In the modern western world about 25% of domestic dogs are actually obese, while about 45% are at least overweight. Unfortunately only 17% of the owners of the animals perceive the problem, the causes of which are summarized as follows:
- Dietary habits such as unlimited access to a container of food that is permanently filled or administration of food intended for human consumption and no special food for dogs (eg dry food). Also, administration ypsilothermidikon snacks from the table or generally out of our hands.
- Lack of exercise. The modest way of living in an apartment, small balcony, yard, etc., does not allow the pet to "burn" the calories you consume.
- Neutering, although its benefits are numerous and indisputable or even necessary, to have the disadvantage reduces the metabolic rate of our animals, which leads to weight gain if not done while adjusting the volume, maybe the quality of his food.
- The decrease in metabolic rate that occurs with the passage of age. After the age of 5-6 years should be quantitative restriction of feeding our dog.
- Hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, the disease Cushing, diabetes etc. are causes obesity, but in some cases the same is obesity predisposing factor for the above diseases.
- Custom factors determined by the genetic material of the animal. Some dog breeds such as Cocker Spaniel, Beagles, Labrador, Golden Retriever, and others, have most often obesity.
Obesity is a serious predisposing factor for many pathological conditions:
- Orthopedic diseases, eg osteoarthritis of the hip or elbow, ruptured anterior cruciate knee, ruptured intervertebral disc and display, etc.
- cardiac and respiratory problems
- skin problems
- intolerance to heat and intense difficulty in exercising
- increased anesthetic and surgical risk
- reduce life expectancy by about 15%
- hyperacute or acute pancreatitis often fatal.
Specify your veterinarian for any of your pet overweight. Administer clinically appropriate diet will recommend for weight loss. No need crash diets. The ideal is the loss of 1-2% of the total weight of the animal per week.
Great help in your goal if you have:
- intermediate cut snacks
- make sure someone else is feeding your animal
- exercise your dog daily for at least 30 minutes
Anastasios A. Boyd
D.V.M Veterinarian