Canine obesity is on the rise. People lead such busy lives and what they eat, and how much they exercise, also affects what they feed their dogs and how much exercise their dogs get. It can sometimes be hard to realize that your dog is fat, especially for those breeds that have thick coats. But canine obesity is a serious health risk for your furry pal and taking action now can help him to lead a healthier life.
It’s important to remember that an extra 5 pounds on your dog means more than an extra 5 pounds on a person. An extra 5 pounds on a normally 50 pound dog, for example, is 10% overweight. An extra 5 pounds on a normally 20 pound dog is 25% overweight!
Fat dogs are at higher risk for health problems which can lead to shortened lives. On the other hand, fit dogs who are at a healthy weight tend to be more active which means they can enjoy all sorts of activities with their people.