Why Weight Management For Dogs is Vitally Important
Dog obesity is a very real thing. Just as we have a worldwide epidemic of obesity in the human race, our furry friends are also following in our footsteps.
You want your pet to be as healthy and as happy as possible, and much of that comes down to ensuring that their weight is within the normal range for their breed and size. Failure to do so brings several rather worrying health concerns to the fore. Let’s check out some of the most common risks associated with a lack of weight management for your dog.
An Increased Risk of Arthritis
Your dog’s motility will be severely impacted if they become obese. This is the same reason for humans – extra pressure on the main joints can cause wear and tear, which eventually turns into arthritis. Whilst some dogs naturally develop arthritis, obesity is a major risk factor towards it.
Heart And Breathing Problems Are More Likely
The extra pressure being put on your dog’s heart and lungs could cause severe issues for them now and in the future. Obesity increases the risk of heart disease, which in turn also increases blood pressure. All of this is also linked towards problems with breathing. In the most severe cases, obese dogs could experience a collapse of the trachea, which causes airway issues and could lead to death if medical attention isn’t sought immediately.
Increased Risk if Anaesthetic is Needed
If your dog has to undergo any surgery, they will have an increased risk pertaining to an anesthetic. This is because the lungs need to put in extra work, but also the heart. This can cause problems whilst under anesthetic, but can also cause a delay in your dog waking up after surgery and when the anesthetic has worn off. It could also lead to the anesthetic not working adequately.
A Higher Chance of Developing Tumours
Obese dogs have a higher risk of developing specific types of tumors, called lipomas. They are also at an increased risk of transitional cell carcinoma, which is usually found in the bladder and breast areas. In this case, your dog will need to undergo rigorous treatment, and possibly even surgery. We just mentioned the increased anesthetic risk too, which hampers treatment of tumors.
A likelihood of Skin Issues
Obese dogs are always going to have more folds in the skin and these can easily become infected or cause irritation, especially during warm weather. Your dog will itch the area and this can increase infection risk, but also cause them a lot of discomfort and distress.
These are some of the biggest risks of obesity in dogs. With all of this in mind, being aware of your dog’s weight is vital.
