Obesity is not just an issue with humans, it can affect your Shih Tzu as well. All dogs need love, but many Shih Tzu owners will express that love by overfeeding them. Not treating canine obesity from the onset may mean your Shih Tzu will face a number of health issues which may include the following.
- Arthritis
- Breathing Issues
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Shorted Lifespan
Small dogs such as Shih Tzus may be more vulnerable to weight gain because of their naturally small size. Just a couple of extra pounds may cause breathing issues to occur. While Shih Tzus are not a breed that is vulnerable to putting on extra pounds, it can happen which is why you need to be careful. However, there are simple things you can do to help your Shih Tzu stay at a healthy weight.
Lean to Fat Ratio
Called the Body Condition Score or BCS, this is the ratio of lean body mass which is muscle and bone compared to the fat body mass which is the excess weight. The BCS will let you know if your Shih Tzu needs to lose or gain weight. Exercise can be a part of helping them gain more lean body mass.
Watch What They Eat
Dog food that is high in calories is likely to pack on the extra weight unless your Shih Tzu is really active. For your Shih Tzu, you should look carefully at what they eat and try to balance standard dog food with some kibble that is low in calories or canned food. Combined with exercise and you can help them maintain a healthy weight.
Appropriate Portions
Counting calories when you are on a diet is bad enough, but you will have to do the same for your Shih Tzu. The good news is that you can measure out what they need every day and place it in a separate container. Do not feed them more than what is in that container each day. The label on the dog food will give you an idea of the portion size and how much they can eat each day.
Be sure to weigh your Shih Tzu to see if they go up or down significantly in weight. This will help you with adjusting the portions to the right amount.
Snacks
Everyone loves snacks and that includes your Shih Tzu. Keep the snacks low in calories and only feed them a little when they have done something praiseworthy. Or when you feel like praising them. In any case, try to provide just enough snacks to keep them satisfied without adding on the extra pounds.
If your Shih Tzu is overweight, do not panic unless they are morbidly obese. Remember that losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint. Start by identifying the issue which is causing them to gain extra weight and adjust slowly over time. A combination of reducing their portions gradually along with getting more exercise can help reduce the weight and create a happier, healthier Shih Tzu.