Dog obesity is one of the fastest growing problems nowadays. If your dog is overweight its health could be seriously threatened. Obese dogs have difficulty walking and breading, and cannot tolerate a lot of exercise. Besides, obesity can be the cause of many other diseases. In worst case obesity can lead to a heart failure or even death.

Overweight dogs have usually a shorter life span than other dogs and are more prone to other diseases such as diabetes, hearth and breading problems and often have a weakened immune system. Obesity also causes joint problems and spinal trouble in dogs.

Often owners do not know that they have an overweight dog. Only when they take their dog to the veterinarian because of some other problems, the vet finds out that the dog is overweight.

How to properly feed your dog

In order the dog body to function properly, dogs need proteins, carbon hydrates, fats, water, vitamins and minerals which they can get in a balanced dog diet. Most of industrially prepared dog food is already balanced and dogs fed with that food do not need any nutritional supplements.

Bear in mind that nutritional needs of puppies, adult dogs, lactating dogs, working dogs and older dogs differ. Elder animals should be fed with less caloric meals, active and lactating dogs can have more caloric meals and nutrition supplements such as vitamins and minerals added to their food. Food should be adapted to the size and weight of the dog. If you give your dog more meals per day, the meals should be adjusted that all together match daily caloric needs of the dog.

In 95% the cause of obesity in dogs is inappropriate and excessive feeding

If the food that we give to our dog is not balanced and served in the right quantity, it can easily happen that our dog becomes overweight. Obesity is a health problem and in 95% the cause of obesity in dogs is inappropriate and excessive feeding. A dog can become obese if you give him too many treats, such as human cookies and chocolate which are not suitable foods for dogs at all. Do not give your dog treats if he does not want to eat any other food.

Furthermore, obese dogs usually do not have enough exercise and the older they get, less active they are and they can become overweight.

Some breeds are more prone to obesity problems than others. Obesity can also be result of some other illness, such as problems with pancreas, thyroid gland or adrenal gland.

How to find out if your dog is overweight?

The easiest way to check if your dog has optimal weight is to feel your dog all over the chest area.  If your dog has optimal weight you can easily feel his ribs but you cannot see them by the naked eye. If you see the ribs, then your dog is too thin. If you do not feel the ribs than your dog is probably overweight.

Treatment against dog obesity

Take your dog to the veterinarian where they will do a thorough veterinary examination in order to exclude other causes of dog’s overweight problems such as some other diseases.

If other diseases are excluded as a cause of obesity and your dog is obese because of excessive feeding, than prepare a weight loss program for your dog which includes proper nutrition and enough exercise:

Feed your dog with balanced and less caloric diet; give him less caloric meals and more fiber and water to make him feel full. Encourage and increase exercise; increase your dog's activity, more walks, exercise and training daily.