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Helping your older dog lose weight

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Last week, I took both my dogs to the vet for their annual wellness exams. To my horror, both of my dachshunds tipped the scales at nearly 20 pounds, several pounds heavier than they were the year before. While 20 pounds may not sound very heavy, it's a lot of extra weight for my small dogs to be carrying around on their small frames. With one dog in her teens with bad hips and the other paralyzed in her back legs, the traditional advice to "get active" isn't so easy.

As our pets get older and less active, it's not unusual for them to gain weight. At the same time, extra weight can make it harder for them to move around as easily as they used to and can lead to other health issues. Unlike a younger dog that is happy to chase a Frisbee or go for a jog with you, older pets, especially ones with health issues, need to exercise differently. What's important, though, is that they are still doing some form of exercise and not spending their days sleeping on the couch.

In addition to changing the type of exercise your pet partakes in, it's important to change the intensity and frequency of that exercise, as well. So while your dog may have enjoyed joining you on a run each morning in his younger days, as a senior dog he'll likely be happier with slower paced walks and, depending on his mobility, may appreciate longer breaks between activities. Low impact activities, like swimming, are also great for pets that have mobility issues. Just like people, every dog ages differently, so pay attention to how your dog handles different physical activities.

Beyond exercise, your dog's diet will also change as he ages. As your dog gets older, his metabolism slows down. Paired with less exercise, that means it's easy for your four-legged best friend to pack on the pounds. Switching your pet to a food specifically designed for senior pets, or even a weight management food for senior pets, will help your dog get the nutrients his older body needs and will aid in maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, many pet owners show their pets they love them by feeding them excessively, which leads to obesity and many other health problems, like diabetes. When feeding your pet, don't eyeball the amount or leave food available 24 hours a day for your dog to eat whenever they want. Keeping your dog on a schedule with a measured amount of food will keep you from overfeeding.

By keeping your senior pet at a healthy weight, you are not only helping to prevent health issues associated with obesity, you are also helping your pet live a longer, happier life!

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.

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