How To Have A Happy Dog

Is your dog very fussy about what he eats? Or is he so greedy that he steals food from your plate when you’re not looking? Food is such a staple of life that when we offer a meal to our dogs and they turn up their noses and refuse to eat, we can be left feeling guilty and frustrated, almost as if we’ve let them down in some way.

On the other hand, it can be very annoying if you are just about to sit down to lunch and turn your back for a moment, only to return and discover that your dog has helped himself! However, whatever the problem, there is always a solution.

FUSSY EATER

Owners who resort to spoon-feeding fussy eaters or constantly tempting them with different flavors and varieties of food, will actually be making the problem even worse.

To encourage your dog to eat, try putting down a daily allowance of balanced, complete food in a clean bowl. If he doesn’t finish it, don’t offer him anything else (particularly not snacks and treats), and just before you go to bed at night dispose of any food left in the bowl. Repeat this the following day and most behaviorists predict that you will see an improvement within a few days. Remember, you have his best interests at heart, so don’t worry that you are being mean.

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If your dog is overweight he could suffer from serious health problems including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and respiratory problems. He may also be lethargic, sleep more and ultimately have a shorter lifespan.

RESEARCH

Studies show that more dogs than ever are classed as overweight. Some of this is attributed to their owners feeding too much of the wrong kind of food; in addition, an increase in demands on owners’ time makes it more difficult for them to exercise their dogs adequately. A combination of exercise and altered eating habits (not one or other on its own) is the most effective way to achieve and maintain weight loss.

If you take your dog for an annual check-up, his weight will be assessed and your vet can tell you if he is piling on the pounds. This is definitely not a happy situation, but thankfully it can be remedied.

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