A fat dog is not a healthy dog

How often do you hear “just look at how fat and healthy my dog are” And this is often actually said by owners to emphasize how well they are looking after their dog(s). But this is total rubbish. Fat and healthy is totally exclusive – you cannot have a fat and healthy dog – a fat, overweight and obese dog is actually a very unhealthy dog! 

You should be able clearly feel your dogs ribs, the last 3 ribs (the floating ribs) may even be visible. There should also be a clear indent to the stomach, looking from the side and the topline. Your dogs weight should also be in line with the breed standard of your breed (there is a reason why there is a breed standard!) 

The health effects of fat/overweight dogs 

Shorter lifespan – multiple studies has shown that overweight will shorter a dogs lifespan by a year up to two and a half years – and for a dog that is a lot, a 10% – 25% reduction in lifespan. This includes a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018. 

Diabetes mellitus – overweight increases insulin resistance. Insulin is needed to break down sugar. When the body is unable to perform this function, diabetes develops, posing serious health risks to your dog.

Musculoskeletal diseases – excess weight greatly contributes to musculoskeletal problems and diseases like ruptured ligaments and osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Your dogs skeletal structure is just not intended to carry that amount of weight and it causes a lot of additional wear and tear. 

Hypertension – multiple studies has shown direct link between overweight and high blood pressure, putting pressure on the heart and kidneys, even leading to congestive heart failure.

Respiratory problems – overweight dogs at risk of developing breathing problems like shortness of breath 

Compromised immune function – overweight dogs more susceptible to viral and bacterial illnesses and may not recover as easily

Increases risk of cancer – higher risk of tumors that grow and will be malignant. The fat is also filled by blood vessels and the added rich blood causes inflammation. This creates an environment attractive to cancer cells. And cancer has become the number one killer of dogs today. 

Reasons for overweight

Studies have shown that approximately 70% is due to overfeeding and wrong feeding and approximately 30% is due to lack of exercise.

Dogs eat too much due to portions given but especially due to the so- called free feeding. Just putting food in bowls and leaving them to eat as much as they want and whenever they want. A massive problem is also the kibbles that is predominantly carbohydrates (60%-90% of food grain, rice, potato). Food rich in carbohydrates cause a higher insulin response and lead to the storage of glucose excess in body fat form (carbohydrates changed into sugars and then becomes fat). 

Solution

Of course exercise

But then main culprit feeding needs to be addressed. Set feeding times and feeding amounts according to breed needs and food fed. Adjusted according to age and activity levels.

And then a food that is not filled by carbohydrates should be fed. It is (or should be) accepted that dogs are carnivores and a dog appropriate food will therefore be a food that is predominantly MEAT. Then we look at a balanced raw diet (prey model – 60-70% muscle meat, 15% bones, 15% organs) or a premium dry food that is predominantly meat. Here I would recommend Farmina as the best/ best value in South Africa. New to SA, imported from Italy and with high meat content and nearly all protein from meat. For more information welcome to contact Henk 078 065 3360