According to surveys, a standard poodle can live up to 12 years as long as it leads a healthy lifestyle. Owners should know that good nutrition, proper training, regular grooming, protection against disease, and proper exercise are what a Standard Poodle needs to live a healthy life. As part of being a responsible owner, you should also be aware of diseases and other health problems that could be causing your dog’s health to decline. While many poodles develop hip dysplasia or cancer, let’s not forget that obesity or being overweight is also rampant in standard poodles and other dog breeds in general.
Obesity is defined as a disease in which there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. A poodle that weighs more than 20% of its ideal body weight (45 to 70 pounds for standard poodles) is considered overweight. Obesity is a serious medical problem that can later put stress on the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints, increases the risk of surgery and injury, and can worsen osteoarthritis. In general, this can shorten the lifespan of your beloved family pet. Obesity can be the result of less or decreased physical activity, overeating, genetic disposition, and hormonal disorders.
A dog owner must learn to determine the signs of obesity to prevent the dog from becoming one. Observe and feel your dog’s body. The Poodle is considered to be of ideal weight if the ribs can be easily felt and there is a thin layer of fat over the ribs. An overweight dog has an increasing amount of fat over the ribs, while an obese dog has a lot of fat over the ribs, along the spine, and around the tail. A morbidly fat dog, on the other hand, has a protruding abdomen and fat all over the body.
The first step towards a healthy Standard Poodle is to assess the condition of the dog. A full veterinary exam should be done to determine if there is an underlying disease. Accurate measurement of body weight, recording of changes in body weight, blood cell count, serum profile, urinalysis, and assessment of the dog’s daily food intake and exercise are some of the few methods to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
There are many things that a dog owner can do to alleviate the problem. The amount of daily caloric intake must be controlled. This can be done by switching to diets designed for weight loss or by changing the daily amount of food. Read the labels of the food you buy and be careful with the fat and calorie content. Another important thing that should not be taken for granted is exercise. Long walks, gaming sessions, and other strenuous activities help burn fat and calories, thus keeping the body fit.
