Obesity in Dogs

Introduction

Obesity in dogs is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the body, or an increase in weight, beyond that considered to be appropriate in relation to the dog’s age, gender, breed, height and bone structure. Obesity is one of the most common and important nutritional disorders of companion dogs – and of people - in the United States.

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Dog Obesity: An Overview

The signs of obesity can be subtle, especially to owners who don’t recognize their dogs’ gradual weight changes. Longhaired breeds make obesity even more difficult to identify. There is no uniformly-accepted medical way to measure whether a dog is or isn’t obese. Most veterinarians and owners assess their dog’s weight on a “look and feel” basis. Dogs are considered to be at their ideal weight if you can feel their ribs as individual solid structures,

Problems Associated With Dog Obesity

Obesity affects pets adversely in many ways. Overweight pets tend to play and exercise less and don't live as long as healthy pets do. In fact, the list of harmful effects of obesity on pets is a long one.Overweight pets have a lower resistance to infection and tend to be less able to fight off infectious diseases. Obese pets also have an increased incidence of arthritis (degenerative joint disease), spinal disc problems, and torn knee

Dog Weight Loss Diets

If you have a dog that is overweight, there are specific diets and weight loss recipes that can help your dog to lose weight. Before you begin any diet change, always ensure that your dog is getting all of the nutritional requirements he or she needs in the diet. Changes in the diet should also be implemented slowly over a period of time so that your dog’s digestive tract has time to get used to

Dog Weight Loss Programs

Weight loss programs for dogs need to be designed to fit the dog’s age, physical health, and amount of obesity. When these factors are used to design a weight loss program, a dog can lose the right amount of weight in a healthy manner.One of the most common mistakes pet owners make when they put their dogs on a weight loss program is to jump into an intensive exercise program that the dog is not