Fluff Or Fat?
Dogs are just cuddly, adorable, and cute especially when they are fat. Because of this, some pet owners don’t take overweight and obesity too seriously. After all, if your dog looks happy and even “healthy,” then everything should be fine, right?
We do hope that’s the case, but it’s not. If you look at your dog and have already asked yourself, “Is it okay if my dog is fat?”, then it is more likely that your dog is fat and you’re concerned about his health.
To give you a quick and short response to your question, the answer is no. It is not okay that your dog is fat. Here are some reasons.
Your Dog Is At Risk Of Developing Numerous Health Problems
The number one reason you should not let your dog become overweight is for health reasons. Like humans, we are discouraged to become overweight and obese. The same is with our dogs.
Overweight canines are at risk of developing the following problems:
- Arthritis
- Joint injuries
- Heart problems
- Lung problems
- Lipomas
- Breast and bladder cancer
- Diabetes
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Skin problems
Complications During Surgical Procedures With Anesthesia
If your dog needs to get operated and anesthesia is involved, there’s a greater risk that your four-legged friend develops complications and even suffers death.
Remember that being overweight alone puts a lot of strain on the heart and lungs. This problem is exacerbated when your dog is put under anesthesia. Since anesthesia can depress the heart and lungs, these organs will then have a harder time functioning during an anesthetic procedure.
Moreover, it is more difficult to operate on a fat dog. It is challenging for a doctor to look and find what he is looking for during the operation. For example, abdominal surgery is made tougher when there are more layers of fat to cut through. This makes the procedure longer.
Decreased Immune System
The immune system is important in resisting and combating infections. For overweight dogs, they are at higher risk to get infected by salmonella and canine distemper.
Shorter Lifespan
According to studies, obesity can take up to two years off the life of your beloved furry friend. That’s something you don’t want to happen if you want to spend more time with your dog.
Poor Quality Of Life
It’s not just the length of your dog’s life that is affected, but also his quality of life. Overweight dogs are slow to get up. They tend not to run and play more because of the excess weight they need to carry. They can easily get tired and worn out.
From Fat To Lean
There’s no secret to losing weight. All you need to do is eat less and exercise more. However, for many pet owners and even dogs, it’s easier said than done.
The key here is to have a structured and well-thought-out balanced dietary program in conjunction with enough exercise. In this case, you would need the help of a qualified vet who can help you develop a weight loss program.
It’s not too late for your fat dog. You can always do something to bring him back to his ideal weight and therefore, give him a longer and more fulfilling life!
