Obesity in Dogs can create serious health problems.
Excess weight is a serious health problem for dogs and cats and is common in many countries. The two main causes of obesity are too much food, poor quality food, poor digestion and too little exercise. Other contributing factors can be due to hormonal influences, certain genetic factors, and other disease processes.
If your pet is carrying extra weight, it can:
1. Increase the risk of heart disease by forcing the heart to work harder.
2. Increase the risk of arthritis as extra weight can stress the joints, cause joint pain, and make it harder for your pet to move around comfortably.
3. Obesity can cause breathing problems, skin and hair coat problems.
4. Especially in cats, obesity frequently leads to diabetes as well as megacolon.
All of these problems can make your pet uncomfortable and limit the way they interact with you and other family members.
Obesity in Dogs - Treatment Options
Treatment is to rule out and treat any medical causes, such as hypothyroidism. Reducing caloric intake, improving the quality (digestibility) of the food and increasing exercise can help your pet successfully lose weight. Considering the addition of supplements to help digestion and aid in excretion can aid in weight balance as well. Fat blocking agents and other medications are being developed for obese dogs that are not able to lose weight by other means. Lifestyle changes and a weight loss program are essential. Your veterinarian can help determine if your pet is too heavy and provide guidelines for achieving their ideal weight.
Read additional articles by Dr. Trish below:
- Choosing a breed of dog or cat
- Nutrition
- General care
- Choice of veterinary care
- Treatment choices
- Vaccines and Titers
Dr. Trish Kallenbach DVM, CVCP has been providing exceptional holistic veterinary care for nearly two decades, continually expanding her training and treatment knowledge. She is an active member of AVMA, AHVMA, and FVMA.