Friday, November 22, 2013

Overweight Dogs: How many nibbles make a meal?

Every dog is unique, of course, and they all have their own preferences when it comes to eating.  Today, I want to talk about those dogs that seem almost completely uninterested in food, and yet they somehow manage to be overweight.   I call these dogs the “nibblers” because that’s all they ever do. 

You fill his bowl in the morning, and he eats a few kibbles, but walks away before the bowl is empty.  A few hours later, he stops by the bowl for another nibble or two, but he never really seems very hungry.  He’ll eat table scraps, if you offer them to him, and he enjoys those treats with the squishy center.  But if all he’s eating throughout the day is a handful of treats and a few choice nibbles from his bowl, how can he possibly be fat?

It’s a simple case of calories, of course.  Those choice table scraps and the yummy treats are almost always loaded in fat and calories, while the food in his bowl may not be.  It’s sort of like offering a child a tossed salad in the morning, but giving him a piece of chocolate every time he walks past you.  He’s not going to eat much of that salad, now is he?  The dog’s hunger is satisfied with the treats, so he can skip the salad bar and wait for the next dessert cart. 


If your dog is overweight, you need to do a better job of controlling what he eats.  If you love him, and I know you do, you have to take responsibility for his health.  Find a good dog food, and feed him according to the package instructions.  And if he gets a treat, you need to subtract those calories from the dog food bowl.  If you are serious and diligent, but he’s still overweight, ask your vet for suggestions.  You have to do the math and be in control.  Your dog is counting on you to keep him healthy. 


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

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