Like humans, dogs have a metabolism determined by their age, activity level, and genetics. The metabolic process is quite complex, but a slower metabolism can lead to extensive weight gain, which will affect your pup’s overall quality of life. To ensure your furry friend lives a long life with few or no diseases, try these 8 metabolism-boosting tricks.
8 Ways to Improve Your Pup’s Metabolism
A dog’s metabolic rate is affected by many of the same things that influence a human’s metabolism, so if you want to lose weight along with your pup, do the following.
1. Consume CBD Oil
CBD oil for dogs may aid in weight loss because one of the two cannabinoids, CB1, attaches to fatty tissue. Dogs with more fatty tissue feel these effects more strongly, but thinner dogs will also experience a reduced appetite and a reduced risk of metabolic disorders. CBC may also turn bad fat into good fat in obese pups, but more research is needed to confirm.
2. Eat Foods Containing Lots of Protein
Protein causes the largest rise in the thermic effect of food, which is the number of calories the body needs to digest food. Don’t go overboard with the amount of meat you feed your pup, as that could contribute to heart disease.
Dogs can actually be vegans and don’t need an excessive amount of meat, so try to add more plant-based sources, like beans, to their diet.
3. Drink More Cold Filtered Water
Dogs should specifically be drinking water, no exceptions. While it’s true that dogs won’t be consuming extra calories from liquid, they can still benefit from an unlimited water source that cycles the water and keeps it cold.
Either purchase your pup a water fountain or make sure you replace your dog’s water bowl every few hours to ensure they’re only drinking it cold.
4. Exercise Frequently with Your Pup
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the best way to burn energy, calories and quicken metabolism for both dogs and humans. If your dog isn’t used to these workouts, speak to your vet first and start off slow, or you may turn them off from working out altogether.
A great HIIT workout for your pet can include them chasing you, playing fetch, or tug-of-war.
5. Try to Stand Up More
You and your pup may have mobility issues, but sitting too much is bad for your health. Long periods of sitting burn fewer calories, which can lead to gaining weight. If you teach your dog to stand for long stretches at a time, they will get used to being in that position.
Humans and dogs can lose 50-170 pounds from standing for 3 hours straight instead of sitting.
6. Get Enough Sleep
A lack of sleep can increase the risk of obesity because you’re more likely to search for energy elsewhere. When your dog is tired, they’ll likely beg for food more, so it’s essential to find them a place where they can get 7-13 hours per sleep a night.
The amount they need is dependent on their age and breed. Regardless, buy them a comfortable bed and/or blanket to sleep on.
7. Check for Diseases or Medications That Affect Metabolism
Five medications are known for stimulating your dog’s appetite: anabolic steroids, glucocorticoids, cyproheptadine, mirtazapine, and megestrol acetate. If your dog is taking these medications to help them manage their disease, you will need to compensate for their increased appetite.Switching to lower-calorie foods or feeding your pup less kibble can help.
8. Reduce Food Intake
Although it’s the most obvious, yes, reducing your dog’s caloric intake will help with weight reduction, but it can’t affect their metabolism. In fact, dieting can slow down a dog’s metabolism.
That doesn’t mean you should give up; it just means you need to feed your pup less food to compensate for their overall weight gain. Talk to your vet about proper food intake for your dog.
Photo by Lucrezia Carnelos on Unsplash
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