs
There are a number of reasons you might notice dark tear staining around your dog’s eyes. When your dog’s digestive system is overworked, they can experience a buildup of substances in their system that should be eliminated under normal circumstances. You might try reducing the size and frequency of your dog’s meals, under the supervision of your vet. It’s possible that your dog’s tear staining will improve!
How Can I Avoid Overfeeding My Dog?
Overfeeding is easy to do, and it can be hard to correct your dog’s diet when they’re used to eating too much. These tips can help you avoid bad feeding habits and develop healthy ones!
Pre-measure your dog’s food portions, especially if multiple people in your household are responsible for feeding. It can be hard to accurately eyeball a specific amount of food, especially when you’re in a hurry.
Avoid giving too many treats throughout the day. Limit your dog to low-calorie treats, and use them sparingly. When using prepackaged treats, consider cutting them into smaller pieces to stretch them out over a longer time period.
Carefully supervise your pet while they’re eating, especially if you have multiple animals in your household. Your dog could be sneaking food from another dog’s dish. They might also be grazing on cat food or human food that’s left out in the open.
Some dogs can self-regulate their food intake to some degree. Unfortunately, many dogs don’t seem to have an “off” switch when it comes to eating. Keep in mind that while your dog might be eager to eat more than your vet recommends, you could be compromising their health if you give in.
A Pet Care Service That Cares About Your Dog’s Total Well-Being
The highly trained, licensed and insured professionals at Dan’s Pet Care are committed to helping your dog stay healthy and happy in every way. Whether your dog needs walks, pet sitting, daycare, grooming, or other pet care services, Dan’s Pet Care can meet your needs as Long Island’s best-loved pet care provider! To get started, fill out our consultation form today!
