The Health Risks of Canine Obesity

We’re going to devote this article to talking about the problems that obesity can cause in dogs, and how to keep it in check. But, how can we define canine obesity?

Obesity is an excess of weight, caused by a surplus of body fat. It’s the result of a poor diet and can cause heart disease, diabetes, and joint abnormalities and arthritis. In addition, it could induce choking during walking or exercising. Not to forget how it would also lead to a sedentary lifestyle with limited mobility.

Obesity in a dog can be measured just like in people. An animal is obese when their weight is above 20% of their ideal weight.

Canine obesity and respiratory problems

One of the first problems an obese dog will have is difficulty breathing. The fat accumulated in the abdomen presses against the diaphragm and will impair its performance.

Furthermore, the heart struggles to pump blood and to distribute it to the parts of the body which are outside its normal dimensions. Consequently, it increases the cardiac pressure, and, therefore, the risk of heart attack and chest pain.

If an obese dog should undergo a surgical operation, their excess weight can be a risk factor that will decrease their chances of survival. Additionally, there are also instances of sterility and serious problems in childbirth in the case of bitches.

Walking disabilities

Canine obesity causes problems in muscles and joints, as they must carry more weight than usual. Therefore, this can cause tears of meniscus, tendinitis, arthritis and a host of other problems. These will all make it difficult for your dog to have a quality life.

Subsequently, obesity also wreaks havoc on the bones, which can break and even impair the animal from walking.

Consequently, if obesity is not prevented or slowed down, your pet will have a much shorter life expectancy.

Obie and his willpower

Maybe you know that your dog is obese and you’re scared to read about all of the problems that being overweight can cause him. Don’t worry, there’s a solution!

This canine’s weight reached such a degree that his belly was almost lower than his legs. His legs were already short enough as he’s a dachshund! Soon Obie would have been rolling.

One day, a friend of the family realized that this situation had to stop. He took Obie to a specialist who prescribed him a healthy diet. In addition to that he gave him a good schedule of exercises that would make him drop 50 pounds.

Afterward, he underwent an operation to remove the excess skin, and Obie continued his life as a healthy, happier dog.

Sometimes the ignorance of wanting to give our pets everything they want causes them to gradually grow fat until, without realizing it, they’re obese.

So please, monitor your furry friend’s diet and provide them with plenty of opportunities to exercise so that their weight is optimal.

Remember that your pet’s well-being depends on you, as well as their life.