Diamond Paws

Obesity in Dogs

(Article used with permission from Karen at Kittycatfurballs. All copyrights belong to her. Please see our links page to visit her web site)

How to recognize and manage obesity in your dog

Are you concerned your pet is getting a bit large, in all the wrong places? There are several reasons for this and you should take action right away because this is very unhealthy for your pet!

Knowing how to keep your pets body in good condition from the start is most important. If you don't, your pet risks having health problems involving their cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems. About 1 in 4 dogs are overweight and caused by their owner!

If your pet is about 20% or more over ideal body weight, consider them obese and unhealthy. They are consuming more calories than they can burn off. Obesity can be caused by the wrong diet, genetic predisposition or hormonal problem. Preventing excessive weight gain is the best approach to weight control in pets. It is much more difficult to achieve weight loss once the animal has gained the extra pounds.

First, check your pets diet. Are you feeding her unhealthy food? Have you ever read the ingredients? Are you feeding lots of treats or table scraps to your beloved furball? While your pooch may love you for it, this is not the way to show them your love. You need to stop feeding so many calories to your loved one. Consider switching to a low-calorie "healthy" pet food. These products are typically lower in fat and higher in fiber. This allows the owner to continue to serve a nice-sized portion while reducing the number of calories the pet actually receives.

Another problem could be exercise. Does you dog lie around all day? Do "you" lie around all day. If you answered yes to either one, you need to get your pet exercising more. Play with your dog. Go outside and get him running, or playing ball. Get his body moving! If she has been a couch potato for a long time, you need to go at a slow pace and gradually increase the amount of exercise. Take him for a walk, but don't forget to clean up after him should she leave any land mines!

Certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to obesity than others including beagles, basset hounds, dachshunds and Labrador retrievers. While some breeds of dog may gain more easily, it does not mean an animal must become overweight. Maintaining a healthy body weight requires more careful attention to the amount of food and exercise the pet receives.

Diseases which impact hormone balances in pets may contribute to the development of obesity. These include thyroid or pituitary gland dysfunction. Have a visit to your veterinarian to help determine if these could be factors.

Castration and spaying also alter the hormonal balance of pets, sometimes causing reduced activity and changes in metabolism. These factors can contribute to obesity and increase the need for carefully controlling food intake and increasing exercise in neutered pets.

If you love your pet, do your homework and find the best food for them. That could be the sole problem! Not all veterinarians know about what's in some of these pet foods labeled "nutritious" that they stock on their shelves. You'd be surprised at what's in some of these well known name brands! Read the labels yourself and question what each one is! Remember, stay away from byproducts and fillers! Your pet will love you longer for it!

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