As a responsible puppy owner, you need to care about your puppy and pay attention to your puppy's health. You must be aware of your dog's growth progress, from puppyhood all the way to adulthood. You must also ensure he remains healthy for the rest of his life. Try to keep a weekly record of your puppy's weight until he becomes a year old and it will help you determine if you have to modify your puppy's diet.
Although your puppy may look adorable and cuddly if he is chubby, he has a greater risk of developing a bone disease or joint problems. However, a puppy that is not ingesting his required food intake on a daily basis may be dealing with a disease by the type of food he is eating. If your puppy is from a large-breed, it will probably take at least 2 years before you see a remarkable growth in his size.
Obese puppies can become obese dogs and the best way to determine if your puppy is underweight or overweight is by feeling his ribs. To do this, start by moving your puppy onto a table. Put one hand on your puppy's left shoulder and the other on his right shoulder. Then, feel your puppy's ribs using a gentle pressure of the palm of your hand. His ribs should feel like they have a little bit of fat and muscle. If you can't find your puppy's ribs, he probably needs to lose some weight. However, if finding every single rib is really easy, you should consider giving him more food.
If you're unsure or if you want to find out how to help your puppy lose weight, see a veterinarian. Your vet should be able to give you specific instructions that you can implement daily. Your puppy will probably receive a nutritious weight loss diet that will satisfy his appetite and help him lose weight at the same time. Your vet may also propose regular exercise to help burn those additional pounds. Great exercises include walking, jogging and hours of playing.
Visit Dani's blog and discover more great information about puppy care, dog training, dog grooming, dog food and much more. You also can download his ebook 'The Secrets to Raising a Happier Dog: Common Questions & Answers!' for free.
Tip: If you'd like to know some great ways to train your dog to be well behaved, play safe and respect your every command, then check out Dani's dog training blog and get his free
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