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Be your dog's best friend as weight watcher I've got a little weight problem. It's not my girth that I'm concerned about, though I could certainly stand to lose a few pounds. It's my black Labrador retriever, Coal, whose belly is ballooning. During a recent exam, my veterinarian, Dr. Tanya Muller at Richland Animal Hospital, told me that Coal was about 15 pounds overweight. For a human that might not sound so daunting, but for a 7-year-old female Lab - especially one bred and trained for upland bird and waterfowl hunting - carting around those extra pounds could spell trouble. Just as obesity is a serious health problem for the two-legged, it is just as big a problem for pets. Large dog breeds, such as Labs, commonly have orthopedic problems with their hips, shoulders, elbows and legs, often associated with strenuous activities in the field, such as retrieving game over rough terrain. And some problems are genetic, such as hip displaysia. Moreover, veterinarians commonly see injuries suffered by human athletes, such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, showing up in hunting dog breeds, Muller said. And, if your dog is overweight, chances are you could exacerbate such problems, which could ultimately reduce the time you and your hunting partner have together in the field. Steve Kirk of Penny Creek Kennels in Benton City said he sees too many overweight dogs. And the problem, he said, starts with owners who simply feed their dogs too much. "At our kennels," he said, "we're seeing adult male Labs that are easily 15 to 20 pounds overweight, and I'm seeing it in hunting and non-hunting animals." However, the problem is not solely related to the amount of dry dog food pets are fed because like people, every animal has a different metabolic rate at which calories and fat are burned. Rather, it's the goodies and table scraps that make their way into your dog's bowl. "It's not the hamburger that's puts the weight on you and me, it's the french fries and the shakes," Kirk said. Kirk said a Lab that weighs 50 to 60 pounds might require two to three cups of dry dog food a day. But if the owner throws in several dog biscuits or snacks a day, that could equal another cup of food. Also, because of our hectic lifestyles, pets often do not get the exercise they need to burn off those extra calories. However, if your dog is on the chunky side, it's not recommend you start taking him on long jogs or extended bike rides, especially during our hot summer weather. Kirk said long daily walks, perhaps early or late in the day, are good for you and your pet, with swimming as one of the best all-round exercises for dogs. "Swimming is excellent for the dog's cardiovascular system and it's not hard on the joints," he said. Swimming's also a great way to beat the heat while giving your dog a thorough workout and some additional water training. Owners of chubby dogs also might want to limit or curtail the jumping in and out of the back of pickups, Kirk added. It's not the jumping into the pickup so much as it is the stress on the shoulders and legs when jumping down. Now, back to the dog bowl. Muller said that many dogs, especially those who have reached midlife, or about 6 to 7 years old, should be switched to a reduced calorie and lower fat dog food. Kirk said the dogs he trains do fine on chow with a fat content of 8 to 10 percent. "During the hunting season, or when the weather turns cold, I might boost the fat up to 15 or 20 percent," he added. The experts recommend, though, that you alter a dog's diet gradually. However, the best advice for any pet owner who believes his animal is overweight is to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to determine the ideal weight for your pet and to set up a weight-reduction regimen. So, while it's hard to ignore your pal as he drools watching you polish off the last of a juicy T-bone steak or a bag of chips, you're doing him a favor by saying no. And no doubt, he'll thank you later in the field.
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