Over weight dogs… a growing problem.

According to the BBC nearly 50% of the UK’s Dogs are overweight and this percentage is growing, yet according to the PDSA 71% of people with overweight dogs are shocked when they are told that their dogs are overweight. One of the main reasons for the growing dog obesity problem going un-noticed is called ‘pet body dysmorphia’, when people do not see their dogs as being overweight, instead they see them as cute and cuddly.

The PDSA survey also showed that people are unaware of the problems that obesity can cause their dogs. The problems coused by dog obesity include:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

Arthritis already affects 1 in 5 dogs as they age. The problem is worse in overweight dogs, as they have so much more weight on their joints.

The PDSA have produced a leaflet on how you can check your dog’s weight and shape and see if your dog is overweight. To download the leaflet click here.

If your dog is overweight then diet and exercise are key to getting the weight down. This is not a simple process for many reasons for example if your dog is being fed less than they are used to then they may feel starved and not want to exercise. In addition your dog could be missing key nutrients and micro nutrients essential to help them loose weight.

That is why Pooch & Mutt have created Slimmin’ Tonic – a weight loss aid for dogs. Slimmin’ Tonic is the product of a long period of research and works based on 3 principles:

1) Fat Burning. Slimmin’ Tonic includes nutrients and micro nutrients that are essential to metabolise (burn) fat. If your dog is deficient in these nutrients and micro nutrients they will never be able to burn the maximum amount of fat, no matter how much exercise they do. Slimmin’ Tonic helps burn both body fat and the fat in food and convert it into energy, so that you dog can be more active and healthier.

2) Appetite Reduction. Slimmin’ Tonic includes fibres that swell in your dog’s stomach, making them feel fuller. This reduces appetite, stopping them wanting to eat more than they should and means that you can cut down the amount that you feed your dog without them feeling starved.

3) Muscle Building. Slimmin’ Tonic will increase the rate of muscle development when your dog exercises.  The more muscle that your dog has the more calories are needed to make the muscle move and function. This is the reason why body builders can consume so many calories without adding fat to their bodies. In addition more muscle means that your dog can be more active and do more exercise, therefore burn more calories.