Are You Overfeeding Your Dog?

Doting dog owners know how far we go to give our dogs everything they need. While some pet owners feed their dogs excessively out of concern that they might remain hungry, others may find it a way of expressing their love, something the dogs can keep wanting more of.

In our efforts to provide them with the essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals they need, we may be overfeeding them to avoid underfeeding.

Some dogs can’t tell when they should stop eating or when they’re full, which raises the question: how can you tell if your dog is being overfed?

Indicators of Overfeeding in Dogs

1. Obesity: Putting on weight suddenly is an obvious sign of overfeeding. Try feeling your dog’s ribs without pressing hard. If you're struggling to find them, it might be time to help your dog shed some extra pounds. Dogs are no strangers to obesity-related health problems, much like their human parents, so you’ll need to reduce their daily intake (vet allowing) and increase their activity time.

2. Loose Bowel Movements: Your dog's stools may be consistently and overly soft and loose. The signs of this condition become more apparent when your dog's bowel movements start out regular in the morning but gradually become softer as the day progresses. This could mean they are over-consuming nutrients to the point where their digestive system can’t process them. It may be time to get in touch with their vet.

3. Excessive Gas: A gassy dog might be consuming more food than necessary. To avoid this, make your dog eat slower. Interactive food dispensers can be helpful here, as pets need to put in some effort to have treats coming out of the dispenser in intervals.

4. Tear Staining: As a result of an overworked digestive system, your dog may develop a buildup of substances that would otherwise be removed. With your vet's approval, you can try feeding your dog smaller portions less frequently.

5. Lethargy: Overfed dogs naturally lack their usual energy and appear lethargic. They are full, and moving a lot of weight around is too much work for them.

6. Skin Disorders and Itching: Dogs that overeat or eat unhealthily will show signs of skin problems and shed more than considered normal for them. You may notice an increase in itching as well, as their skin folds may develop infections.

The Risks of Overfeeding

• Diabetes: There’s a constant risk of diabetes in dogs eating high-calorie, and sugary treats regularly.

• Digestive and Gastrointestinal Disorders: Having your dogs eat the wrong type of food or excessive amounts can upset their stomachs.

• Joint and Bone Health: Too much weight can pose a strain problem on a dog's musculoskeletal system. This can exacerbate any pre-existing conditions like hip dysplasia.

• Reduced Lifespan and Quality of Life: Overfeeding can shorten a dog's life and lead to a lower quality of life.

• Behavioral Problems: Feeding more than recommended can result in food aggression, begging, and other behavioral issues in your dog.

To avoid all this, prioritize balanced and high-quality dog food while limiting treats, keep track of your dog's weight, and make sure they get ample exercise. But most importantly, stick to the food portions their vet advises are safe and healthy by measuring it with the right scale.

The ELECTRONIC PET FOOD SCALE CUP by Turpit measures your dog's food accurately through its high-precision sensor system, keeping your dog well away from the risks of overfeeding and helping with better diet habits.

Bottom Line

It may be difficult to resist the pleading eyes and begging glances from our pets for more treats or food.

But it’s important to appreciate that even well-intentioned acts can be harmful to our pets, and overfeeding them can lead to some serious health risks.

By educating ourselves and going for smarter feeding practices, we can get our dogs to live their best life!