Dogs can become overweight in the same way people do. Unfortunately, if canine obesity is left untreated, it can eventually lead to – or exacerbate – a number of health issues. For example, joints may deteriorate, especially if arthritis was already a problem. Digestive issues may worsen. Excess pressure might build around the canine’s heart and lungs.
There are many contributing factors, but most of them can be traced to one root cause: owners. With a few exceptions, a dog’s owner is ultimately responsible for the weight his pooch gains. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most common reasons for the extra pounds.
Too Much Food
Every pooch is different. Some are fussy about the foods given them and others will eat everything they see. Some can self-regulate their food intake while others will refuse to stop eating until their bowl is clean. This is the reason it’s important for owners to know their dogs’ tendencies, and build their meal plans around them.
If you’re planning to make food freely available to your pooch (i.e. he has free access to it), make sure he will self-regulate his intake. Otherwise, he will likely eat too much, a sure path toward obesity.
Lack Of Exercise
Some canines are active while others lead sedentary lives. Like people, an inactive dog is more likely to have a slower metabolism. This, in itself, is fine as long he eats an appropriate amount of food consistent with his daily caloric burn rate. Unfortunately, many owners allow their dogs to eat more than necessary despite their lack of activity. Making matters worse, an inactive pooch is likely to eat out of simple boredom.
Your canine needs a regular outlet for exercise. Take him for walks twice each day and modify his diet to provide the calories he needs – and little more.
Breed Susceptibility
Some breeds are predisposed to gaining extra weight. If you own a Labrador Retriever, Collie, or Beagle, pay attention to the amount of food he eats and make sure he receives plenty of exercise. If you own a Standard Poodle (a breed that rarely copes with obesity), it’s less an issue.
Growing Older
Here too, dogs are similar to people. As they grow older, their metabolism slows. This means they require fewer calories each day. The problem is, their learned eating habits drive them to consume more food than necessary given their activity level. Unless owners proactively reduce the size of their dogs’ meals, their canines risk gaining weight.
It’s also worth noting that old canines rarely deal with obesity. This may be due to their declining appetites during their last few years.
Spayed Or Neutered
A dog that has been spayed or neutered is more susceptible to gaining weight than one that is intact. This is due to a decline in metabolism. The canine requires fewer calories each day, which means he is more likely to gain weight if he continues to eat the same amount of food. This is rarely a problem as long as an owner reduces the size of the meals he provides his spayed or neutered pooch.
Stress And Related Issues
Environmental factors can also motivate a dog to eat too much, setting the stage for obesity. For example, stress is often a trigger. If the source of stress is removed, it is seldom an issue. However, in the event the source remains (e.g. a newborn is brought into the home), it can drive the canine to seek food he does not need.
Ultimately, owners are responsible for helping their dogs maintain a healthy weight. This comes from being vigilant over their food intake and providing an outlet for exercise. The benefit for owners is that a healthy dog will make a more pleasant, engaging companion.
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