Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Neutered or Overweight Dog Food Diet

A fat dog is never a healthy dog. "It's just puppy fat," some people might say. Another excuse is "It's just middle-aged spread." And how many times have you heard, "he's been neutered, so he can't help but be fat?" These are all grand excuses. In addition, each of them carries a little bit of truth.

Puppies are a bit rounder than adults and their skin is a bit looser. Middle-aged dogs experience a bit of a "spread" if their dietary habits don't change from those of their youth. Neutered dogs do sometimes gain weight after the surgery, in part due to hormones. Dogs that remain at their ideal weight throughout their lifetimes can actually extend their life expectancy by two or more years.

Weight management becomes imperative in the dog's middle years. A puppy can carry some extra weight; however, after about a year of age any extra weight should be lost. Weight should come off relatively easily simply by increasing his daily exercise, gradually increasing the amount of his exercise gradually over 14 days. At the same time, gradually reduce the amount of food at each meal, up to as much as 25% if necessary. If these measures have no effect, then a prescription food used under the care of a veterinarian might be necessary.

Being too lean is equally as problematic. Dogs that do not get enough calories do not have enough energy to sustain them through the day. When dogs lack protein, they can not build or maintain muscle mass; in fact, their bodies consume themselves by absorbing their muscle mass. In addition, dogs that do not carry enough lean weight can not fight off disease as easily. If your dog eats well but still is too thin due to his activity level, then increasing the amount of protein and fat content in your dog's food might help. If his underweight condition continues, then see your vet to rule out thyroid involvement.

Finally, there is no reason for your neutered dog to gain a great deal of weight after his surgery. A neutered dog will experience hormonal changes once the surgery is performed. As a response to this hormonal change, the dog will experience a slowdown in his metabolism.

This slowed metabolism does not make weight gain inevitable, however. It is at this stage that the owner should step up and take the responsibility for reducing the dog's caloric intake to compensate for the metabolic change.

Today's dog has little control over what he eats. If there are changes in your dog's weight, it is up to you to make the necessary changes to keep him slender. Know your dog and be aware of any dietary changes that he may need. Unless he starts to hunt for himself, you are the one responsible for keeping him at a healthy weight.

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