Many well-meaning pet owners don’t realize that their dog might be overweight. Surprisingly, most people can’t recognize that their pet’s health may be suffering due to overfeeding. In fact, obesity in dogs is surprisingly common. It is especially widespread in big families with young children where unhealthy treats and table scraps may flow more freely.
It is also widespread amongst inner-city pets living in apartments that perhaps aren’t being given the appropriate daily exercise.
Obesity in dogs happens when the dog’s energy intake exceeds its energy expenditure. It means that the likelihood of your dog developing a weight problem could be largely affected not only by how much they are eating.
It can also be related to the size and breed of the dog. Also, it is closely allied to the opportunities it is given (or lack of) to work off the energy instead of storing it as body fat.
If you are concerned about your dog’s health, keep reading to find out how to recognize if your dog is holding excess weight and why this could be happening.
You will also discover what the health risks are and how it could have an alarming impact on your dog’s life expectancy. Finally, we will discuss how to treat and prevent obesity in your dog.
Signs Of Obesity In Dogs
The weight, size, and shape of a healthy dog will vary from breed to breed. The shapes of dogs have evolved rapidly over the years due to selective breeding.
It is, therefore, becoming more and more difficult for pet owners to recognize what a healthy dog should actually look like.
Breeders want, for example, pugs to be short and stubby with lots of excess skin. It means that it becomes difficult for pug owners to know whether their dog is overweight or not.
Other dogs have a distinctively different shape and are slim and delicate like Italian Greyhounds. Many dog owners mistake this breed for being skinny and underweight.
In case you are worried that your dog is not a healthy weight for its size and breed, read a list of general guidelines below. It will help you recognize the potential warning signs of obesity in your dog.
Can you determine where your dog’s waist is?
In the first place, not all dog breeds are built in the same way. Some breeds have a much more pronounced waistline than others.
For example, it is very easy to see the waistline on a whippet. This is because it has an extremely deep chest and much smaller and higher hips. However, a Bichon Frise is a smaller and more naturally barrel-shaped dog, and also has a lot of fluffy fur that often disguises the shape of its body.
As a general rule, when standing, your dog’s abdomen should not be at the same level as the chest. Instead, it should be tucked up. If your dog has a distended abdomen, he is probably overweight or has some other health problem.
Another way to check is to look at your dog’s body from above – it shouldn’t be rounded at the sides, the sides of the body should go straight down.
Can you feel your dog’s ribcage?
Contrary to what many people may think, it is actually absolutely fine and healthy for a couple of the dog’s ribs to be visible underneath the skin.
It is especially true if the dog is short-haired, fit, and muscular. Visible ribs are not necessarily the sign of a dog being underweight, except for the ribs protruding quite drastically and the dog looking horribly emancipated.
You probably won’t be able to see your dog’s rib cage, but you should still be able to feel it underneath the skin. If you can’t, or it is difficult to feel your dog’s ribs, then he may be carrying excess body fat.
Is your dog’s mobility or breathing being affected?
A likely sign that your dog is suffering from obesity is that he is having noticeable difficulty moving around or breathing.
If your dog is short of breath, plodding along at a slower pace, or even refusing to walk or climb up and down steps, it is a warning sign. You may want to take him to the vet to be weighed and checked over.
Causes Of Obesity In Dogs
The most obvious cause of obesity in dogs is overfeeding, and this is very easily done. Despite carefully following the guidelines shown on food packaging, you might still be having problems with your dog’s weight, and this could be due to several different causes.
Poor Quality Dog Food
It can be difficult to stay in control of your dog’s weight if you don’t feed him high-quality dog food.
Many kibble-type dog foods that can be found in the supermarket or the pet shop contain filler ingredients. They can provide your dog with very little in terms of nutrition.
If your dog isn’t able to work off the extra energy he is consuming; then he is likely to be storing all of that excess on his body as fat.
