Is your dog packing on the pounds? How to test and what to do about it!

Is your dog overweight?

Statistics show that over 40% of dogs in the United States are overweight; however, the percentage of owners who think their dog is overweight is significantly lower than 40%.

Quick Tests

Here are two quick tests to determine whether your dog is carrying more weight than he or she should: When you run your hands along your dog's ribcage, can you feel his or her ribs? You should be able to clearly feel the ribs and be able to count the number as you move your hands along your dog's body. Secondly, run your hands along your dog's side, does he or she have a 'waist' - does the body tuck in before the hips? If there's a straight line from his hips to his shoulders, your dog is probably overweight.

What does your vet say?

Your veterinarian is the best place to check to see if your pet would benefit from weight loss. Your discussion with them will also help you to understand how to help a overweight dog lose weight. Be sure that your dog is also examined for any other medical conditions that could be causing weight gain.

If your vet feels that your dog is overweight, they will probably ask you a few questions regarding frequency of exercise, amount and type of food eaten and other foods given as treats. Be as honest as you can. Often times, there are others in the house that may be sneaking snacks. And don't forget that all of those treats each time the dog goes out add up and often aren't counted as "food".

Misconceptions regarding obesity.

1. Healthy dogs do not need to eat every day. Do not encourage your pet to eat if it isn’t interested. If you provide a good quality food and plenty of water, your pet will eat when it wants to.

2. Another common myth is that spaying or neutering causes obesity. The sugrical procedure may slightly slow the pet’s metabolism, as will normal aging. Remember, surgery doesn’t cause the weight gain, eating too much does and you control that.

3. Table scraps are ok in moderation. Besides possible allergies to "human" food, table scraps can be hard to monitor as to the quality or quantity.

How to help shed those pounds

If you have determined that your dog's weight problem is due to over feeding and not enough exercise, draw up a plan for feeding and exercising and stick to it consistently until he's lost the weight he needs to.

Like humans, it's better if the weight comes off slowly and adopting a healthier lifestyle is likely to be more successful than putting your dog on a crash diet and/or giving him some of the new weight loss medications that are now available.

And lets face it, most people could use a better diet and more exercise anyway. Why not make it a goal for both of you!

Your veterinarian will be able to help with you with how much food to feed your dog. Some vets do not recommend "Reduced Calorie" or "Light Diets"! These dog foods have low fat levels to reduce the calories but by necessity have increased the carbohydrate percentages. This increased carbohydrate stimulates additional Insulin secretion which tells the body to store unused calories as fat!

Get everyone involved.

Another important tip is to get everyone’s cooperation in restricting the pet’s intake. There is usually someone in the household who feels sorry for the dieting pet and usually gives in with that “I’m hungry” or “boy, does that look good” look. If they want to really help, it would be best to take the dog on a extra walk, or throw that ball around in the back yard.

Helping your dog lose weight is hard work - but it's worth it. Your dog’s energy level will be back to normal and it’s really better not to carry on those extra pounds.

And the February Pet Photo winner is...

Hello All,

A big congratulations goes out do my new friend Dee-O-Gee. She is our pet photo of the month. Dee-O-Gee belongs to Tracy of Wickliffe, Ohio. Tracy will receive an "I Love My Dog" candle. If you haven't sent in your pictures, you still have time to enter the March contest.


This is a picture of Dee-O-Gee. She is a 1 year old terrier mix and is a rescue from the Euclid Animal Pound. Tracy says that she is quite a handful with three others in the house as well.

Don't forget that our March special is still in effect at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/. Use coupon code "Ides" you will receive 15% off your total order. Better hurry, I can only offer this discount until March 31, 2009.

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido

PS Be sure and watch for my April newsletter around the 1st.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Hi again,

It's March! Can spring be close by?

With the warmer temperatures, comes the mud! I just hate waiting by the door to get my paws cleaned! But I guess it's the price to pay to enjoy being outside! Pretty soon flowers will start to emerge and birds will be singing with all their hearts! What a great time of year!

Some important March Dates

March 1st - Ohio became the 17th state in 1803

March 6th - Italian artist Michelangelo, born 1475

March 15th - Julius Caesar assassinated 44 B.C. (Ides of March)

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day! (Aren't we all Irish today?)

