According to the Small Animal Veterinary Congresss as many as 40% of our pets may be obese. Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiorespiratory distress. The cost of caring for these chronic diseases ranges from $1000 per year for diabetic maintenance to over $2500 for a hip replacement, and these costs are on top of the average annual cost of $1000 to care for a healthy dog (American Animal Hospital Association). These increased costs place dogs at higher risk of abandonment, further flooding the all ready overflowing rescue organizations with animals who are not as adoptable as a young healthy puppies.

We know how to prevent these chronic diseases in humans, we simply need to apply what we know to the canine model. At Canine Fitness Zone in Fort Collins, Colorado, dog owners learn how to help their dogs get in shape, and in turn, their fitness improves as well. During the Spring 2009 Flab to Fab Fitness Challenge dog participants lost an average of 5% of body weight in four weeks following a simple formula of diet management and exercise. The research shows that free feeding increases the risk of many diseases and the signs can be seen as early as puppyhood. The simpliest way to help your dog lose weight it is to fill their dish with a measured amount of food twice a day. If the dog is habituated to having food all day, put their measured serving in a kong or other toy so they have to work to get it. This will stimulate their brains and make them feel like they've had their fill.

Exercise is also an important component of weight loss. Before beginning an exericse program dogs should be screened by their veterinarians to rule out potential injuries that could be exacerbated with exercise. If the dog is healthy enough to exercise, beginning with a short fifteen minute walk and increasing by 10% weekly is a great way to start. If the dog is not healthy enough, they may need to be referred to a certified canine rehabilitation therapist (CCRT). Although the cost of canine rehab ranges from $50 to $150 per session, in the long run helping the dog lose weight will far out weight the cost of potentially painful and costly surgery.

For further information about weight loss and fitness programs visit www.caninefitnesszone.com.