Canine Obesity

Obesity is one of the most frequent nutritional disorders found in pets. Between 24 and 40% of our furry friends have this problem. Obesity is defined as weight in excess of 20% of the animal’s ideal weight. Obesity develops in animals with a routine and sedentary lifestyle. These dogs have access to tasty foods and sweets but the chow usually has a very high energy content. Since our dogs enjoy a privileged relationship with humans, we are inclined to overfeed them and to give them small treats between meals.

The underlying cause of obesity is an excessive intake of calories, beyond daily energy needs. These calories are then stored in the form of fat. There are a number of factors which contribute to this unbalance: the dog’s age, breed, sex, hormonal imbalances, external factors such as lifestyle, diet, and amount of food consumed. Obesity brings about respiratory difficulties, a weakening of immune defenses that block infections, diabetes, as well as heart, muscle, articulation, bone (the breaking of crossed ligaments, disjointed patella herniated disks), skin, and kidney problems.

It also exacerbates dysplasia. Obese dogs can sometimes show insulin resistance, meaning that treatment is less effective and the required dosage must be greater. From all of this we may conclude that obesity can shorten our pet’s life. If your dog is slightly overweight or obese, you should consult a veterinarian who will perform an evaluation to find the specific pathological causes of the condition.  The veterinarian will help you to get rid of the problem, by setting up a diet and counseling you regarding the lifestyle appropriate for your pet. It is helpful to make a nutrition control sheet showing the date, weight, type and quantity of the food.

With an easily controlable log of this kind you can follow your pet’s progress. Weigh the animal weekly at the same time each day to follow his progress. But do not worry or get bent out of shape if the weight loss does not occur overnight. Ask for advice from your veterinarian about which feed is correct for your pet. The food choice will be based on the animal’s breed, age, physical activity, etc. When your dog has returned to his ideal weight, continue tracking his weight and ask for advice from your veterinarian regarding which dog food is right once your pet has reached ideal weight so that your dog can stay at this weight.

Always remember that it is easier for dogs to gain weight than it is for them to lose it. That is why you should not get impatient if results are slow or difficult. Just remember that it is never too late to attack the extra weight your animal is carrying. Patience and determination are the key to weight loss.