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Obese Dogs
Obese dogs are unhealthy dogs! Learn about the different health risks of obesity in dogs and how herbs can be an effective dog weight loss
remedy.
OK. Your toy poodle will not ask you if she looks fat in her designer dress, but that doesn't mean you should dismiss dog obesity as something unimportant.
Overweight dogs can easily develop numerous health problems, and eventually they will live a shorter life span.
Like people in North America, more and more dogs are suffering from obesity. It has been reported that over 25% of dogs in North America are overweight.
This page looks at the following topics:
Please also visit our page on Weight Loss for Dogs for more information on other ways
to help obese dogs to lose weight, such as low fat dog food, beneficial supplements, and exercise.
How to Tell if a Dog is Obese?
There are several simple ways to determine if your dog is obese. For example, you can:
- Give your dog a "hug" and feel her ribs. You should be able to feel each individual rib with a slight layer of fat over them. If you have to
work at feeling those ribs or cannot feel them at all, it means your dog is obese. If, on the other hand, you can see the ribs, your dog may be too skinny.
- Feel the area over the base of your dog's tail. A slight layer of fat over the bones is good. If the bones are hard to find, she is overweight.
- Ask your dog to lie down. Then while standing, take a look at her from above. You should be able to see a "waist" behind her rib cage if
she is in the healthy weight range. If she does not have a waist, she is obese.
- Finally look at your dog from the side. The waist should again be visible as a "tuck" behind the rib cage area.
If her waist is the same as her chest, she is definitely overweight.
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Possible Causes of Canine Obesity
Lack of Exercise
Is your dog a couch potato? Just like people, a lack of exercise will lead to obesity in dogs. An active dog will naturally use more calories. Moreover, an active
dog is a happy dog and that makes her less likely to "binge" out of boredom or stress.
Improper Diet
Poor quality commercial foods and treats that contain too much fat, grain-based carbohydrates, and sugar as well as insufficient amounts of protein and vitamins will
also create obese dogs. Moreover, even if you are feeding your dog a high-quality dog diet, she can still put on weight if the type of food is inappropriate.
For example, a mostly inactive dog will easily put on weight if she is fed a high-energy dog food.
Age
Very young dogs (2 years or younger) and older dogs (over 7) are less likely to become obese. The most susceptible age range to develop obesity is between 2 to 6 years of
age.
Breed Predispositions
Some dog breeds are more prone to become obese. They include:
- Basset Hounds
- Beagles
- Cairn Terriers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Collies
- Dachshunds
- Labrador Retrievers
- Shelties
If your dog is one of the above breeds, you should watch her weight carefully.
Sluggish Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
If your dog suddenly puts on weight over a short period of time, she may be suffering from a more serious health problem such as
hypothyroidism. The defective or sluggish thyroid may not be healthy enough to speedily
process fat in the body. If you suspect your dog is suffering from hypothyroidism, or if you think your dog's weight gain is caused by a deeper underlying cause, consult a
veterinarian immediately.
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Health Risks to Obese Dogs
It is not hard to imagine that extra weight puts extra demands on virtually all the organs of a dog's body. The health risks to overweight dogs are serious and that's why
dog parents should be mindful of their dogs' weight and the possible risks to their dogs if they are obese.
Here are some common health risks to obese dogs:
- Sugar Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
Dogs suffering from obesity have elevated blood sugar level, therefore they require an increased level in insulin secretion. However, when requirements for insulin exceed the ability of
the body to produce insulin, diabetes mellitus develops. Prolonged over-demand of
insulin secretion can cause "overwork" in the cells in the pancreas (which produce insulin), resulting in their inability to produce adequate amount of insulin.
This again leads to diabetes.
- Arthritis and Joint Stiffness
About 25% of fat dogs develop arthritis and other serious joint complications. Because of
the extra weight that the joints have to carry, over time they can become damaged. Arthritis can develop and joint pain associated with
hip dysplasia can become more severe.
Obese dogs can also suffer from damage of certain ligaments in the knee. (Ligaments are strands of tissue that hold one bone in proximity to another bone in joints).
Extra tension on the joints as a result of obesity can actually strain or tear the ligaments in the knee, making the knee unstable. When this happens, surgery is
needed to repair the torn ligament.
- Heat Intolerance
Overweight dogs are more intolerant of the heat, because fat is an excellent insulator, which makes the body much less capable of regulating its body temperature. This
can cause lethargy and fatigue in an obese dog especially in the summer heat.
- Breathing and Lung Problems
The extra fat in overweight dogs can interfere with the proper functioning of the lungs - The extra fat in the chest area restricts lung expansion. The extra fat in the
abdomen pushes against the diaphragm, which also results in less space in the chest for the lungs to expand. However, obese dogs need more oxygen because of the increased
quantity of tissue in the body. All these put a heavy burden on the lungs and the result is serious particularly for obese dogs who may already have a respiratory
disease.
- High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Obese dogs tend to suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). The heart has to work harder in order to pump additional blood to the increased quantity of body
tissues. Over time, this can lead to congestive heart failure.
- Liver Problems
The liver is the organ where fat is stored. For obese dogs, it means that their livers have a build-up of fat, resulting in a condition called hepatic lipidosis, or
"fatty liver". This condition can result in decreased liver function.
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Herbal Remedies for Obese Dogs
As you can see, obese dogs face various health risks. If your dog is too pudgy, therefore, it is important to control and manage her weight through diet, supplements,
and exercise. Herbal remedies are also helpful in regulating and supporting various important organs that can be affected by the extra fat and weight.
Here are some useful herbs to consider:
Kelp (Fucus vesiculosus)
Kelp is antihypothyroid, and is rich in vitamins A, B, C and D, as well as minerals (such as iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc). Using kelp as a supplement can help restore
a healthy metabolism in dogs.
Dandelion
Dandelion is a general stimulant for the liver and urinary system. It helps to detoxify the body and get rid of excess fats and chemicals. In addition, dandelion is
rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B complex, as well as useful chemicals such as potassium,
calcium and iron.
Milk thistle
Another effective herb to combat dog obesity is milk thistle. Like dandelion, it also detoxifies the body by removing excess fats and chemicals, thereby restoring a healthy
metabolism in dogs.
An Herbal Formula for Obese Dogs
PetAlive SlenderPet
This herbal formula contains the above-mentioned herbs (kelp, dandelion, milk thistle) and is effective in aiding weight loss in dogs.
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Related Topic
Weight Loss for Dogs
References
R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000).
Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005).
M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999).
A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999).
PetEducation.com
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