Tips and Tricks For Keeping Your Dachshund In Shape
Dachshunds were originally bred for hunting, chasing, and digging out prey. This is a very active job and the dogs were built to be small, lean, and well-muscled.
Even though the need for working dogs has diminished over time, the breed remains quite popular. However, the lack of a working job has led to an increase in obesity in the Dachshunds.
Prone to spinal injuries, limiting activity is nothing new to Dachshund owners. Many will limit rough play, running, jumping, using stairs, and prolonged exercise to decrease the chance of intervertebral disk disease or injury that is all too common in this breed.
While spinal injury is a real risk, so is obesity, which can further complicate a spinal injury. It is important to keep your Dachshund in tip-top shape to avoid back and joint injuries as well as other medical conditions such as diabetes.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep your pup fit.
Dachshund Diet
Diet is important to make sure you’re feeding your dog the appropriate number of calories. Your veterinarian is a great place to start. They will check your dog’s weight and calculate the right number of calories they should be eating each day.
Measure the dog food with an accurate measuring cup to know exactly how much they’re eating. Another good place to get a rough guideline for how much they should be eating is on the back (or side) of the dog food bag. Listed here are the feeding guidelines which tell you how many cups of food your dog needs for their weight. Make sure you use their ideal weight and not their current weight if they are obese.
Dachshund Exercise
Make sure you have your doxie exercise as much as possible, but be careful not to let your Dachshund jump on and off furniture, decks, or steps. This is the most common way they can injure their backs, especially if they’re overweight and working on losing a few pounds, supplying a Dog Ramp to help your Dachshund reach higher areas is a good idea to prevent these issues.
You should still encourage an active lifestyle by taking your pup for long walks, playing fetch, and playing with other dogs while supervised (just make sure it doesn’t get too “ruff”).
Dachshund Treats
Limit treats. Everybody and their dog loves treats and snacks! Just make sure you’re limiting these as they can add up to extra pounds quickly.
If you give your pup more than a few treats a day, you will likely need to decrease the amount of food you’re feeding them. Some healthy treat alternatives include green beans, carrots, apple slices, a spoonful of plain yogurt, or a spoonful of organic canned pumpkin.
Regular Vet Visits
Regular visits to your veterinarian are always important. Yearly physical exams are recommended even if your dog is healthy. This is a good way to track your dog’s weight, screen for potential issues, and communicate with your vet about your dog’s diet and lifestyle.
Your vet will have great tips and tricks for a more personalized approach to keeping your dog trim. A fit and healthy dog is a happy dog and will make you a happy owner!
80% of Dogs Develop Arthritis or Joint Pain by 7 Years old – Here’s How to Protect Them
Most of us train our dogs when they are puppies to jump up on furniture. We think it’s harmless (and easier than always lifting them), but for dogs, couches and beds are very high compared to the size of their bodies.
Every time they jump it compresses their back and applies enormous force to their joints.
It’s no wonder that an incredible 80% of dogs experience arthritis or joint pain by only 7 years old.
Luckily, there is a vet-recommended solution.
It’s the PawRamp by Alpha Paw. An adjustable ramp that allows dogs to safely get on and off couches and beds. PawRamp makes joining you in bed or on the couch effortless and fun.
As a bonus, you can use code SAVE35 to get $35 off the PawRamp today.
