Mary Allen
Whatever the reason for obesity in dogs – excessive feeding due to a misunderstood love of animals or an increased appetite after castration – the consequences can be fatal. Too many pounds on the ribs cause or promote numerous diseases. You can find out what these are here.
Obesity in dogs is less of an optical problem and more of a health problem. The excessive proportion of body fat sometimes has consequences for the joints, the organs, and also the mental well-being of your four-legged friend.
Consequences of Obesity in Dogs: Diseases of Internal Organs
One of the most common consequences of obesity in dogs is digestive problems. This is because four-legged friends with weight problems usually move less than their normal-weight conspecifics. Since the highly sensitive digestive system only works properly with sufficient exercise, overweight dogs often suffer from constipation. The affected animals then suffer from constipation or flatulence.
Overweight dogs also suffer from urinary stones more often than their peers. This disease manifests itself through increased urination – often accompanied by pain. You can prevent urinary stones with a special diet. Ask your vet for advice on this. Diabetes mellitus is also one of the consequences of obesity in dogs. Due to a lack of insulin or – which is less common in dogs than in humans – insulin resistance, affected dogs can no longer utilize the glucose contained in the food. If you observe one of the diabetes symptoms in your four-legged friend – for example, increased drinking, frequent urination, no feeling of satiety, or even exhaustion – you should have them examined for this.
Obesity in Dogs: Joint Problems as Consequences
The superfluous kilos can also promote devastating joint diseases. The heavier the dog, the more stress it puts on its joints. This can lead to excessive wear and tear and diseases such as osteoarthritis or arthritis. This is not only painful for the animal, but can also promote other diseases that then occur as a result of a lack of exercise. A vicious circle threatens: Being overweight causes joint pain, which leads to sluggishness and a reluctance to move. This reduces the dog’s energy consumption and the weight continues to increase with the same diet.
Consequences of Obesity for the Cardiovascular System
The superfluous body fat not only puts a strain on the digestive organs, metabolism, and joints but also the heart and circulatory system. Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, which weakens the heart over time. In addition, it is extremely exhausting for the four-legged friend to carry around the extra kilos. Since the airways are also affected by the extra fatty tissue, this condition is made even worse. Overweight dogs also carry an increased risk of anesthesia due to the weakened cardiovascular system and the risk of complications during surgical procedures is also greater.
Obesity Promotes Inflammatory Processes
In the abdominal fat of overweight four-legged friends, pro-inflammatory messenger substances are increasingly released. This in turn has various devastating health consequences. In addition to the already mentioned arthrosis, this leads to skin diseases and coat problems, for example. In general, the immune system is weakened and your dog suffers from infections more often. All in all, it can be said that the quality of life and life expectancy of your four-legged friend is significantly reduced if he is too fat. So if you suspect that your dog is carrying too many pounds on its ribs, take it to the vet and discuss a healthy change in diet and exercise program with them.