How to control your puppy’s obesity

dog and cakeWhen you choose your puppy he will have a stomach full of his mother’s milk with a small amount of solid puppy food giving him a feeling of contentment.

Feeding a puppy the correct amount of food once he is home with you can be a challenge, but unless you want your dog to grow up overweight, you need to learn the difference between feeding your puppy enough so he can grow big and strong and feeding him too much of the wrong food so he becomes fat or obese – it can’t be his birthday every day!

Puppies are likely to eat everything they are given until they nearly burst as at this stage, they are still learning and growing. It is essential you keep check on the portions of food and treats he consumes daily and monitor his weight with your vet’s help.

Too much of the wrong food will set him off on the road to obesity.

One guideline is to ask the dog breeder who sold you your new pet what they have been feeding the litter of puppies. Keep your puppy on the same pet diet  for a few days until he has settled in his new home.

Good nutrition means your pet will have the strong bones and muscles which is necessary for him to grow into a mature adult dog.

Choices of pet food for your puppy can be wet or dry. Once your puppy has settled in his new home you can consider varying his meals. This will stop him from becoming bored with his food. Choose foods which are advertised as being suitable for ‘puppies’.

Dog food manufacturers have listed ingredients on their food packaging to help pet owners to check it is the correct food for your puppy, adult and senior dogs.  All dog food and dog treats should list recommended volumes for size of dog, but that does not mean you can feed him the maximum of all the different treats.

When you take your puppy to the vets ask him the correct weight for your breed of dog. Daily exercise is an essential element to stop your puppy becoming obese.

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