A Keto Diet for Dogs

   Did you know that a 2017 clinical survey showed that 56% of dogs were classified as obese? That means about 50.2 million dogs are considered overweight by their veterinarians. That is a big number to wrap your mind around. Why do we have so many overweight dogs? The same reason we have so many overweight people. Pre-packaged food, not getting enough exercise, and unhealthy snacking.

Courtesy of Pet Obesity Prevention.org

   I was thinking about this over the weekend when I told someone the story of a woman stopping her car to inform me that Bentley was fat. A million nasty defensive comments came to mind. I mean, who does something like that?! I don’t take criticism of my dogs very well but I simply told her that was the reason we were out walking. It was all I could do to not cry right there in the middle of the street. My feelings were crushed, I was angry, and I was forced to take a hard look at my boy. Sigh…he had gotten overweight gradually and I didn’t even realize it.

How My Dogs Lost Weight with Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl

   I have a confession to make to you. There was a time when Bentley was overweight. At the time I refused to see or admit it. I know how important it is for dogs to maintain a healthy size. Our vet would make comments; friends would say things and even total strangers felt the need to tell me that my best friend was fat. There was one lady that actually stopped her car when we were walking to tell me he was too big. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. I had to take off my rose-colored glasses and get serious about bringing my boy back to a healthy weight.