Naturally Healthy Dogs
Is Your Dog Packing on the Pounds?

September, 2010

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Natural Dog Health Remedies

In this issue:

• Is Your Dog Packing on the Pounds?
• Natural Ways to Prevent Canine Obesity
• Product Review - PupLight Dog Collar Safety Light
• Dog Treat Recipe - Raita with Parsley and Catnip
• Aromatherapy Recipe - Fighting Fatigue

We are still experiencing abnormally hot weather here (Nagoya, Japan) despite it's already September. During this summer, it has been especially hard for dogs in our city to stay slim - the hot weather has confined them to their air-conditioned houses almost every day, making them chronic couch potatoes!

Dog obesity is a BIG problem (no pun intended). Do you know that obesity is the fourth leading cause of death among dogs? And do you know that an extra 7 pounds on a dog that should weigh 35 is equivalent to an extra 30 pounds on a human weighing 150?

A dog is considered overweight if it is 5% to 19% above its ideal weight. An obese dog is 20% or more above its ideal weight.

The main causes of dog obesity are too much food and too little exercise.

Dogs carrying too much weight are prone to truckloads of problems, such as arthritis, heart disease, skin and coat problems, trouble breathing, and difficulty controlling their body temperature.

So how do you tell if our dog is packing on the pounds?

Here is a quick way to tell if your dog is too heavy:

Gently place your hands on your dog's rib cage. Do the ribs seem to be covered by lots of flesh? Is it hard to even feel them? If so, your dog may be obese or overweight.

Other signs to look for:

• Fat on the lower back and the base of the tail
• No "waist" (or only a slight one) when viewed from above
• A thickened trunk near the hind legs

Diet Pills for Dogs?

Slentrol (by Pfizer) is the first FDA approved diet pill for canine obesity. It works by suppressing the dog's appetite and blocking fat absorption.

But do we really need a diet pill for dogs?

Some veterinarians feel that drugs for dog weight loss are going to the extreme. Some believe that these drugs should only be used when the comfort and health of the dog has been so severely compromised that he is in danger of serious illness, incapacitation, or death.

I agree. I'd rather go the natural way.

It is possible to control your dog's weight through diet and exercise:

• Feed your dog a natural, high-quality diet. There are special diets that are effective in weight management, such as Wellness Super5Mix Weight Management Dry Dog Food, Wellness CORE Reduced Fat Grain-Free Dry Canine Diet Dog Food, and Natural Balance Reduced Calorie Dry Dog Food.
• Do not allow your dog to free feed (i.e. do not leave food down all the time).
• Do not over-feed.
• Do not give your dog high-caloric treats.
• Exercise MUST be a part of your dog's weight loss program. However, talk to your vet first before starting a sedentary or overweight dog on an exercise regime. Start slow.

Visit our page on Weight Loss for Dogs for more suggestions on canine weight control.

No matter what you do, remember - don't rush! You will want to make sure your dog loses weight at a slow rate (about 1% of his body weight per week). Losing weight rapidly can cause a loss of lean body mass.

PupLight Dog Collar Safety Light

Because of the hot weather, I walk my dog Hana late at night and I find this PupLight indispensable.

It is light (weighs only 2.5 oz) but surprisingly bright as it has three ultra-bright LED's. The light comes with its own adjustable band but you can detach it and hang it on your dog's own collar. It is also water resistant.

The light doesn't bother Hana as it hangs down from her neck. On the contrary, with the light, she seems to be walking with more confidence! (One of the reasons is probably due to all the attention she's getting - Many dog parents stop her and admire her light!)

Now I feel safer at night because both my dog and I are more visible.

If you walk your dog at night, get one for your dog. You won't regret it!

This simple raita recipe is easy to prepare and makes an excellent meal topper for your dog. Very refreshing in the hot weather!

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh catnip leaves (or other mint of your choice)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Instructions

1. Try to use organic products whenever possible.
2. Put everything except the yogurt in a food processor or blender and mix.
3. Transfer to a bowl.
4. Stir in yogurt.
5. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Catnip contains a lot of minerals such as iron, manganese, potassium, selenium, and other nutrients including vitamins A and C. It is good for the digestive system. It can also calm nervous animals.

Parsley is also loaded with nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K, iron, folate, and other minerals. It is anti-cancerous. What's more, it's a breath freshener!

Garlic is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, iron, and many other goodies. In small amount, garlic is safe for dogs. Please see our page Garlic for Dogs for more information.

This essential oil blend is effective in revitalizing dogs who are suffering from fatigue, lethargy, and malaise due to hot weather, overactivity, chronic illness, or just old age! (Adapted from "Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals" by Kristen Leigh Bell):

• 1/2 oz (15 ml) base oil such as sweet almond oil
• 7 drops Rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops Tangerine essential oil
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil

Mix well and store in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2-4 drops of the blend to the neck and chest of the dog via gentle massage.

NOTE: Use rosemary oil with caution if your dog is prone to seizures.