When it comes to our dog, we become very conservative. We provide them with best possible diet and nourishment. We link the term obesity with humans but dogs are at equal risk of serious diseases and shorter lifespan because of it. As a lab owner it is ethical to oversee you dog’s overall development and weight gain.
Dogs are meant to be fit and active. Primarily, they used to dwell in forest and faunas so it was more than important to stay fit for hunting. Moreover an unhealthy lab can lead you to several veterinary which in turn will burn your pocket so it becomes a necessity to control your dog’s access to food. Here are some ways to help your Labrador stay slim.
1) Say NO to TREATS
Treats can be rewarding for your lab but these treats are negatively affecting them. They add extra calories to the daily calorie count which can cause problems in the long run. But if you are desperate to give them treats then at least you can cut the treat intake for the sake of your dog. Another healthy option can be vegetable or rice cakes which will keep both your lab and you, happy. Though they are relatively safe and are made up by keeping dog’s overall health in mind but some cheaper option in the market are adulterated. And yes, you should absolutely avoid glucose biscuits or any other sort of biscuits which are for human consumption. You should know that there is an oblique gap between humans and pets! So from next time when your dog will beg for treat, try to become an aware owner and avoid treat.
2) Add fiber to the diet
Fibrous foods are more sumptuous and filling than the normal food but the difference is that, it is less tasty than other food. Your canine will be reluctant at first but will become habitual soon. Fiber will enhance the metabolism of your pooch and will provide all the necessary nutrients. Fibers are equally essential for humans. So from next time, if you’re munching on some fibrous food, then don’t forget to serve the same to your pets. If you truly love your lab then why not substitute his/her regular diet with some fibrous sources of food.
3) Smaller Portions please!
Labrador loves to eat and you might have encountered this. Owner often fall for that cute and pleading face and give them more food but NO you are doing more harm than good. This practice can lead into obesity and we don’t need to further explain the ill effect of obesity. You can serve smaller portion in the regular interval, if you can see your lab starve. This routine is unmatchable if your lab is in his later stage. Also you keep in mind that as your Labrador gets older, metabolism get slower. So, you should try to cut his portions with the increasing age. If you do not want to change the diet plan then you can simply cut the portion of their regular diet
4) Aware your friends and family
Now you would ask what the need of this, but, getting your friends and family on board is necessary for your lab’s health. Your friends and family members might pass the table scraps or treat. It might feel nice to him but this habit is very bad for proper sustenance and it’s not in your dog’s best interest. It is necessary to teach your friends and family members, correct way of grooming lab. This will not only help you to groom your pup well but also for their future experiences. You can counsel them in a polite manner. An insecure and rude tone will only make the matter worse. So next time when any of your friends and relatives are passing their leftover to your dog then be courteous and advise them to avoid giving it to the lab.
And next point is the elaboration of this point i.e.
5) Table Scraps? A Big No!
Admit it; you must have done this after watching your canine’s pleading face. You might put up some reasons like having a proper diet but you miss the fact that you are actually not monitoring it. Table Scraps includes some of the dishes and ingredients which are not fit for your canine for example saturated fats and unrefined sugar which can drastically decrease your lab’s health. Beside this some cheaper treats are equally bad for your tyke.
Many people are obsessed with lab and the moment they receive it, start feeding him/her with whatever is on their shelf. As a result, the hound drastically gains weight. High-quality food is benevolent. Avoid excessive red meat and other forms of proteins as there is a limit for everything, and cross that in ignorance will ravage everything. Stereotypically we think that dogs are primarily non-vegetarian and this was the case till we started breeding them. Wolves are the quintessential examples of this case. Wolves are the native of today’s dog and they are a very good hunter. Their primary diet is meat and for the sake of survival, they have to run miles every day. While the dogs that we breed today don’t have any vigorous work to do hence protein is the least required nutrient in their diet. Hence, if you are going for some healthy alternative for your dog then select those items whose top two ingredients DOES NOT include meat and its byproduct.
6) Healthy food habits are lifesaver
Many people are obsessed with lab and the moment they receive it, start feeding him/her with whatever is on their shelf. As a result, the hound drastically gains weight. High-quality food is benevolent. Avoid excessive red meat and another form of proteins as there is a limit for everything, and cross that in ignorance will ravage everything. Stereotypically we think that dogs are primarily non-vegetarian and this was the case till we started breeding them. Wolves are quintessential examples of this case. Wolves are the native of today’s dog and they are a very good hunter. Their primary diet is meat and for the sake of survival, they have to run miles every day. While the dogs that we breed today don’t have any vigorous work to do hence protein is the least required nutrient in their diet. Hence, if you are going for some healthy alternative for your dog then select those items whose top two ingredients DOES NOT include meat and its byproduct.
7) Set a daily food and walk routine.
If you are very lethargic and don’t want to indulge in routine walking then you should avoid getting a lab. Routine walk is very important for your lab’s health. Even If is raining or it is overcast, you should definitely go for a walk in raincoat and umbrella. Labs love water and rain and it will refresh their mood. Food routine is also subtle and feeding anything anytime will yield you a chubby hound. No wonder it is well said that discipline is a great teacher and in this case discipline is must. Being in a routine will also make you disciplined.
8) Exercise!!
These are some of the ways by which you can help your Labrador stay slim. If these methods are not working in your case then you should immediately visit a vet for consultation. We know the importance of your hound for you that’s why we keep bringing helpful blogs like these for your convenience.
Exercise is a necessity for humans as well as your four-pawed friend. Their natural exercise of hunting is not more with them, so at last, it becomes your duty to relish his/her health with some hardcore exercises. Brisk walking and running are some of the exercises which can be performed. But there are some constraints to it. For walking and running you will need a large area. So to solve this problem you can play games like fetch. You should teach your lab, the art of fetching and retrieving. No wonder why they are called Labrador RETRIEVERS. Besides this, you can give them dog toys. You can also search in your neighborhood for other dogs which can give your dog both- company and health.
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