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Small Wonders, Giant Leaps: The Ultimate Guide to The Impact of Size on Canine Health and Happiness
We’ve already explained the relationship between size and growth rate in ‘The S-Files: When Time Flies and Pigs Don’t’. But there are more reasons why we ask for the size when you fill out the form of the Canine Calory Counter, the key to our magic formula.
Let’s get going on a trip that will lead us from the tiniest of coffee-cup toy breeds to the tender titans. There are as many sizes in dogs as there are in humans, and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
We’ll find out which role science plays in the nutrition game, based on the science, and try to elevate your knowledge about our furry friends. The worst-case scenario is that you have some cool stuff to talk about after puppy class at your dog school or show off to your veterinarian.
The base of our formula is weight and activity level. Both of them combined are the foundation of the house. The other parameters will grant you a lavish amount of living space, a roof above your head, a swimming pool to enjoy yourself, and a garage to keep your car protected from the elements.
Maybe we went a bit overboard on the description, but we did provide you with the most accurate and updated formula in the field.
More body means more mass, more mass means more weight, that’s pretty straightforward, and the direct relationship between both. However, there is more to this picture than you would think at first glance.
The primary function of metabolism (the superpower to turn food into energy) is to maintain a stable core temperature. The generated energy will also take care of movement and other processes like digestion and breathing, but the main consumer is temperature.
Size and body heat are connected like bread and butter. More body equals more energy required to keep it warm. Try heating your bathroom and living room with the same device. This means you’d have to grab a coat for the living room or lose some clothes in the bathroom… which is probably going to happen anyway given the purpose of a bathroom.
Other factors also assist in the process called thermoregulation, or in normal language, keeping warm. Fur is also a crucial part and behavior such as curling up or looking around for a burning fireplace. Have you noticed your dog curling up or seeking warm spots during wintertime? Here’s why that might be.
One of our dogs probably didn’t grasp the concept as he would go lie down behind the sunroom door at 90°F. For him, it was a comfy place where no squirrel or neighbor’s cat was unseen.
Cooling down the body temperature is not regulated by the intake of energy but by panting and a minuscule amount of sweating through the cushions on the paws as well as exposing the least fur-covered part, the belly.
The main source to generate body heat, call it the boiler if you will, is the energy your furry friend harvests from his daily portion of kibble. That’s why we include it in our formula to calculate the amount of calories that is optimal for your pup to lose some pounds and why we avoid crash diets.
Once the body has reached its optimal temperature and has enough energy in the battery to maintain it for a reasonable amount of time, energy will go to other things. When also critical processes and movement have been dealt with, it will generate even more backup in the form of fatty tissue. That’s the part we want to avoid and prevent at Dogbesity.com.
Mobility is another part for which energy is required and we already stated in the introduction that it’s another one of the pillars of our fantastic formula for the Canine Calory Counter. Also here size is a big player in the game.
While we explain the activity levels in detail in our FREE EBOOK, we will address the correlation between mobility, movement, and nutrition in this part of the article. If you are still awake now, you’ll probably like the ebook as well.
Nutrition will generate the energy. Energy that can also be used to exercise. Exercise is a dirty word for an overweight dog as it involves physical activity other than begging, chewing, and swallowing treats.
For both the smallest in size as well as the largest specimen of the canine kingdom, this moving thing can be an issue. Exceptions taken out of consideration, there is a reason why border collies and malinois are popular for canine sports, and Boerboels and Bernese Mountain dogs don’t excel in flyball or canine frisbee.
Moving with a big-boned package is harder than a small and versatile, whereas jumping over a high obstacle can impede the smaller breeds. However, for every breed and size, there is a way to get that butt in action.
Let’s take the Newfoundlander, who is an agile and strong water rescue dog, but there the water will counter the impact of the body weight. Understanding your dog’s unique needs doesn’t stop at recognizing their size or breed; it also involves tailoring their care to match their individual lifestyle and health status.
For the pint-sized pup with a penchant for laziness, shorter, more frequent walks might be more beneficial than attempting longer treks they find daunting. Conversely, a gentle giant might thrive on leisurely hikes that allow them to stretch their legs without putting too much strain on their joints.
Moreover, the importance of mental stimulation alongside physical exercise cannot be overstated, especially for highly intelligent or working breeds. Incorporating puzzle feeders, training sessions, and interactive toys into your dog’s routine can help maintain a healthy weight by engaging their minds and bodies simultaneously.
Finally, remember that every dog is an individual, with likes, dislikes, and needs as unique as their personality. Our task at Dogbesity.com is to provide you with the tools to ensure that your furry friend leads a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life, regardless of their size.
I hope that you learned a thing or two from this article and that you now understand the importance of size when it comes to calculating the daily requirement to maintain or lose some weight.
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out the other articles in our blog section, or even better, become a part of the Dogbesity family which is striving for #MoreHealthyDogs.
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