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The annual cost of food is the most expensive part of keeping a dog. There is such a range of dog food on the market – from 10 € to 100 € for a large bag of dry food, in addition to the choice of fresh food, raw food at home cooked dishes . Every way to feed a dog has its own advocates, but the truth is that there is no ideal solution for every dog.
Owners should aim to find a way to feed their pet so that he can feed his dog, at a reasonable price and that it is easy to obtain, giving a dog well muscled, bright eyes, shiny coating and fit.
Readers might be shocked to learn that the most common negative impact of a poor diet in Irish dogs has nothing to do with choosing a food. It's much simpler. Irish dogs are too big: they eat too much.
Estimates suggest that only one-third of Irish dogs have their ideal weight; two-thirds are overweight or obese. It is so common that dogs carry too much weight that people consider it "normal". When dogs reach their optimal weight, pbadersby accuse their owners of starving their animals. It's as if we now like our dogs to be well trained.
Many people are too relaxed about this issue, perhaps thinking that a little extra weight is a sign of satisfaction, or even a sign that the animal is cherished by their owners. There is no truth in these ideas: if pets have the right to gain too much weight, they suffer the negative consequences.
A study published last week is a useful reminder of the damage caused by obesity in pets. The study was conducted retrospectively, examining the records of more than 50,000 dogs over a period of twenty years. The lives of dogs were compared, ranking dogs overweight and obese alongside those with optimal physical condition. The results were clear: dogs with extra weight had a shorter life. The magnitude of the difference varied from breed to breed: the German tubby herders lived five months less than their lean counterparts, while the obese Yorkshire Terriers died two and a half years earlier because of their excess weight. . But the results were so uniform in all breeds that we can now say with confidence: if you let your dog grow too much, he will die younger than if you kept him slim and fit.
If an illness resulted in the premature death of a dog, people would be attentive. They would be happy to pay for an injection or pill to prevent their animal from dying young. Yet, for some reason, obesity in pets is becoming more and more common.
The effect of shortening the extra weight is only one aspect of the extra weight. There are two other serious impacts: the worsening of other diseases and the significant impact on the quality of daily life.
A number of common diseases are severely aggravated by obesity, including heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Research has shown that with many sick dogs, weight reduction can be as effective as a powerful drug. Arthritis is probably the best example. If arthritic dogs are overweight, they can gain more benefits by losing weight than by taking the most potent medications. And dogs are more likely to die of heart failure if they hang around extra pounds of body weight. Thus, besides the fact that these diseases are more common in overweight animals, they also have a deeper effect on the animal.
The impact on the quality of daily life of a dog is the least well-recognized aspect of obesity. The best example of this I can remember is a six-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named Millie. It had inflated about 30% above its ideal weight: it weighed 10 kg instead of 7 kg. And she was miserable. She had lost interest except for sleeping and eating. She stayed in bed all day, refusing to go for walks and even refusing to interact with her owners. She has just slept, only going out to eat at mealtime.
Obesity is a state of chronic inflammation: Blood samples taken from obese pets indicate high levels of inflammatory by-products that affect the brain and cause depression. And serotonin levels are further reduced, which has a negative impact on the state of "happiness" of the brain.
Millie was put on a special diet, high in fiber and protein, and low in carbohydrates. Its fat-rich treats like sausage and bacon peel have been replaced by low-fat versions such as raw carrots and popcorn. She was given measured amounts of food, instead of the "have as much as you want" approach to which she was accustomed. She lost weight slowly but steadily, at about 2% a week. It took six months to reach his goal. Her owner was amazed at how her joie de vivre had improved with weight loss. She stopped sleeping so much and started playing with her owners. She began to enjoy going for walks, even getting excited when the leash was out. Her owner told me that it was as if she had been converted into a young dog. "We thought it was slowing down with age.We realize now that she was suffering from the detrimental effects of obesity."
If you want your dog to have a longer, happier and healthier life, be sure to keep it at its ideal weight. And if you do not know how to do this, talk to your local veterinarian.
Wexford People
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