I wasn’t surprised, when the veterinarian stated that
my black lab Onyx was mildly obese. Though the
outward signs were easily recognizable, in my K9 counterpart, some
news is still hard to hear.
Over the years, my faithful companion and I have
always prided ourselves in staying physically fit but it was apparent that
three years of decadent living had caused the addition of a few pounds in my K9 friend.
To begin the story, I should
outline the underlying reasons that led this doggie athlete needing the
services of a weight watchers support group.
Our household has recently undergone a series of
significant changes that have completely altered the packs dynamics. The birth
of two children has refocused time typically invested with an energetic duck
dog, to more immediate and pressing concerns. Family time now limits free time
with Onyx and ultimately the amount of daily workouts received. Severe
cut in our long walks and afternoon swims, have made it
challenging for her to maintain a healthy weight. With exercise minimized and food intake maximized, by
toddlers who see throwing food as Olympic events, one can
easily see the cards were stacked against her from the very beginning.
With opening day of waterfowl season now only 6 MONTHS AWAY, my once svelte puppy needs to begin preparing for what always promises to be a rigorous and demanding hunting
season.
As an outdoor enthusiast, I have climbed some of the
highest peaks in the Americas, including 22,843 ft. Mount Aconcagua, in
Patagonia. These events require months of advanced physical preparations, well
beyond the ordinary. Through these journeys, I have learned much about the
human body and its strengths and weaknesses. Included in this knowledge is the
critical understanding that before embarking on any exercise program be sure to
be familiar with your limitations. People and pets, starting any exercise
regiment, without knowledge of possible underlying issues, could potentially
enter into a life-threatening situation. For the safety of you and man’s best
friend, be sure to consult with the experts and have them assist in designing a
healthy living plan for you and your pet.
The Basics of Good Health
For man and beast alike, good health basics involve
finding a balance between food intake and exercise. Winter months are often a
time of the year when the activity levels of most Mainer's drop off significantly.
Harsh temperatures, force all but the hardiest of folks and pets to curl up on
couches, enjoying hot chocolate and Christmas dinner leftovers. This is a time
of year, when we start thinking that our pants have shrunk in the wash. With
spring’s arrival, warm temperatures lure us back to the woods and waters and it
becomes easier to increase our amount of daily exercise. It is certainly
understandable, that at times in our lives, we go through periods of increased
and decreased activity levels. If during these times, we fail to modify food
intake, our waist sizes are certain to expand.
Nutrition and “Diet”
Why people “diet”, is something I have never
understood. While most claim it is an effective way of losing weight, what they
are missing is that once returning to eating, as done before the “diet”, all previously
lost weight will return. Permanent weight loss is only achieved by a lifestyle
change.
Food choices for humans and canines are many and
varied. To insure healthy food selections, create a balance between quantity
and quality. Even nutritionally balanced food can be over eaten, leading to
health issues. Make sure to read the recommended serving sizes on bags of dog
food, outlining the amount that should be consumed daily by different sized
animals. For extremely overweight animals, select dog foods specifically
targeted to over weight or older animals.
Through the years, specific brands
of dog food have fallen in and out of favor as companies have switched hands.
The best thing for your pet is to religiously check ingredient and nutritional
labels for changes. Avoid feeding dogs table scraps, as these typically contain
a much higher fat content then a dog requires and can be to rich for most dogs
to process, leading to intestinal complications. Dogs that appear hungry, even
when provided with a sufficient amount of food, can be provided boiled green
beans to fill their tummies without adding a significant number of additional
calories.
Exercise
We all understand that exercise is
required to enhance well being. A dogs health depends directly on how much love
and attention they receive. Considering this, how do humans prioritize their
limited available time with their pets? Smart humans exercise with their pets.
Any exercise program should be
started slowly. Nothing is more discouraging then pulling a muscle or suffering
an injury when first trying to get motivated. This doesn’t mean that exercise
with your dog need be mundane or ordinary. While a walk in the park or throwing
the tennis ball may seem to be effective, most sportsmen will find that tying a
dogs exercise routine with something mutually enjoyable will make it easier to accomplish.
Many find it more beneficial to
supplement dog training and exercise programs with family outings and
adventures (walks, hikes, camping, swimming, etc). Caring for a family pet is a
valuable skill for all children to learn. Involving children in the process of
pet care is important foundation upon which to build a lifetime of healthy
living practices. Ultimately to be successful, in an exercise routine, set a
time that is a component of the regular daily routine and something man and
beast both enjoy.
Final Thoughts
A system of healthy living is the key in maintaining
the ability to continue to do the things you love for years to come. The more
you exercise the easier and more enjoyable it becomes and the more energy you
will have to expand your routine.
The strength to effectively paddle a canoe, hike into
the backcountry or even haul out a monster buck are vastly improved with a few
modifications to your diet and daily exercise routine. Many accidents and
injuries can be avoided by having a physically fit body capable of dealing with
minor stresses and strains. Pounds of additional weight are hard on human backs
and knees and can lead to hip and joint problems in canines as well. Even the
loss of a couple pounds can have a dramatic effect!
