Remember, the Labrador was created to spend long hours. To prevent your Lab from becoming overweight, start off by making sure he or she gets lots of regular exercise. Measure your Lab’s food with a measuring cup to ensure you're feeding your Lab the right amount of food. During this time, they re building strong bones and muscles, and . Obesity & Weight Control, As an Amazon Associate, TrendingBreeds.com earns from qualifying purchases. Obesity is a huge health problem with Labs. But Labs aren’t going to put themselves on the road to a healthy weight. Offering too large of meals isn’t the only problem though, as feeding snacks, dog bones, and tidbits of people food throughout the day can quickly equate to added weight as well. Also, supervise your children if they feed your Lab; they may feed it too much and not realize it. The adult Labrador Retriever has an average weight of 25 to 32 kilograms for females and 29 to 36 kg for males. Give them milk and milk products like curd in ample amounts. Add good fats to each meal. Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video. Labrador Exercise Guide And Ideas In 2020 Labrador Retriever Labrador Dog Exercise . Pin On Labs . Colors are black, chocolate, or yellow. Many owners find that this is the time when their once-trim Labrador becomes a little too hefty. This POMC variant compromises the dog’s ability to feel full and satisfied after a meal, leaving him feeling hungry all of the time. Unseen Abdominal tuck. How to Treat Obesity in Labrador Retrievers, https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/weight-management/2014-AAHA-Weight-Management-Guidelines-for-Dogs-and-Cats, http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-variant-may-help-explain-why-labradors-are-prone-to-obesity, http://www.thelabradorsite.com/fat-labrador/, http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/obesity-in-dogs/845. Why being overweight matters. The result? A dog's diet is vital to its health, and therefore to treat excess weight there is nothing better than making a dietary review and naturally solve this condition through a better, more balanced diet.. A total weight-management program can lead to successful weight loss inoverweight or obese dogs. Those working dogs had hearty appetites but quickly burned off extra calories each day through hard work. The final growth and weight that a Labrador will reach will depend on the genetics, diet and health of the dog during the growth stage. Don't give in and don't give treats, except for pieces of carrot during the dieting period. This article has been viewed 30,851 times. The rib and hip bones and the knobs of the backbone are difficult to find by gentle probing or can’t be felt at all. Cook food for your Labrador retriever that contains a suitable combination of foods. Obesity is a huge health problem with Labs. Those extra pounds are not just a physical trait, they are subtracting years from the life expectancy of your furry pal. Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pooch's size at every check-up. If he gets a lot of household scraps these may have to go too. ), as they're generally leaner. Dry matter label analysis reveals the product contains 28% protein, 13% fat and 51% (estimated) carbs… delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 48%. Flaxseed and walnut oil also provide good fats. They are usually high in sugar and fat. This equation had obviously been in action for quite while with out fat labrador. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Some smaller breeds, like Dachshunds, are also likely to become overweight if they are not fed a diet tailored to their energy requirements. % of people told us that this article helped them. Obesity in dogs is the number one preventable disease in pets. The best diet for Labradors is a protein-rich high-quality diet consisting of 18-22% protein. On Days 3-4, increase the percentage of new food to 50 percent, with the other 50 percent being the old . Even if you've noticed your dog is carrying a little extra weight, you may not be aware how much it can affect his health. Sound familiar? Most Labs are incredibly food motivated and can easily grow too heavy. This article had helpful info and advice that I trust. [1] So jump in and be inspired to create a healthier lifestyle for your furred friend today! If your vet diagnosed obesity in your Lab, it will be very important for it to lose weight. It is the first weight loss medication for dogs and is recommended when dietary and exercise changes are not enough. As dogs age, they tend to naturally slow down, just like people and will spend more and more time resting and sleeping as they ease into old age. A weight loss medication called Slentrol is available. Age. Correct your pet's diet. A healthy weight loss rate for dogs is one to two percent of body weight per week. An overweight Labrador has been put on an intensive weight loss regime after gorging on chicken dinners led to him ballooning to more than nine stone. That equates to approximately. But Labs aren't going to put themselves on the road to a healthy weight. A healthy weight for a Labrador retriever is between 55 and 80 pounds. Before you go ahead and put your pudgy pup on a diet, schedule a visit to the vet. Obesity in Labradors is a medical issue, and you will need professional advice on how to tackle it. Then of course there is the choice of how much to feed a Labrador. So why do Labs seem to struggle more with this issue than other breeds? These are all very common Labrador behaviors. Serum biochemical analyses were performed, body condition was scored, and body composition was . Certain health issues, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease, can cause unexpected weight gain and lead to