All About the Dogs

In the sanctuary we are accustomed to seeing thin dogs so, I was surprised to find out that 54 % of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese. That statistic comes from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. 

So Why Are So Many Dogs Obese? 

In most cases, it’s because we are feeding our pets more calories than they’re burning off. With over a third of all American’s tipping the scales of obesity, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our little furry friends are getting a bit pudgy. 

Top 5 Causes of Dog Obesity 

1) Overeating 

Are you guilty of leaving your fur baby’s food dish out 24/7 so he can graze all day? How about table scraps? Treats? Do you frequently share your food with your pup? For many pet parents, the answers to these are probably yes, but they are habits we should definitely reconsider.

 2) Not Getting Enough Exercise

Exercise is so important. It burns calories and benefits overall health. Exercise provides balance — calories in vs calories burned. While I don’t fully believe in the energy balance theory (because many people who follow this approach feel the type of food consumed isn’t important), there is no denying more energy (or calories) in than out over time will lead to weight gain. So remember, if you’re feeding your dog more calories than he can burn, then the extra calories are going to turn to fat

3) Genetics

Some breeds are naturally more prone to obesity than others. It doesn’t mean that all dogs from these breeds will become obese, it just means that it’s easier for them to pack on the extra pounds. The Basset Hound, Beagle, Bichon, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Pug, Rottweiler, and St Bernard are more prone to gaining weight.  

4) Age

As your dog goes through each stage of life, his dietary needs will continue to change. Make sure to feed the right formula balanced for your canine companion’s right age — puppy, adult, or senior. 

5) Certain Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can cause your pooch to gain weight too. That’s why it’s important to get checked. If your dog is overweight or obese, see your vet for a basic health check and make sure the weight gain is from overeating and not from a health issue. 

Is My Dog Overweight/Obese?

Place your hands on your dog’s spine and run them over his back and ribs. It should be easy to feel the ribs and spine (although, it shouldn’t poke out either). If not, chances are your dog is overweight. 

Check out this chart from GuideDogs.org for a better visual: 

Overweight Dogs are at Risk For:

Just like with humans, dogs that are obese are more

  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Thyroid Problems
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Osteoarthritis and Other Joint Disorders
  • Cancers
  • Exercise Intolerance
  • A Shortened Lifespan of up to 2½ Years 

Tips To Managing Your Dog’s Weight

Just like with humans, losing weight is going to require some behavior modification and lifestyle changes… for you and your fur baby.  

Get Active

Increasing exercise is as easy as going for a walk.  It’s not only great for Fido, but it’s great for you too. Depending on your own activity level, you can take your dog running, go on a hike and/or bump up your playtime. If your dog is not used to exercising, start slow and increase the workout as he gets used to it. Never exhaust him.

Meal Time

Get off free feeding and start portioning out your pup’s food. Some pet parents choose to feed their dogs once a day, others twice. If you have little dogs, though, I definitely recommend spacing out the calories and feeding twice a day.

Low-Calorie Snacks

  • Baby carrots are great for teeth and eye health. They are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene.
  • Green beans are low calorie and filling. No salt. You can also dehydrate them for a crunch.
  • Apple slices are a satisfying treat. They’re loaded with vitamins and antioxidants and provide a nice crunch. Not too much apple because of the sugar, though. Plus, NEVER feed them the pits!
  • Blueberries, strawberries, watermelon. These all freeze well too!
  • Dehydrated sweet potatoes.
  • Frozen banana slices.

These are just a few low-calorie and healthy snack ideas for you. But remember, these are still treats, so don’t overdo it. 
Connie

A Lost Dog 
The Humane Society has been busy the last couple of weeks, several volunteers have been in the boot-hill of Missouri looking for a lost dog.  The dog’s name is Rainy.  Rainy is a 2-1/2 year old Boston Terri.  Her mom was involved in an accident on the southbound side of I-55 at mile marker 1. Once Rainy’s mom was able to get out of the vehicle, she immediately started trying to find Rainy – mom lost sight of her as she ran across the northbound side of I-55.  Since the accident Rainy has been seen once in a cornfield near the accident site.  Volunteers have spent days and nights covering the farmland and ditches but Rainy is still missing.

This week if you have a moment take a ride out around mile marker 1 or say a short prayer for Rainy and her mom, Rainy’s Mom after twenty days in Blytheville searching daily for Rainey, has returned home.  It must, be a horrible feeling to know you fur-child is lost and you have to leave them behind.

Most of us think this situation will never happen to us – but just in case, we want to share a few tips about finding your lost pet while traveling.

If you dog gets loose or lost, finding them within the first few hours is crucial.  Veterinarians have confirmed that even a small pet such as a small dog or cat can trot indefinitely at 3 miles per hour. So, if for some reason your pet must run frantically non-stop, and if he does so at just 3 mph, he could travel 24 miles in just 8 hours; 36 miles in 12 hours; 72 miles in a full 24-hour day.

Although not always true, when lost and on his own, a dog tends to roam, sometimes in circles, sometimes in rather straight lines. A cat on the other hand, will tend to run/hide, until he finds a safe spot in which to hole up that is not already occupied by a tough opponent, a spot which is dry, and one which offers some protection from the elements.

There a few other things that you should consider:
Walk the area looking in small spaces and under cars. If you have another dog walk it in the same area.

Ask those helping you search not to chase the dog if they see him or her, but to try to keep the dog in- sight until you get there.

Look at dusk and dawn because animals tend to move more during these hours.

Put food and water at the dogs last known location including a piece of your worn clothing like a sock or shirt and check the location often.

Take a photo of your dog with your phone number attached to every animal shelter, veterinary office, and groomer. Don’t just call, go in person as soon as possible. Visit the shelters again within 5 days.

Post a reward immediately on social media like Facebook, Craig’s List, and yard sale sights. Also run an ad in the local newspaper right away. Holdback one piece of information about your dog to be sure someone wanting to claim the reward is not a fraud.

Go door to door with flyers and post them in public places.
Things to do before traveling with your pet:

Be prepared by keeping a collar and tags with good phone numbers on your pet.
Keep recent pictures of your pet.
When traveling place your pet in a secured crate or harness and seatbelt.

When you find you pet please remember that once a pet is lost, he is frightened, hungry, confused, disoriented. As such, he may or may not behave as you are accustomed to seeing him do. Your much-loved long-term friend may even run from you if you see him. It’s not that he has forgotten you, he has just reverted to survival mode, in which he can no longer — at the moment — be certain of who is a friend vs who is out to get him. Please exercise patience.

Rainy is our pet of the week – please share her picture as much as possible, some of you may think finding Rainy is a long-shot, but we have found dogs 220 days after they have gone missing and we are praying for the same outcome with Rainy.

 

Reason People Dump Dogs
Reasons People Dump Their Dog