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Obesity in our canine friends is always a challenge as a veterinarian. The weight gain can be subtle to start, but as time goes on some of our pets quietly become overweight. Here in Georgia, it can be challenging to get our canine companions out to exercise in the summer due to the significant heat. However, now the hot days are less in number and we need to get our pups out for some daily exercise. We are lucky to live in Roswell, where there are numerous hiking trails and dog parks. Let strive as pet owners to get our pups out and about in the city of Roswell and shed some of the excessive weight that they carry around. It is not only healthier for the joints, but also proven to add years on to a dog's life. Here at Chattahoochee Animal clinic our doors are always open for monthly weight rechecks and any other avenue that can contribute to a healthy pup. Our goal is to assist in helping owners achieve success in the weight management of their pet. Nutritional consults are available by appointment at Chattahoochee and we carry a full line of veterinary weight loss diets to help aid in the weight reduction. So, come see us if you have any questions. Below is an excerpt from the New York Times:

Put down the bag of treats and get off the sofa: the same advice that is good for you is good for your dog, say those who treat obesity in pets. Besides common-sense wisdom about eating less and moving more, there are a number of strategies and practices to slim down dogs or keep them from gaining weight. But before starting a new diet and fitness program, a checkup is important, said Deborah E. Linder, a research assistant professor at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and head of its Obesity Clinic for Animals. Weight gain in a dog may be a symptom of a disease or an underlying problem like a low thyroid level.

Once you have the go-ahead, begin with what experts call a touch test: run your hand over your dog's ribs; the area should feel no more padded than the back of your hand, Dr. Linder said. Then weigh your pet. If your dog is small, use a baby scale or weigh yourself and your dog together, and do some subtraction. For larger breeds, ask to use your veterinarian's scale.

Exercise is vital to a pet and to any weight-loss program, said Cesar Millan, the dog trainer. Basically, anything "that makes a dog a dog is good exercise," Mr. Millan said. That means walking, running, swimming, herding, jumping in agility training, search-and-rescue work. The optimal amount and intensity of exercise depends on the age, breed and health of the dog; some are so overweight that short walks are the only option. And shorten exercise and increase access to water in hot weather.

Find out from your veterinarian how many calories your dog should consume every day and then contact the manufacturer of your dog food to determine its calorie content. An active adult Lab, for example, may consume 1,000 calories a day, Dr. Linder said, but no more than 10 percent of it should be treats. And some chew treats, she added, are 1,000 calories. Aim for a safe rate of weight loss, generally 1 to 2 percent of a dog's body weight per week. (The American College of Veterinary Nutrition has more advice and a list of certified nutritionists at acvn.org.)

And don't let pets appeal to your guilt to get you into overfeeding them. Dr. Linder suggested hiding some of your dog's daily food in toys, so nosing, poking or prodding is required to obtain it. She added, "Making them find some of their food exercises their mind and body."