Local pet supply shops offer help for paunchy pooches

While they'll never ask, "Do I look fat in this dog sweater?" about 60 percent of dogs in the United States should probably take a closer look at their reflection in the bottom of the food bowl. A recent study by Purina Pet Food found that six out of 10 dogs in this country are overweight. And despite our reputation as a fit city, Seattle is no exception for pets living life large.

Overweight dogs are at risk for the same kinds of health problems as overweight humans, such as diabetes, joint damage, heart disease and high blood pressure. The good news is that, just like with humans, a balanced diet and lots of exercise can help turn things around. Here are a few local solutions to help stop your pooch from expanding.

Improve your dog's diet
Staff members at local pet-supply chain Mud Bay suggest a diet of canned food, most of which is 78 percent water, which helps hefty dogs feel fuller than when they are eating dry kibble. Canidae is just one brand available at Mud Bay that has a special Platinum formula for senior and overweight dogs.

If you're going to switch food, do so gradually. "Most dogs are jazzed about the canned food," says Tom Gibbons, research knowledge manager at Mud Bay. "But you'll definitely see a lot of digestive pyrotechnics if you just switch them immediately."

Melanie Wells of Pet Elements in West Seattle saw a remarkable change in doggie customers who went on a "grain-free diet." She was shocked when two of the fattest dogs she had ever seen hobbled into her store with a concerned owner in tow. After a year on Natura's Evo grain-free food, one dog lost 10 pounds and the other lost 12.

"It really does the trick," Wells says. She also recommends trying a high-protein, low-carb diet of any sort, especially for cats. "Sometimes we call that the "cat-kins diet," she says.

Of course, your vet is your best source of advice for all matters related to your pet's health, so be sure to check with her if you have questions or concerns before you make changes to your dog's diet.

Reward your dog with healthy treats
Many dogs are overweight because they are given a constant stream of snacks, many of which pack a huge number of calories. Mud Bay employees recommend low-fat treats, such as Dogswell freeze-dried chicken or salmon, which contains only around 1 percent fat.

Mud Bay's Gibbons suggests replacing high-calorie treats with a measured amount of dog kibble, apple slices or carrots. Giving a dog an especially fatty treat won't make them love you any more than they would with a low-calorie biscuit, so owners need to think about what they are feeding when that tail starts to wag. "Giving treats is almost always more about the connection with the animal than about the food," Gibbons says.

If you prefer to buy homemade treats from a dog bakery such as downtown's Three Dog Bakery, skip the "terrier-misu" and frosting-covered "boxer brownies" in favor of the carob-coated "peppermint patty" ($1.25 per cookie). "Carob has relatively few calories and is also good for dogs that have digestive issues," says store manager Jess Mooney. She also suggests sticking with the low-fat apple-oatmeal cookies instead of the peanut-butter treats.

Hire a running partner
Dogs are allowed inside most shops at University Village, making it a popular hangout for canines and their people. Now dogs in need of exercise have an even better reason to frequent the outdoor mall. Local company Jogs for Dogs offers hour-long runs each night at 6 p.m. The $19 trip takes dogs of all fitness levels on a safe jaunt along the Burke-Gilman Trail, through Laurelhurst and down the grassy paths near Husky Stadium.

Owner Brendan Fahey started taking other people's dogs out for runs when he was a University of Washington student. He now employs 16 runners who take each dog out individually. "With very obese dogs we have to be careful of joints and knees," Fahey says. "We run through parks as much as we can."

Humans sign up their dogs in advance at www.jogsfordogs.com, and the dogs and runners meet at the Buster & Sullivan shop next to the "Fat Dog?" sign, freeing their owners to engage in dog-free shopping, or dinner at one of the mall's restaurants. (Just don't let your dog know that you ordered the fettuccine Alfredo as he munches on another low-cal biscuit.)

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