obesity if not properly treated. Hypothyroidism affects up to 25 percent of Golden Retrievers, and weight gain is a symptom. If your dog falls into either category, they are not alone. However, they should have the right balance of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber for optimum health and longevity. Prescription weight loss foods tend to contain more protein, vitamins, and minerals than OTC foods, decreasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Food plays a very important role in treating an overweight dog. If you think your Lab is overweight, begin by consulting with your vet to design an appropriate feeding and exercise regime. Research source Because puppies go through a remarkable growth spurt that can last as long as two years, their nutrition can make a life-long difference in their health. You should also switch your dog’s usual treats with healthier ones like apple slices, unbuttered popcorn, and bits of banana, which will help to reduce its calories throughout the day. This explains why so many Labradors are intensely food motivated (which does make training quite easy) and have a desire to eat that far exceeds their actual nutritional requirements – leading to obesity. By using our site, you agree to our. Objective: To evaluate the effects of 25% diet restriction on life span of dogs and on markers of aging. Knowledge is power, right? It’s a wise idea to evaluate your Lab’s weight once a month or so and it only takes a few moments to complete. When looking at your Labrador his or her shape should be wider at the chest and thinner at the abdomen, you should be able to see the abdominal truck. As a general guideline, 7.5 to 10 years of age is the accepted age a Labrador becomes senior. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Rich diets loaded with fat and excess calories or poor-quality kibble packed with empty calories can both enable your Lab to pack on extra pounds. Both of these conditions can occur when the amount of energy (in the form of food) consumed is greater than the amount of energy expended. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Diet foods should be low in fat (under 20% of calories from fat). Today, many Labs are not given the opportunity to. This product offers weight loss management helping your dog maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Procedures: Dogs were paired, and 1 dog in each pair was fed 25% less food than its pair-mate from 8 weeks of age until death. A high-protein diet with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content is best for large breeds like your Labrador. To treat your Labrador retriever’s obesity, visit your vet for advice on its diet and exercise routine. When a dog is spayed or neutered, the consequent hormonal changes result in a slower metabolism and an increased appetite. Your Lab will love the extra attention – just go easy on the dog treats! In addition to a lack of portion control, feeding the wrong kind of dog food can also lead to weight gain. Authors Raquel Herrero-Labrador 1 2 , Angel Trueba-Saiz 1 2 , Laura Martinez-Rachadell 1 2 , Mᵃ Estrella . References. When it comes to dog food, picking the right kind for your pooch is imperative—especially when it comes down to its breed. Begging or looking hungry more often: put the food in a food puzzle toy or distract your Lab with a fun activity (playing, petting), Raiding the trash for more food: give your Lab more toys to play with, Refusing the new food: switch to the new food over at least one week (gradually increase the mix of new vs old food); use healthy treats to make the new food look more enticing. This article will explore the best diet for Labrador . An overweight dog chart, or body condition score (BCS) chart, can help: On the 9-point scale, a score of 4 to 5 would be ideal for most breeds, while 3 can be normal in sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc. A higher protein content helps a dog feel more satisfied with less begging. Step 1. These activities will get him moving, slow his eating down so his tummy has a chance to realize that it’s full and will provide mental stimulation. A high-protein diet with low-to-moderate fat and calorie content is best for large breeds like your Labrador. spontaneously overweight dogs. Extra pounds accumulate. We also participate in other affiliate programs and are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (at no cost to you). ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2002 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first-ever lifelong canine diet restriction study, researchers from Nestle Purina PetCare have proven that a dog's median life span can be extended by 15 percent -- nearly two years for the Labrador Retrievers in this study -- by restricting diet to maintain ideal body condition*. Many dogs can lose 3 to 5-percent and most cats should aim for about a half-pound per month" [11] Twenty-eight healthy male Labrador Retriever dogs were included, 12 of which were classified as lean (body condition score (BCS) 4-5 on a 9-point scale) and 16 as overweight (BCS 6-8). Obesity can have a devastating impact on your Lab’s health. Take your dog for a walk more often. "Feed them treats in moderation and avoid . You can treat your Lab’s obesity by changing its diet and increasing its physical activity. Nutrient dense food gives your Lab enough protein and complex carbs to last all through the day, but it won't add a bunch of empty calories to your Lab's diet. Weight loss occurs more easily with some dogs than other dogs. But you will need to pick one that is high in fat and protein, and low in carbohydrates. Labrador retrievers are, unfortunately, genetically prone to obesity.
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