How To Tell if your German Shepherd is Overweight

How To Tell if your German Shepherd is Overweight: https://www.anythinggermanshepherd.com/how-to-tell-if-your-german-shepherd-is-overweight/

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German Shepherds are high-energy dogs that require lots of exercise but, if they don’t get the exercise they need or are fed the wrong foods, this breed is prone to weight gain.
Obesity in dogs is just as common as it is with humans, so it’s super important that we keep a close eye on their weight gain by managing what they eat and how much exercise they get each day.
There are a few specific reasons why your German Shepherd is gaining weight, and unfortunately lots of dog owners don’t realize how easy it is for dogs to become obese.
The first reason is a lack of exercise - Just like in humans, if dogs are consuming more calories than they’re burning off, they’re going to gain weight.
Large portion sizes is another culprit to consider - even if your dog receives regular walks, if you’re feeding them too much food, they’re still likely to put on weight.
Unsuitable food can also cause obesity. Choosing what you feed your dog is very important and can affect their overall health. Things to consider when buying your dog’s food are the nutritional requirements as well as where they are in their life cycle.
Neutering and spaying has also been known to slow metabolism in some dogs. If your German Shepherd has recently been neutered or spayed, it’s vital they get plenty of daily exercise.
Illness and genetics will also play a role here, since the German Shepherd breed is more prone to weight gain as well as illnesses that promote weight gain.
With this in mind, your GSD should ideally fall into the standard weight range of the breed. Adult males typically weigh between 65 and 90 pounds and females weigh between 50 and 70 pounds.
Let’s now go over some tell-tale signs your German Shepherd may be overweight:
Tiredness - if your dog appears to become exhausted after simple everyday movements such as climbing the stairs, this is a sign that something may be wrong.
Another sign could be physical changes - if you can visibly see that your dog has put on weight, you'll likely struggle to feel their ribs and will notice a large layer of fat. You should also be able to see their waist, which despite their long coat, should still be visible.
You also need to look out for mood & behavior changes - a happy and healthy German Shepherd will be alert and interested in playing. If they no longer appear interested, it could be weight related.
And finally, finding out exactly how much your dog weighs will be the surest way to know if your dog is obese.
So if your GSD is in fact obese, the first thing you need to do is identify why your dog is gaining weight, so you can take the best course of action.
Typically, it will just be down to diet and exercise - It’s recommended that German Shepherds get about two hours of exercise or one hour of extensive exercise per day.
When feeding your German Shepherd, try using a smaller bowl, or even a slow feeding bowl.
If your dog is overweight, and you don’t do anything to reverse it, you could be putting your GSD at risk for developing several health issues such as injury, reduced lifespan, back pain, joint pain, breathing problems, arthritis, and cancer.
Keeping on top of your German Shepherd’s weight is an important part of their overall care, and as always, if you have any serious concerns, contact your veterinarian.
Thanks a lot for joining us today, until next time! DISCLAIMER:
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Видео How To Tell if your German Shepherd is Overweight канала Anything German Shepherd