Here we will discuss ways to help your doodle dog lose weight and prevent various health conditions caused by obesity. Keep reading to learn more.
One of the most essential aspects of being a responsible dog owner is ensuring your furry friend is in good shape.
You may think your fat dog is adorable just the way he is, but he could already be at risk for health problems.
A few more pounds on your doodle dog can have detrimental effects on their health, increasing chances of developing various illnesses and disorders, which can shorten their shorter lifespan.
An overweight doodle dog will have a lower life quality by limiting their playtime energy, mobility, and general disposition.
Some breeds will be affected more than others by even the slightest weight gain, so it is essential to maintain your dog’s fitness throughout their entire life.
You will want to ensure your furry friend has no underlying health conditions, like hypothyroidism, which might make them overweight.
Whether your doodle dog is gaining too much weight or your vet said they need to lose weight, there is still much that you can do.
While it will require some work and time, the result will be a healthier, happier dog. If you are trying to help your doodle dog lose weight, you have come to the right place.
Common Causes Of Overweight Doodle Dogs
There are many potential causes of overweight in dogs. The following are the most common causes.
Overfeeding
Overfeeding is the most common cause of overweight in doodle dogs. Many dog owners free-feed their pets, which can quickly cause them to become overweight.
Overfeeding can be problematic for doodles, which are so personable and more than happy to beg for treats.
Table scraps from human food and fatty treats can make your doodle gain extra weight because calories from treats add up with those from their food, leading to extra pounds of fat.
Also, doodle owners who do not know how to measure their dog feed are at risk of raising an overweight dog.
Lack of Exercise
Doodles tend to be active and energetic dogs, so they will gain more weight if they do not exercise enough.
Depending on your doodle size, you should ensure your furry friend gets the recommended amount of time to be more active.
You can get your doodle dog lose weight and be more active in many ways. You can take them out for at least a short walk each day or spend time outside so they can play and run.
It is important to note that the amount of exercise should depend on the age and size of your doodle dog.
Age
As a dog gets older, their chances of being overweight increase. Like humans, a dog’s metabolism tends to slow down as it ages.
This means they are overfed, even if you do not change their diet. Since your dog’s body cannot process food quickly, the same number of calories will lead to weight gain.
Aging doodles may not be able to do a lot of activities, meaning they can gain much weight quickly.
As your doodle dog reaches their golden years, you will want to determine its appropriate activity level.
You will want to reduce their caloric intake to meet the new activity levels, so there is a delicate balance to managing the activity and diet of an aging dog.
Spayed or Neutered Doodles
Weight fluctuations are normal in doodles that have recently been neutered or spayed.
Some doodle dogs can also lose weight after they have been spayed or neutered. In such cases, please consult your vet.
Health Conditions
Your furry friend could be gaining much weight due to a health condition. The most common problems are related to the thyroid, but genetic conditions, such as Cushing’s Disease, can cause weight gain.
Health Problems Associated With Doodle Obesity
The following are the common health issues associated with doodle weight gain.
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Breathing difficulties
- Arthritis
- Skin infections
What To Do If You Have An Overweight Doodle Dog
If you have an overweight doodle, do not worry, we have compiled a list of things you can do to manage their weight. Read on to find out!
Proper Diet
Dogs and other pets gain weight in the same manner as humans do; by underexercising and overeating.
Doodles with a lot of food, leftovers from meals, and treats are at risk of losing weight quickly, especially if they do not live an active lifestyle. So, having a diet authorized by a professional vet is important.
You can help them lose weight quickly by giving them their regular breakfast while substituting their second meal with kibble, low-sodium green beans, and a doggy multivitamin in the evening.
Also, making healthier treat substitutions for your doodle can help them lose weight.
You will want to reduce the snacks you give them to lower the number of calories significantly.
Instead of giving them cheese, crackers, and other high-fat snacks, you should consider giving them apples, fresh sliced carrots, and green beans.
If you reward your furry friend with treats after a successful training session, deduct those calories from their daily meal allowance.
However much you love your dog, you should not overfeed them. Overfeeding your pet and letting them get obese will most likely result in you losing them sooner.
So, you should not place too much value on what your doodle thinks. Many dogs will still appear hungry even after consuming all the calories they need for the day.
Lots Of Exercise
Of course, more exercise will aid in your furry friend’s weight loss. As with humans, dogs burn calories and lose weight when they exercise.
Most doodle dogs enjoy being taken out for a walk, swim, run, or hike. You will not have problems exercising your dog if you live an active lifestyle.
Your doodle will happily join you for your morning runs and hikes. For an obese doodle dog, starting out slow and increasing exercise over time once they start losing weight is advisable.
However, it is important to ensure you are not overworking them, especially if you are walking them on a hot day or if they have a health condition.
Running Practice
Since most doodles love to run around, you can use it to help them lose weight. If you decide to run with your overweight doodle dog, consider their age.
Running repetitively on hard surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, can harm their joints, especially young ones.
Many breeders advise dog keepers against running on hard surfaces until a dog is 12 months old, ideally 18 for large-sized doodles.
Instead of running young dogs on hard surfaces, you can try unstructured play on a soft surface, such as compacted sand or a grassy area.
Once they reach adulthood and you want to begin running with them, ensure they are in good physical condition.
You should consult your vet to ensure your dog has no physical weaknesses that would make running difficult.
They should also be free from health problems like heart disease, Luxating Patella, or Hip Dysplasia.
If your doodle could use some strengthening in muscular development, equipment such as exercise balls can be used to increase balance and stability.
You can consider an automatic ball launcher or a dog soccer ball toy if your doodle dog likes to fetch.
Make Exercise Fun
Canine games are a good way to exercise your pet while building a bond between you.
Agility, essentially a timed obstacle course, requires you to communicate with your furry friend using nonverbal cues and hand signals.
If you are a beginner, you should consider joining a training class to familiarize yourself and your pet with the challenges the course will provide.
You can learn more about many of these activities through the AKC website.
When exercising your doodle, keep an eye on their behavior and appearance. If they are breathing heavily, slow down or halt and look for a shady or cool area to rest. Dogs of all breeds can overheat.
Short walks late in the evening and early in the morning are preferable to long walks on hot days because brachycephalic, or short-nosed dog breeds, can quickly overheat.
Conclusion
Doodles are wonderful dogs that make great family pets. They are playful, friendly, affectionate, and affectionate dogs.
However, because of their propensity for overeating, they will wind up being overweight.
This causes more significant health problems like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and breathing difficulties.
With a well-balanced diet and exercise, an overweight doodle can maintain a healthy weight and stay healthy for many years.