K9 obesity

Obesity in dogs is a mayor health treat! Many vets call this the most dangerous and common health treat anno 2021.

What is canine obesity and why is it so dangerous?

Definition: Obesity in pets occurs when excessive adipose tissue accumulates in the body, and is generally defined as occurring when an animal's body weight is at least 20% greater than its optimal body weight. Other symptoms can be lack of mobility, difficulty "heavy" breathing. 

This disease associated with decreased life span, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, difficulty breathing, difficulty grooming, increased risk of hyperthermia and increased risk of cancer. Simply said decreased quality of life.

Considering the health risks it is shocking to read that approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese. 

Want to know if your dog is overweight?  You can check it at home with this simple technique:

Example of tucked in waste

Look at your dog from the side. The waste should be tucked-in.

Feel under your dog’s tummy. Make sure you follow with your hand the ribcage, at the end there should be an upwards curve.

Touch along your dog’s side and back. You should be able to feel your dog’s spine, ribs and hipbones quite easily but they shouldn’t stick out.

Feel the base of your dog’s tail. There shouldn’t be any build-up of fat on the point where the tail meets the base of the body.

Many vets recommend to check the BCS (body condition score chart) or BFI (body fat index chart) although this is a good indicator keep in mind that each breed has it's own body structure. 

What could be the reasons that your dog is overweight?

Diet:

The Diet that doesn't fit with your dog's lifestyle. Too high calorie intake in comparison to daily low amount of activity or simply overfeeding. Veterinarians stated that owners most of the time are not aware that they are harming their pets with overfeeding. The most common misinterpretation is that when the dogs keep eating they are still hungry. 

Postoperative:

Neutered or sterilized dog's that keep getting the same type of diet as before the surgery. 

Breeds that are more prone to canine obesity:

- Labrador Retrievers

- Bulldogs and Pugs

-Basset hounds and Beagles 

-Dachshunds

More rare causes:

Medical cause: For example hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.  Some medications give also the side effect that the dog will developed more easily diabetes. Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant) is known for satiety leading to overeating and Glucocorticoids cause often abnormal fat deposition + weight gain. 

Luna's conclusion: Tell your pawrents to do often body condition check ups, ask advice to your vet/pet nutritionist, change diet if nescessary and most impawtent keep exercising! 

Paw Luna🐾