WHY DOGS?: Pudgy Pooches

WHY DOGS? Because DOGS are some of the most beloved creatures on the planet, our goal is to aid communication (sometimes challenging) between humans and their DOGS. We especially welcome comments regarding your canine relationship in the hope that other readers will gain from your experience. Several regular features will appear including "Ask Buddy the Beagle," who will do his doggonest to answer your questions...from a DOG'S point of view. We selectively promote healthy dog products.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pudgy Pooches

In today's USA Weekend magazine, an article entitled "Fat Cats and Pudgy Pooches" said that many people have no idea if their dog is overweight. Nor do they know how much to feed their dog. Sometimes being overweight worsens other conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, just like in humans. Behavior problems such as pets with painful arthritis snapping at kids who play too rough can lead to the pet being taken to a shelter. The dog may be trying to communicate in the only way it knows how.

Vets in the article recommend these steps to keep your canine's weight in check:

Visit a vet regularly
Skip crash diets (even worse for dogs than humans)
Buy low-cal treats (like those at www.naturalbark.com)
Try keeping your dog in another room while you eat
Feed your pet at specific times
Premeasure and don't supersize

Of course, exercise is an excellent way to help keep those pounds from packing on both you and your 4-legged friend.

1 comment:

Electric Dog FencesSeptember 6, 2012 at 11:26 PM
Glorious read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. I'd also encourage everybody to bookmark this page to your favorite service to assist spread the word. Thanks!
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Dear Buddy,

I've never written to a dog before, but I might as well give it a shot. My dog Murdock an English Sheepdog has been moping around the house for maybe 2 weeks. Neither my husband or I can figure out what's wrong with him. Only change has been we bought him a new bed made out of softer materials. He sleeps on it, but seems restless. Any ideas?

Perplexed in Albuquerque

Dear Perplexed,

I think you should try bringing back Murdock's old bed for a while and see if his behavior changes. It makes us dogs uneasy when someone changes things we're used to.

Buddy

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Dear Buddy,

Our beagle has itching problems and scratches or licks his itchy spots sometimes for a long time. What can we do to help him?

S. & S.

Dear S. & S.,

This is not easy to answer. Being a beagle, I've had many of the same problems. I did a little research on dog skin problems and found out that dogs often suffer from allergies just like humans. It's pretty complicated even for a smart dog like me. The ASPCA site was most helpful: www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-skin-problems.html. Another good site: www.nzymes.com/articles/itchy_dogs_with_skin_problems_

disorders_and_more.htm. Good luck.

Buddy