Accidental Overfeeding
Often when measuring out the dog’s dinner, owners forget to take into account extra treats and food scraps given to the dog throughout the day.
These can quickly add up! It means that your dog could very well be consuming twice as many calories as you think he is. Keep an eye on how many meals you are feeding your dog throughout the day.
In case your dog’s meals are varied, make sure you know that he is getting an overall balanced diet. You should also take into account any extra treats and chews.
Your Dog’s Activity Levels
Dogs need daily exercise! However, many dog owners think that this means they should be let out into the back yard to do their own thing during the day. Or, for instance, taken around the block for ten or fifteen minutes to relieve themselves.
Proper exercise for most dogs consists of at least half an hour’s worth of brisk walking on the lead. Your pooch will also need plenty of games and off-leash fun in between to increase your dog’s exercise levels.
The amount of exercise your pet needs may depend on the size and breed of your dog. However, even small or older dogs that may not be able to walk long distances need to be taken out regularly and allowed to use their energy productively.
Your Dog’s Age And Genetic Disposition
As your dog gets older, their willingness to be active begins to decrease. Therefore, it can be more challenging to encourage your dog to exercise.
Up until about the age of five, it is unusual for dogs not to want to run around and enjoy themselves. In case you notice your dog slowing down after this age, it might be wise to keep an eye on his food intake and adjust accordingly.
Alternatively, you may have to find new and exciting ways to entice your dog to move about more. For example, you can sign your dog up for some agility or other dog training classes. They will help you on developing your bond and make sure that you are both getting the exercise you need.
Certain breeds of dogs are also more prone to weight gain. Henceforth, if you have a terrier breed, spaniel, beagle, Labrador or dachshund, this is something to be aware of.
The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
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Medical Reasons
If you have a female dog, you might notice her gain weight after being spayed. Likewise, this can also happen with a male dog that has been neutered.
This situation is perfectly normal due to decreased hormone production. It results in a decrease in energy expenditure and an increased appetite. You should adjust the diet accordingly to ensure that it doesn’t become a problem.
Similarly, dogs can gain weight after having operations due to not being as active as before as they need time to recover. Medications can also affect your dog’s metabolism and cause them to gain weight, as can certain diseases.
If you are worried about the potential medical causes of your dog’s weight gain, you should express your concerns to a qualified vet who can run the appropriate tests and put your mind at ease.
Obesity In Dogs: Health Risks
Carrying excess body weight can have a significant detrimental effect on your dog’s body and overall health. For this reason, your pet obesity shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If your pooch is getting fat, it may not be getting the nutritional content it needs for healthy growth and development. It is especially important if the dog is still young. Nutrient deficiencies can cause problems later on in your dog’s older years too.
As has been noted, even slight obesity can be as dangerous as reducing the lifespan of your beloved pet. Excess body weight puts pressure on your dog’s bones and joints, digestive organs, and breathing capabilities.
So if your dog is panting excessively for no good reason, there could be a reason for you to be worried. Problems in your dog’s diet can also lead to severe conditions. They can include diabetes, high blood pressure, cancers, heart disease, and more.
If your dog is already suffering from a medical condition, being overweight can exacerbate their symptoms and make things much worse.
Obesity In Dogs: Treatment
If you suspect that your dog is experiencing a weight problem, there is no need to panic. The first thing to do is to determine whether your dog is overweight or not.
Take your dog to the vet
If you cannot tell if your pooch is overweight, then you can take it to the vet to be weighed by a professional. He will be able to offer you advice on your pet’s diet and overall health.
If you can see at home that your dog is clearly overweight, the next step is to figure out why. Your vet will be able to rule out any medical issues that might be causing your dog to be overweight.
Secondly, work out how much you should be feeding your dog according to their size, breed, and activity levels.
Get your family to help
If you seem to be feeding your dog the correct amount, it can be other reasons why it is gaining weight. It might be wise to get the whole family on board to help. Ensure that your dog isn’t getting any sneaky titbits from anyone outside of his mealtimes.
