Is My Dog Overweight? How To Know

vet giving a dog a checkup

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight

We think that when we get a dog, we are just getting a pet. A cute little furry creature that will roam around the house to entertain us.

Summary:

– Certain factors determine if your dog is fit, fat or fluffy.

– Your tail-wagging friend can achieve a healthy weight.

– Dogs are more than just entertaining and cute, they can also help boost their owner’s health.

– These “man’s best friends” may actually have a good reason for earning that title.

– Animal experts offer NINE proven benefits of owning a dog.

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Dog Obesity

Is your dog fit or fat and overweight? These are the warning signs to look out for.

  1. Lack of energy (refusal to play games or go for walks)
  2. Excessive panting (shows signs of tiredness and struggles to do normal tasks)
  3. Mobility (need help moving around)
  4. Lethargy (ordinary activities require more effort; getting slower and lazier)
  5. Excess body fat (big rounded face, no apparent ribcage or waistline)

If your furry friends have any of these symptoms,  they may need help or seek medical attention. As always, it is recommended to consult your local veterinarian to check your dog’s weight and provide a proper diagnosis of your pet’s condition.

White american bulldog is eating corn on the grass

Why do dogs become overweight?

1. Overfeeding

It is a fact that dog owners simply adore their beloved pets and would do anything to keep them happy. As a result, dogs receive lots of love in the form of gifts, toys, and food. As dogs love to eat, they tend to eat when food is available. Hence, it is the dog owners’ responsibility to give the right amount of food at the right time. It is best to feed your dog at the same time every day to establish the routine for your pet.

2. Lack of exercise or stimulation

Generally, dogs require a daily exercise of 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Although, certain dog breeds tend to need more due to their active lifestyle. Like humans, exercise for dogs not only serves as physical fitness but is also beneficial for mental health and emotional well-being. If your dog is not getting enough exercise, it can lead to obesity as well as issues in terms of behavior.

3. Age

Dogs can get obese or become overweight at any age. However, as they get older, our tail-wagging friends have a higher chance of obesity than younger dogs. This is due to the fact that older dogs have a tendency to perform less exercise and burn fewer calories.

4. Health problems or genetical propensity

Along with age, diseases such as arthritis and hypothyroidism can also lead to weight gain. In addition, certain dog breeds such as terriers, dachshunds, and Labrador retrievers have an increased likelihood of getting obese due to their genetic makeup.

5. Owner unaware of dog’s health

Pet owners are responsible for their dog’s health and well-being.  In saying this, the weight of the pet is controlled by the pet owner as they are the provider of the dog’s needs. However, there are some instances wherein owners of animals are oblivious with regards to their dogs being overweight.

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Dogs are health boosters

It’s a given that dogs are cute and that they offer us so much entertainment with their silly and innocent acts every now and then.

However, while you smile and laugh at the smallest thing that your dog does in front of you, did you know that you are also boosting your immune system and fighting illness without you even knowing it?

Dogs are subtle but certain immune boosters!

The very fact that you own one can lead to better health, according to experts. So owning a dog can just be the BEST DECISION you could ever make in your life.

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To know the NINE PROVEN BENEFITS of owning a dog, read this article here – https://www.purina.com.