Is Your Dog Fat?
Tips for Controlling Your Dog's Weight
According to Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, a veterinarian associated with the American Veterinary Medical Association, people will often make excuses for their obese dog by saying they are big boned or fluffy. Fitzgerald goes on to say that obesity in dogs is much more than a cosmetic problem. "Sixty percent of people in America are overweight so this phenomenon is filtering down to our pets."
So What Health Problems Can Occur if Your Dog is Overweight?
- Arthritis
- Cardiovascular problems
- Constipation
- Diabetes
- Fatty liver disease
- Hypertension
- Increased risk while under anesthesia
- Reduced life span
- Reproductive problems (e.g. a female dog/bitch cannot push when it is time to give birth to her puppies because she has no muscles or strength)
- Respiratory issues
So What Can be Done to Prevent and Treat Obesity in Dogs?
As with humans there is no magical quick fix. The key to losing weight is to reduce caloric intake and increase activity level. Owners need to be responsible by providing good quality nutrition for their dog in addition to taking their dog for a daily walk.
Dog nutrition has improved over the years so there is no reason not to feed your dog a healthy diet. Premium dog food brands like Wellness are now easier to find than ever. If your dog is obese, consider putting your dog on a low-grain or no-grain diet, and feed your dog healthy treats like carrots instead of high fat biscuits.
If you are the owner of an obese dog and you do not have the time to walk your dog, hire a pet sitter, enroll your dog in doggy daycare, or ask a friend or neighbor to take your dog for a walk. Exercise is also essential for your dog's mind. Dogs need to be intellectually stimulated just like humans, and going for a walk is a great way to do that. He can sniff to his heart's content, interact with other dogs, and of course, run around (or waddle until he loses weight).
*Please Note: This article was previously published by Bobbi Leder on the Houston Dogs Examiner website.
Published by Bobbi Leder
Bobbi Leder is the author of the picture book, THE SECRET POLICE DOG. Leder has been published with a variety of print and web-based magazines, websites, anthologies, and newspapers. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentGee, obesity isn't just for humans, is it? Great - sad - report.
Great tips, dogs too need to be slim,good picture,thanks
The dog in that picture has been too well looked after, it is a good example of obesity in dogs. Great informative article for this harrowing subject.
I feel so sorry for the dog in the pic. He looks like he will need help to stand!