Health Tip: Safe and Healthy Weight Loss for Dogs

Great website with tips for SLOW and healthy weight loss!
http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-obesity-fact-risks/

Including how to tell if your pet is a healthy weight:
http://www.petobesityprevention.com/pet-weight-check/
Healthy Weight

• Ribs are easily felt
• Tucked abdomen – no sagging stomach
• Waist when viewed from above

Your Pet is Overweight if…

• Difficult to feel ribs under fat
• Sagging stomach – you can grab a handful of fat!
• Broad, flat back

Just like humans, pets can have thyroid issues too. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1597&aid=449

Primary Risks of Excess Weight in Pets

• Osteoarthritis
• Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Kidney Disease
• Many Forms of Cancer
• Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)