Obesity is one of the biggest risk factors affecting the health of your pet dog. Just like humans , obesity in dogs is caused by over eating. Often, this situation is triggered by some environmental factors that may lead to more problems when not controlled .

Dogs become susceptible to several serious health problems when they are obese – just like their human owners. If untreated these health problems can even cause death. Some of these side-effects include:

Arthritis

Obesity places more strains on bones and joints This eventually caused arthritis and other joint diseases. Other joint diseases include spinal disc disease , hip dysplasia and crack of the ligaments.

Diabetes

Diabetes is also a leading cause of death in modern canines. A common cause of diabetes is obesity. This is very common in dogs today. The more fat that is stored in a dogs body will result im more insulin being generated to cope. Dogs naturally have a tendency to resist the production of insulin in the body. This ultimately causes canine diabetes.

Skin Disorders

Another problem related to obesity is skin problems. Extra fat is stored in the skin , typically owners end up experiencing difficulty grooming their dogs. If a dog is not groomed properly , bacteria and dirt accumulate resulting in various skin diseases. Common symptoms include rashes , infections and ruptures of the skin.

Ability To Tolerate Heat

Obese dogs are more likely to experience difficulty and struggle to tolerate heat – this is especially bad during the summer months. The cause of the heat intolerance is fat build-up under the skin. The end result is often heat stroke during the summer months.

Heart Problems And Respiratory Disease

Like their human owners , dogs are also prone to develop lung and heart diseases. The chest cavity is covered in fatty deposits. This places strain on the lungs and heart when the dog breathes. This is compounded when the heart and lungs are unable to produce the right levels of oxygen and to circulate it around the dogs body.

Gastrointestinal problems

Obesity does also result in problems related to the stomach and pancreas. An inflamed pancreas is extremely painful and can result in death.

Liver problems

Fats are difficult for the liver to strain and can result in liver disease. When the liver fails , the dog will experience liver failure which can even result in death.

Most of these problems are potentially fatal. It is up to you as the owner of the dog to identify these problems and take the correct steps to safeguard the health of your dog. The best way to combat obesity is lots of exercise and a sensible diet. Setting up a sensible exercise program is vital. The best exercise for you dog is regular walks and they really enjoy it. An added benefit is that you also end up getting some exercise. So you and your dog end up benefiting.

The next step is to develop a healthy diet for your dog. You need to provide your dog with a balanced diet o that they get all the necessary nutrients. You must include , protein , fiber , vegetables , vitamins and minerals. Always remember to include a lot of water – too little water can result in constipation , especially when you are increasing their fiber intake.

Always consult the vet before making any changes to your dogs diet and lifestyle. It is also important to include lots of care and love to supplement their exercise and diet. Remember that a happy pet is a healthy pet.