Family members are notorious for slipping goodies under the table or sneaking an extra treat here and there. They might not realise the horrible effect it could be having on the dog’s health.
So make sure that everyone who has daily access to your dog, including your dog walker and neighbors, know how serious the problem is.
They should also know how worried you are and how hard you are working at trying to get your dog to a healthy weight. You can provide your friends with low fat or healthy treats like raw carrot and other veggies to offer to your pet.
Seek nutritionist help
If your dog is very obese, it would be wise to seek the help of a vet or pet nutritionist. He will help you to put your dog safely onto a diet that will work. It may involve changing the dog’s food brand, reducing meal portions, and finding ways to slow your dog’s eating habits down at mealtimes.
Also, there are special slow feeder bowls and kibble dispersers that can help with this task. Finally, you should offer your dog a mental and physical workout at the same time, helping it to feel more satiated after meals.
Obesity In Dogs: Prevention
The best treatment for obesity in dogs is, of course, prevention. First of all, make sure that you and your friends and family are well informed about your dog’s wellbeing. After that, you can work together to avoid future problems and ensure that your dog lives a long, happy, and healthy life.
Knowledge is power. Nowadays, it is so easy to educate our selves, with easy access to free and accurate information online. Get to know your dog.
First of all, understand the specific needs of your dog’s breed. Also, make sure that you satisfy all of his health needs by providing great physical and mental stimulation along with a healthy and natural diet.
Secondly, don’t forget good socialization of your pet. It includes lots of fun, and the good kind of love (not the kind that comes in the form of dog biscuits!)
Healthy diet
A good diet for your obese dog consists of high protein and low fat to produce optimal weight loss. You should control your dog’s meal portions and replace most of the treats with fresh greens and other veggies.
When you are trying to put your dog on a diet, it is important to make sure that it is still getting all of the vitamins and minerals it needs. This is why you should always consult a professional to assist you in planning your dog’s new diet for weight loss.
Regular exercise
A proper diet alone is not enough to maintain a healthy weight, though. Your dog also needs regular exercise. Leash walking for at least thirty minutes a day is essential. However, you can break this up into 10-minute sessions if required.
You should also provide your dog with the opportunity to run off-leash in an open space. Encourage them to chase a ball or Frisbee to make it more interactive and fun for your dog.
Having doggie playmates can also help to increase your dog’s activity. Namely, hiring a dog walker to allow your dog to join his pack a few times a week can make a big difference to your dog’s overall health and socialization. The other dogs will make sure to keep your dog on his toes.
More intense forms of exercise like jogging, running, cycling, or using a treadmill with your dog should be worked up to gradually. You want to avoid injuries and allow your dog’s fitness levels to adjust gradually.
If you have access to a pool, then swimming can also be an effective way for your dog to get proper exercise if he likes to be in the water.
Overweight Dogs Life Expectancy
It is a sad fact that some dog owners are not well informed about their dog’s wellbeing. In the end, is the dog that suffers the most. It has always been accepted that heavier dogs generally live shorter lives than dogs that are smaller and leaner.
Studies have shown that being even slightly overweight can impact your dog’s lifespan by knocking off up to an incredible two years.
It is essential to realize that obesity contributes to a host of health problems along the way. This could mean that your dog spends a huge portion of his life suffering. All because he was fed too much and not exercised enough.
Obesity in Dogs – To Summarise
After all, our dog’s health is essential. As has been noted, simple changes in the way that you provide for your dog can make all the difference.
In other words, you can add years onto your pet’s life. You can also save hundreds of pounds of vet bills that could be spent in better ways. For instance, it can be spent on better quality dog food and more pet-friendly holidays for you and your family to enjoy and make the most of your dog’s life together.
Every life is worth looking after. So if your dog is starting to look a bit on the podgy side, don’t turn a blind eye. Overall, it can make a big difference if you act now in solving your dog obesity problem.