Like most things in life, prevention is the best cure.Louis’ first trip to the vet, back when we lived in Chicago, included a lengthy warning by our doctor about maintaining an appropriate weight to avoid unessecary health problems.

By feeding a high quality, protein based food in appropriate portions, rather then a commercial pet food packed with carbohydrates, fillers and sugars; by substituting sugary treats made with chemicals treats that are protein based, you really can prevent your pet from suffering from a lifetime of unhappiness.As I have written in the past, when we choose to add a new member to the family, especially one who cannot speak up for himself, it is our responsibility to provide him with care, exercise, mental and physical stimulation and set him up for a healthy lifestyle.

It is our responsibility to research the best pet foods and find an option that fits your lifestyle, budget and pleases your dog’s palette. So many quality foods are out there, if you only take the time to look. If we work to prevent the need to start utilizing weight loss drugs on our pets, we can focus on the joy of a healthy, long term companion.

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Just like the issues overweight people must confront, pooches lugging around excess pounds means that almost every single organ in the body has to work overtime. The risks of our best friend being overweight are dire and every owner should be aware of them - especially since we are the ones in charge of their food intake and exercises!

Some common consequences of pet obesity include diabetes, increased wear and tear on joints, bones and muscles, resulting in serious damage, injury, arthritis and hip dysplasia, increased blood pressure and hypertension, leading to congestive heart failure, decreased liver function, digestive problems, decreased immune function, skin, coat and hair problems and an overall increased risk of cancer and overall shortening of lifespan with decreased quality of life.

This is what we pet owners are doing to our pets. By loving them with food, we are in effect, killing them. Saying ‘no’ when your pal is begging for the treats you used to regularly include in his diet is not cruel. It is lifesaving. In addition, there are plenty of pure protein, freeze dried plain meat options sold as treats that are satisfying and will not add on the pounds.

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I recently met a woman concerned about her adult Bijon Frise’s weight. We discussed the food brand she was using and the amount of exercise the pooch gets. She is feeding a high quality food and providing the dog with regular exercise. We continue to talk and she revealed that she throws some cheese on the dog’s breakfast and some chicken on top of her dinner.

She also gives many fatty treats whenever she leaves the house and shares her every meal with her dog. She told me she feels guilty if she doesn’t provide her dog with all the tidbits that make her tail wag. I suggest cutting out the extras - especially the cheese and possibly a grain free diet which would might help in a way similar to the Atkins diet. Toward the end of our conversation it was clear she didn’t want to change her dog’s diet or stop including extra treats. She just feels to guilty to stop.

Unfortunately, this is all too common. Overeating in dogs comes from feeding our dogs poor quality processed foods, feeding them large amounts of food, including fatty extras in their diet and feeding Fido out of guilt.

Our dogs learn all to quickly how to train us to give them any food that crosses the path of their sensitive noses. Food does not make up for a lack of attention. Any owner who cannot resist the allure of their dogs pleading gaze is contributing to their pet’s obesity and contributing to shortening Fluffy’s life.

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I love being a dog owner. I know plenty of other people who also love canine companionship more then words can express. It’s not that we mind our precious pooch’s constant desire for attention, it’s just that sometimes, while say, eating, reading, paying bills or participating in other activities that don’t involve the pup, the only way to achieve the quiet necessary to focus is to distract our pal with something tasty.

One teeny treat won’t do it, that buys a mere few seconds and most chews only last a short time, lack nutritional benefit or are a choking hazard. My darling Louis is a real chewer and can tear through a substantial chewing stick (fit for a 50 lb. dog) in thirty minutes or less. It’s actually impressive - though sometimes I feel a bit silly buying the extra large chewy stick with my little 10 pound Louis in tow.

Enter Antlerz. Antlerz, produced by QT Dog, LLC., of Dallas, Texas are a 100% natural dog chew made from naturally shed deer antlers gathered by ranchers during the natural yearly process in which deer shed their antlers. After being cut, cleaned and packaged, what’s left is the Antlerz brand dog chew. They hold up substantially longer then other chew products, don’t splinter and contain nothing artificial.

By the way, I thought it would be really cute to post about this product around Christmas time and make some tie between Christmas and reindeer and antlers or something, but I really wanted to see how this thingy actually held up. Well, six weeks in and Louis is still chewing on it. He returns to it each evening, attempting to make headway, slowly grinding away on it. Its not the least expensive chew on the market, but compare the price to what you spend on chews that last for a few hours, which are usually bought in multiples to maintain a supply to keep Fluffy happy. Its worth it.

Chewing is a natural canine behavior that serves to relieve anxiety, combat boredom and release energy. Puppies chew because they are teething. We can utilize this natural behavior when we need a little time out from canine parenthood. Even better when we can get that break by making our dog happy, save a buck and support a product that comes from a completely renewable source.

Keep on chewing!

Check out www.qtdog.com for more information.

Available at Louis favorite store in Miami!

The Dog Bar, Inc.

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I love dogs. I always have. If not for my desire to remain amongst the urban dwellers and venture to trendy restaurants and shops, discuss literature, art and the latest issue of Vogue with two legged friends, I might have settled on a stretch of land somewhere and lived in a small cottage kept dogs as my only companions. Of course, this fantasy would only work with high thread count sheets, modern plumbing and a renovated kitchen…But, returning to the subject, I have started this blog as an outlet to all of the research I have done since taking on a puppy about four and a half months ago. Cup of Dog is an exploration of all things canine.The object of my affection is Louis (as in Vuitton) Reginald. This 7 1/2 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has become my favorite part of each day. The joys of dog ownership outweigh all of the inconveniences. In effort to compensate Louis for the bliss he has added to my life, I strive to give him the best care possible. This has led to a journey through as many products and philosophies as one can read relating to the care of our canine companions.I look forward to continuing to sift through this mass of information and documenting this journey.

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