Obesity in dogs – Causes, effects and tips for maintaining an optimal weight

You all know that meme where a dog “says” he’s not fat, he’s just fluffy, right? Indeed, some of them are even right because the feeling of a “fat” dog is given by the breed and the abundance of fur. But unfortunately, There are more and more cases of dogs suffering from excessive weight gain or, even worse, obesity. And as adorable as these little quadrupeds are, each owner must be aware of the importance of maintaining the optimal weight of their dog, depending on the breed and lifestyle.

Furthermore, to have a long life and be able to give infinite love, it is extremely important to pay attention to the number of kilograms. As with humans, the effects of obesity are far-reaching and contribute to a number of other conditions that can even be life-threatening.

To avoid such situations, all dog parents must know the primary needs of their little furry friend, from the first days he crosses the threshold of their home, learn how to take care of him and what the right diet is for him, so that his body receives all the nutrients it needs, in the optimal quantity. Therefore, the main things to do to bring significant benefits to the dog’s overall quality of life are, as mentioned, particular attention to nutrition, free movement of the quadruped and play sessions with the owner, or the purchase of interactive toys to keep it active. And, last but not least, the periodic visit to the vet, so that he can confirm his state of health.

What is obesity?

Well, it’s a nutritional disease which is defined by a excess body fat being predominant in domestic animals. In general, the dogs most prone to obesity are those who are overfed and those who do not have the capacity or space/time to exercise every day. Although obesity can occur in dogs of all ages, the most exposed to this pathology are middle-aged dogs between 5 and 10 years, as well spayed/neutered dogs or those that only live indoors.

What are the effects of weight gain and what medical conditions are associated with obesity

Before we see what the effects of weight gain are, we need to know what they are symptoms of obesity in dogs The most common signs that a dog is overweight are:

• excess body fat;
• weight gain;
• high body condition score;
• reluctance or even inability to walk or run.

The main effects of weight gain are the risk of other conditions as well as state of discomfort of the quadruped, lack of energy, difficulty moving. We’ll discuss it a bit below. conditions associated with obesity. What are these?

According to studies it has been proven obesity significantly increases the risk of diabetes, cancer or heart disease. Moreover, it is said so Obesity can reduce a dog’s life expectancy by up to two years.

But the list of negative effects associated with obesity does not end here. Being overweight can also lead to an increased risk of joint problems and osteoarthritis conditions that worsen with the age of the quadruped and, obviously, with weight gain. Also, respiratory problems, risk of infections or contact with other diseases administered to reduce immunity and urinary stones are conditions associated with obesity.

How do you know if your dog is obese and what to do?

If you want to examine your dog for excessive weight gain before going to the vet for a consultation, you can follow the steps below:

• examine the quadruped’s ribs, just behind the shoulder blades. If these are not easily felt, individually, it could be a problem of extra pounds;
• scan the sides of the dog, right at the end of the rib cage where the lower back begins. There, for dogs of optimal weight, you should feel a clear indentation, similar to the shape of an hourglass.
• examine the dog’s abdomen. For optimal weight, the dog’s abdomen should not go down very much, ideally it should go up.
  

Despite having done these tests, if you have even the slightest suspicion that your four-legged friend has gained weight or is close to obesity, it is very important to go to the vet for a check-up. specialized consultancy . If he discovers that the quadruped is overweight, he will also be able to advise you the diet that the quadruped must follow, the daily caloric intake, the food program but also what changes need to be made in the lifestyle that the dog had up to that point. Therefore, dog food rich in fiber and protein but low in fat can be the first recommendation because dietary protein has the role of stimulating metabolism and energy consumption, also providing the feeling of satiety.

You have to know the fact Treatment for obesity in dogs focuses on gradual weight loss Why the treatment is long term . The purpose of such treatment is to reduce the quadruped’s caloric intake and increase the activity level.