Is Your Dog Fit or Fubsy?

Is your dog fit or fubsy?  This October, the CrossFit Games were held in Northern California revealing the fittest man (Mat Fraser) and woman (Tia-Clair Toomey) on earth.  There is a path to true fitness for people and pets.

Fubsy, by definition, means fat and squat.  These identifiers can be found in people, and also in your pets.  For people, and pets, fit is most often better for health than fubsy and you can play a part in helping your dog be fit.

Is Your Dog Fubsy?

No matter what your dog’s breed, you should be able to feel their ribs without a thick layer of fat over them.  An overweight dog will generally be lacking of a waist and there will be no distinction between chest and stomach.   Also, if you look at your dog from above and notice that he is a bit rotund and oval-shaped, he is fubsy.

In a 2018 survey by the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention, 55.8 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese.

Why is Fubsy Not Good For a Dog?

Many dogs may look cute when they are overweight, however, it is not good for their overall health.  An overweight dog may experience mild to very serious side effects of the extra weight.

For instance, did you know that too much extra weight on your dog can do damage to their joints, bones, and ligaments?  It can also lead to diabetes, heart disease, and increased blood pressure.  Overweight dogs also experience difficulty breathing, decreased stamina, decreased liver function, and increased surgical / anesthetic risk.

Overall, an overweight dog is not a fit dog.

Helping Your Dog to Lose Weight

In the survey mentioned above, respondents noted that calorie reduction was the easiest way to help their pet lose weight.  Of course, consult with your veterinarian to ensure this is done properly.  It is important to ensure you are still providing all the nutrients your pup needs each day.  If, however, you dog is getting a larger than usual amount of treats, this is the first place to cut back.

Fun Ways to Getting Your Dog Fit

A Better Diet

Your dog will gladly eat what you give them.  Understanding different food types, and introducing new, healthier options can be a great first step.  If your dog has never tried natural sweet potato treats, or food free from fillers, they are in for a real ‘treat’.  When your animal truly enjoys the food he is eating, it makes you both feel better.

Walking for Weight Loss

Walking is the first step (no pun intended) to using exercise to lose weight for your dog.  Making it an everyday routine helps your pup to get used to it and gives him something to look forward to.  His joints are being worked and extra calories are being burned off.  It also stimulates their sniffer, which they love.  If you’re not able to fit this into your daily routine, reach out to us at Posh Paws Pet Care and we will jump in to help. 

Running

Once your dog is walking regularly, slowly introduce running.  If your pooch isn’t used to this type of exercise, they may hurt themselves.  Start with a walk, then introduce a slow jog.  Once you see that your pet can handle this speed, try a short run.  Consult your veterinarian to learn what is best for your pet.

Your Dog Depends on You

Unlike humans, dogs do not know to make lifestyle changes to improve their health.  They depend on you to make these decisions for them.  They will, however, exhibit their gratitude in small ways.

Is Your Dog Fit?

If you are a dog owner who is committed to helping their dog stay fit with a healthy diet and exercise routine, let us know in an email.  We love hearing from you and will add your story to this blog for others to read.

If you and your dog need a little help getting started down a healthier path, get in touch and we will look forward to working with you!

For more information about this subject or general questions you can contact:

Courie Dennis with Posh Paws Pet Care, LLC
843.900.0438
Visit our website at PoshPawsPetCareSC.com
Or send us a note from our contact page here.

Courie Dennis with Posh Paws Pet Care, LLC
843.900.0438
Visit our website at PoshPawsPetCareSC.com
Or send us a note from our contact page here.