Is your Cute Dog becoming a Fat Dog?

Statistics show that overweight is a malaise that is increasingly affecting not just the Americans but also their pets. Over 50 percent of the canine and feline pets in America are overweight and their numbers are on the rise. These additional pounds on the pets are leading to serious and expensive health conditions. In most American homes pets are loved as much as the kids. So these complications cause both emotional and financial stress.

Most people are aware that obese people are prone to heart attacks and diabetes. What is not very well known is that obesity may not only lead to these diseases in pets but cause arthritis and related problems especially in fat dogs.

Fat dogs also cause fat bills. Some popular dog breeds like German shepherds, Yorkshire terriers, Rottweilers and Labradors are genetically prone to hip dysplasia but for fat dogs the onset of the complications happens sooner and with greater severity.

Before long your fat dog can neither get about nor can be lifted to be taken to the vet. There comes a time that you may have to be cruel to be kind and put your dog to sleep.

Your fat dog may look cherubic to you. Yet most vets would see it as only problematic situation leading to misery and unexpected death. In fact you might soon start sensing it too. You may find your fat dog starting to have a matted coat and a smell that may progressively become unbearable. You would then discover that your fat dog needs care.

The reasons are not far to seek. The general malaise that beset the pets is similar to their owners caused by too little exercise and too rich snacks or treats or scrapings from tables sandwiched amid mealtimes.

Yet your vet may find it just as difficult to broach the issue with you as your doc about your own overweight situation. Whenever that happens, do not get into a defensive mode. Do your best about getting your fat dog ship shape and that does not mean pounding the pavements with your already arthritic fat dog.

Talk instead to your vet and put your fat dog on a lean diet. Remember that dogs evolved as hunting packs and can do without meals for days. Yet to ensure your pet’s health take a slow and steady route in consultation with your vet.

Introduce an exercise regimen corresponding to the weight loss. It helps to talk also to other dog owners. In any case you should know that your dog ages much faster than you do. Prepare yourself mentally for an eventuality and do your best to make your pet’s old age a comfortable one.