Obesity in dogs has become alarmingly popular in recent years, and although an overweight dog may look funny or cute, the effects can be quite serious. For instance, an overweight dog, even mildly obese, can have many health problems, including breathing issues as well as problems with joints, muscles, and even the digestive organs. Remember, an obese dog can be more at risk for cancers and even shorten their lifespan, so it is important to keep your dog at a normal weight throughout his life.
Causes Of Obesity in Dogs
An obese dog is most commonly caused by excess food intake, predominantly a dog taking in more food than his body can use in everyday activities. That is why weight management is crucial in maintaining a healthy dog condition. Feeding a dog the correct amount of food for his breed and weight is paramount to preventing overweight. Moreover, this means keeping strictly to this eating routine and not giving him leftovers or extras just because he gives you those puppy eyes. Excess weight can also be a common result of your dog getting older due to less activity, so he burns fewer calories. This can be corrected by altering his diet accordingly.
Additionally, pet obesity may be due to medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, neutering, hyperadrenocorticism, insulinoma, and more, so it is important to keep regular appointments with your vet or sign up for a weight loss program for pets. If it is a medical reason, there are steps you can take for that, too, because keeping him at his ideal weight means he will be around for a lot longer for you to enjoy. To combat this, diet and exercise are the two most important components of keeping an obese dog’s weight down.
Effective Treatment for Obesity in Dogs
Your vet will be able to show you how to easily, in most cases, control your obese dog’s intake by altering his diet. Diet is usually changed to a higher protein diet and less fat. Remember, portion size will play a big part in his diet change. By feeding a high protein and fiber diet, your dog will feel full for longer and have more energy, increasing his willingness to exercise because exercise and diet will be key in keeping an obese dog at his ideal weight.