Fat Chihuahua

Tips For Preventing Fat Chihuahuas

Fat Chihuahuas are more prone to health problems just like humans. Maybe your Chihuahua is not fat right now, but odds are that if you are like the average dog owner your dog will become obese. Most dog owners spend more money on dog treats than they do on nutritious dog food.

Keeping your Chihuahua in a healthy weight range is much easier than trying to put your dog on a diet. There are lots of reasons to keep your Chihuahua from getting fat, or at least getting them to lose weight if they are already fat.

The best reason to keep a healthy weight for your dog is type II diabetes. Obese dogs, just like obese humans are prone to getting this condition. This condition is not genentic but due to obesity and often times can be controlled through weight loss alone and not through medication.

Another reason to prevent fat Chihuahuas is arthritis. Although your Chihuahua is small, their joints are tiny and designed to only hold so much weight. An extra pound might not mean much to you, but when you only weight 7 pounds that extra pound is a lot.

Buy a baby weighing scale at Walmart and start weighing your dog once a month. Adult human bathroom scales are too big for Chihuahuas and do not give an accurate reading at such low weights.

If your Chihuahua is already overweight start them on a weight loss program using the 10% rule. First cut out all treats, and then measure how much food you are giving your dog with a measuring cup.

Then reduce how much you are feeding by 10%. Your goal here should be gradual and healthy weight loss. You should only due this with the guidance of your veterinarian.

Be sure to visit your veterinarian twice a year and discuss things like weight and preventing fat Chihuahuas.

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