March 20th - Spring Begins (Yippee!!)

March 21st - Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer, born 1685.

March 29th - Cy Young, American baseball player, born 1867.

Most important! Did you know that March 23rd is considered National Puppy Day? So, if you know of anyone that has recently gotten a puppy, make sure you celebrate! Plus don't forget to send me a photo of that new puppy, I'd love to add him to my site!

In honor of the month of March, if you go to my website at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/ and use coupon code "Ides" you will receive 15% off your total order. Better hurry, I can only offer this discount until March 31, 2009.

Now for my joke of the month!

What do you call an Irish Setter with a lucky streak?

A four-leaf rover!

The Irish Setter is a great family dog. They will get along well with children, other dogs and any household pet. They are an active breed and require long daily walks and really enjoy running off lead in wide open spaces. However, they are a breed with a tendency to 'play deaf' so careful training is a must. Geez, mom never says I'm deaf... she just says "I'm not listening!" Maybe, just maybe, I'm part Irish Setter too, they are not the breed that will attack an intruder, unless you count on the intruder being licked to death!

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido

PS Don't forget about the special offer, it is good until March 31st, 2009! Use the word "Ides" in the coupon code box and receive 15% off of your total order!

PPS Be sure and watch for the winner of our pet photo contest around the 15th.

Puppy proofing your home - 17 tips to keep your new addition safe.

Did you know that March 23 is considered National Puppy Day? So, in honor of all those new puppies, I thought it would be fitting to talk about puppy proofing your home! It is just as important to puppy proof your home as you when a new baby arrives. Especially since they are moving around and chewing almost from day 1!

Living Room –

1. Tuck in electronic wires and cables the best you can. Spray the cables and wires with Bitter Apple to deter chewing or conceal them in hard plastic or rubber runners.

2. If there is a smoker in the house, make sure ashtrays and tobacco products are kept away from pups reach.

3. Keep shoes and toys away from puppies, they love to chew! A child’s bedroom and playroom should be off limits unless the pup is supervised.

4. Small objects are also a danger to pups. Swallowed small items such as coins, rubber bands, nails, screws, earrings and small toys can get lodged in your puppy’s digestive track. Many plants can be toxic if chewed too, so make sure small items and plants are kept out of reach.

5. Puppies can slip and fall down the stairs, make sure you use baby gates to keep that new puppy safe.

6. Keep candles out of reach of your puppy. Unlit candles can broken and lit candles especially cute ones like I help make at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/ are interesting with the fragrances and flickering candle light and can lead to burns or even worse to fires. It is always best to keep them out of reach of your puppy.

Bathroom –

7. Check at your puppy’s level for medications and cleaning supplies. Don’t store these items under the sink unless you install a child lock on the cabinets.

8. Keep that toilet seat down!

9. Put away hair dryers and curling irons. These items can be knocked down and accidentally turned on.

Kitchen –

10. Keep trash cans covered and behind closed doors if possible. Coffee grounds and spoiled foods can be hazardous to puppies.

11. Just like in the bathroom, keep cleaners and soaps away from puppy’s reach. Another childproof lock might be a good idea!

12. Store baking goods, especially chocolate and raisins on a high shelf.

13. Keep the dishwasher closed, dirty plates and utensils are temping for a puppy to taste.

Garage –

14. Antifreeze can taste sweet but is deadly. Keep bottles on a high shelf in the garage and frequently check your car for leaks.

15. Keep pesticides, fertilizers, batteries, cleaners, solvents, motor oil, and gasoline all way from your new pups reach.

Outside –

16. Don’t leave your puppy outside unattended. Check your fence for holes and keep an eye on him until he learns his boundaries.

17. A curious pup may fall into a poor or pond. Keep the pool or pond fenced off and consider getting a pool alarm that sounds if something falls into the water.

Everything is new and exciting to your new puppy, but not everything is safe.
You can reduce risks by creating a dog-friendly environment. Get down on the floor and look around at puppy eye level. See his world as he would see it to help make your pup's new home safe.

That's all I have for you this month. Remember to keep your pets safe! See you soon.

Fido