Natural Ways to Prevent Weight-related Diseases
in Your Pets
The continuing trend in the upward weight spiral
isn't restricted to the human population anymore. While we
recently reported that more than 60 percent of men and women are
overweight or obese in this country alone, studies also indicate
that that canine obesity is certainly a significant
problem in the United States.
Studies indicate that a staggering 40
percent of domesticated canines in the United States are
considered overweight, a term applied when a dog
is anywhere from 5 to 20 percent over the ideal body weight for
its size and breed.
Excessive weight and obesity in dogs pose
significant health threats, as well as affect their quality of
life on a day-to-day basis. When a pet is overweight, they have
to exert more energy just to move around.
Overweight pets become sluggish, and
often tend not to get the amount of exercise necessary for them
to stay healthy. It also detracts from their
ability to play and enjoy the outdoors, which in most cases,
dogs practically live for!
But beyond simply slowing your pet down,
excessive weight can drastically increase their chances for
developing more serious diseases. Arthritis is very common in
obese dogs, as the added weight and pressure on their joints
causes them to wear out more quickly. Dogs may even lose a range
of motion, causing joints not to function properly, which can
also lead to arthritis.
In addition to arthritis, excessive weight in
dogs has also been linked to heart and liver disease,
respiratory conditions and even cancer. Once pet owners are
aware of the devastating potential of obesity, it isn't
surprising that they are willing to try anything, including
prescription medications, to fix the problem.
However, this raises an important question - Are
prescription drugs really the best option for treating your
overweight dog? Many of the drugs prescribed to animals, such as
steroids and corticosteroids for example, can result in very
serious side effects despite their short-term benefits.
You can avoid the potentially harmful
side effects by treating your dog’s weight problems naturally.
With so many natural alternatives available, there really isn't
a need to use prescription medications to treat a problem that
can be helped with simply a little diet, increased exercise and
herbal remedies!
Dr. Marcella Ridgway, a notable veterinarian at
the University of Illinois, reveals that in the majority of
cases the reason pets become overweight is because owners do not
spend enough time ensuring that they are eating and exercising
correctly. "The thing about dogs and cats," she explains, "is
that they don't make a conscious choice to overeat --people
choose this for them; we control the food. Therefore, it's
easier for them to stop if we give them something else to
enjoy."
By carefully monitoring the amount and quality of
food your dogs are fed, and making sure they have ample time
outside to exercise, you can prevent weight and actually
encourage weight loss.
Natural remedies can also be a
wonderful supplement to your dog's diet and exercise regime, and
can help your pet lose those extra pounds.
There are many herbal products that can help
naturally curb your pet’s appetite so you can avoid
chemical-based prescription drugs.
Just like humans, pets can struggle with various
health conditions that can make losing weight especially
difficult. Natural remedies can also help treat conditions like
thyroid problems and fatigue so they can enjoy a better quality
of life! There are even herbal products that can boost energy
levels in sluggish pets so they have more desire to exercise!
Once you start your pet on a new diet and
exercise regimen, it is crucial that you address the physical
stress that carrying excess weight can put on the body. Herbal
and homeopathic tonics can aid in the overall health and
functioning of important body system such as the circulatory
system, the heart, kidneys and liver. This is an essential part
in healing the effects of pet obesity.
By turning attention to your pet's weight and
making simple decisions - like choosing a healthy
diet and keeping them active - you are improving
their overall health.
Deciding to treat your pets using
natural alternatives to prescription drugs whenever possible is
another way you can give your dog a long, fit and healthy life.
And, it's the best way to keep your pet at a healthy weight and
their system performing at its peak function!
Information::
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PetAlive.com - Natural Remedies
