Being obese is becoming ordinary for dogs and even cats. Some individuals who see a healthy lean canine would often react or see it as too thin or unhealthy. Our pets would never wish to be overweight; should they become one, it’s the responsibility of fur parents to keep their weight in check and back to normal.
If you still think of your chubby dog as cute, we’ll tackle why it’s not and why you should begin working on managing their weight immediately.
Why Dog Obesity Should Never Be Ignored
Though dogs never have to worry about other dogs and people mocking them at the park, being obese has been linked to numerous serious health conditions that can severely affect their
1. Urinary tract or bladder disease
Uroliths, often called urinary bladder stones, are stone-like deposits that develop in animals’ bladders, including dogs, mostly obese ones. These stones can be painful and often result in urinary tract infections. Bladder stones can obstruct urine flow and can be deadly when not addressed by a veterinarian immediately.
So if you’ve read about the typical indications associated with bladder stones in canines, don’t postpone their treatment. Immediately take them to a nearby veterinary diagnostic lab so the diagnosis and treatment can start right away.well-being. Below are five common diseases related to dog obesity.
2. Shortened lifespan
Obese pets can not play enthusiastically like their healthy fellows, breathe normally, and live a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, overweight canines are frequently irritable to feel pain, hotness, or uncomfortableness. Due to this, they are unlikely to fully live their anticipated lifespan than those maintained at a healthy weight.
3. Joint degeneration
Obesity can easily damage your pet’s joints, partly because of the burden of carrying additional weight. Furthermore, the excess weight their joints carry can break down the cartilage’s cushioning inside the joints. Once dogs get arthritis, it can be hard to manage as the lack of cushion inside their joints may lead to more damage caused by the arthritic changes.
Even if you manage to get your pet’s weight back to normal, the degeneration of their joints can be irreparable. This is why early prevention is always essential, particularly if you’re slowly seeing your dog gain weight little by little. If you own a dog with arthritis, they may benefit from acupuncture as it eases discomfort and provides relaxation to their joints and bones. You may click here to learn more about the benefits of vet acupuncture.
4. Heart and breathing conditions
Excessive weight in pets can cause high blood pressure and heart conditions and is often linked to breathing problems. Overweight canines are susceptible to laryngeal paralysis and a collapsing trachea. Left neglected, these airway-related disorders may lead to a severe respiratory crisis that can be lethal.
This is why you should always be consistent with your pet’s vaccinations and preventatives. During each session, the veterinarian can examine your pet, assess its weight, and suggest actions to help prevent the onset of any conditions connected to dog obesity. You may visit their vaccinations page to learn more about the importance of pet preventive care.
5. Cancer
Dog cancer is always linked to obesity. Obese pets are prone to many other health problems, but cancer is the most detrimental. Today, there have been no precise treatments to address cancer in dogs, as most dogs diagnosed with cancer are expected to live shorter than their breed’s supposed lifespan.
