Is Your Dog FAT… How Did That Happen?
Today we are going to tackle a very controversial subject that is near and dear to our hearts. This one will definitely raise some eyebrows. Is your dog fat? Obesity in dogs is dangerous and can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Increased blood pressure
- Osteoarthritis and other joint disorders
- Respiratory disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Reproductive issues
- Decreased mobility
We see a lot of dogs every week and a good portion of them are carrying too much weight. Whether they are chunky or obese, it’s dangerous to allow your dog to be overweight. Estimation is that 45% of dogs in Canada are overweight. We often hear of other industry professionals condoning the condition of overweight dogs. This makes it very difficult for people to identify whether their dogs need to lose a few pounds.
Dogs who are involved in sports are at a greater risk for injury if they are overweight. Overweight sport dogs are at a greater risk for soft-tissue damage, ligament strains or tears, and even ruptures. If you think in human terms, when was the last time you saw an overweight sprinter or tri-athlete?
