Obese Dogs

Obese dogs are unhealthy dogs! This page looks at the possible causes of canine obesity, and the different health risks of obesity in dogs. It also looks at how to use natural remedies such as herbs to effectively facilitate weight loss in dogs.

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.

Like people in North America, more and more dogs are suffering from obesity. It has been reported that over 40% of dogs in North America are overweight.

Overweight dogs can easily develop numerous health problems, and eventually they will have a shorter life span. Some dog parents seem to think that a chubby puppy is cute and, if the puppy is healthy and looks good, they do not have to do anything about weight control. How wrong! Although puppies may look good and cute with a bit of fat, if they are allowed to continue to gain weight, they will have a lot of problems when they reach midlife.

If your puppy or adult dog is obese, read on! This page looks at the following topics:

How to Tell if a Dog is Obese?
Possible Causes of Canine Obesity
Health Risks to Overweight Dogs
Herbal Remedies for Obesity in Dogs

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

There are many possible causes of obesity in dogs - some are medical-related; some are lifestyle problems:

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. Even if your dog consumes large amounts of food, if the food does not contain sufficient nutrients, she will feel hungry at a "cellular" level. 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 a lot of stress on a dog's body, and every organ has to work harder. 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 higher blood sugar level, and as such a higher level of insulin is needed to be produced. However, diabetes mellitus develops when the body cannot produce as much insulin as required. Prolonged excessive 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. 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 some underlying respiratory issues.
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", which can lead to improper 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.