Fat dogs..........

[Ruby Red]

We have BIG problems over here with dog obesity. One of the dogs I walk is boardering "morbidly obese" and yet the owners don't seem to understand that they have to feed it less...............

Do you see many fat dogs around? I have so say that I see a lot more now than I did say 5 years ago........

Half of the dogs in Britain will suffer painful and early deaths because owners let them get fat [by David Derbyshire]

Half our dogs will die of obesity half the dogs in Britain will suffer painful and early deaths because their owners let them become too fat, a charity warns.

The canine obesity epidemic has reached alarming levels, meaning five million dogs are unlikely to reach a healthy and happy old age, says the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.

Too many owners are overfeeding their pets with treats or scraps, or simply not giving them enough exercise, according to its report.

Fat dogs are now such a common sight that many owners have forgotten what a healthy animal even looks like, it adds.

The disturbing findings come from the charity’s annual dog obesity league, compiled from the medical records of 30,000 animals.

PDSA senior vet Sean Wensley said: ‘Overweight pets are less mobile, less willing to play and more likely to develop a serious health condition.

'Ultimately, owners control their pets’ diets and exercise.’

The charity has surveyed the weight of dogs each year since 2006. Over that time, the proportion of obese pets has shot up from 21 per cent to 35 per cent.

If the trend continues, the PDSA estimates that nearly half of British dogs will be overweight by 2013 - putting them at risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and an early grave.

The crisis is most serious in the South-West, where 39 per cent of dogs are overweight.

Britain’s healthiest canines live in London, meanwhile, where just 22 per cent are fat.

The rise in obesity is down to overindulgent owners, Mr Wensley explained.

‘Most people give dogs a complete dog food with all the nutrients and calories they need,’ he said.

‘But they are still feeding them scraps of human food to show how much they love them. Something has to give.’

There are several tests to tell if your dog is overweight. If you gently stroke its side, for example, you should feel its ribs rippling under your hands.

And if you look at it from the side, its waist should tuck up behind the ribs - not be flat or saggy.

Obese dogs also often have bulges of fat at the base of their tails. Owners should speak to a vet about gradually increasing the amount of exercise their animal does and making its diet healthier.

The PDSA is so concerned about canine obesity that it is re-launching its free six-month slimming programme, Pet Fit Club.


Read more: Third of nation's dogs 'overweight': Half will suffer painful and early deaths | Mail Online

[Marylou Mader]

Just out of curiosity are all these fat dogs spayed/neutered? We have a neighbor with a fat dog, and I know for a fact, they over feed it. also there is the issue of thyroid and cushings disease, a huge percentage of canines have cushings which one of the symptoms is a pot belly and spongey feel to them appear fat.

[Spyglass Sally]

The fat dogs I have known have all been fed a lot of table scraps by people who eat high calorie, low nutrition food. As they say, dogs look like their masters.

I met a dog about a month ago that looked about 10 years old - fat and just tired. I asked how old she was and was shocked when the guy said 1 year!

But most of the dogs I see around where I live are not fat. But maybe that's just because they are healthy enough to come out and play.

[Dragon]

Obese dogs and obese owners are def. a problem.

[Scooby]

I occasionally shadow my vet, and boy have I seen some fat dogs! Some people just don't seem to understand how much it stresses out their poor little bodies! Definitely ages them before their time. Especially labs... Oy...

Scooby tends to get a little plump in the winter time haha, when I can't take him to run with me! I try to regulate his food and exercise to keep him at a comfortable weight and good looking body condition score.

[Ron]

we've noticed that all the labs (except for a few) are fat at the dog park

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by Ron

we've noticed that all the labs (except for a few) are fat at the dog park

I had that typed out.... we call them flabs

[AussieGirl]

Originally Posted by Dragon

I had that typed out.... we call them flabs

Over here it is mainly Labs, small breed dogs (like jack russel terriers, chis) the odd aust cattle dog that is kept in a yard instead of working on a farm that are fat. Actually alot of staffys seem fat to me too, it's kinda like the owners want them to look big and bulked up but they don't look muscular bulk they look fat bulk yyyyyuck!

[Doreen]

I haven't really noticed many around here. Many many people walk their dogs by here on a daily basis.

I had cut back on my dogs' foods a bit with this heat, so as not for them to gain any weight since they look perfect right now, since they are not outside running all day as usual.

[JoeV]

This sort of goes with the topic, found it interesting:
Dog Habitat Rescue's Photos - Wall Photos | Facebook

Lucky lost weight when we switched to raw, but just had to adjust to just the right amount to get her stable. I really think it is all about eating the right amount (no table scraps either) and exercise with the dog.