Just as with humans, one of the biggest health problems today for dogs is obesity. Many owners think their pudgy dogs are adorable, when in fact they are extremely unhealthy.

Also like humans, some dogs are more prone to obesity than others. Pugs and other certain dog breeds have a harder time than others staying in shape.

Health Risks with Obesity
Overweight dogs can develop the same kinds of problems that overweight humans can, such as diabetes mellitus, which can be very tricky to treat. Obesity can also reduce your dog’s life expectancy

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight
If you are not sure if your dog is overweight, there is a very easy way to do so visually and by touch. A dog of normal weight should have an indentation at his waistline, and his ribs should be easily felt under his skin. An overweight dog will not have a waistline and there will be a thicker layer of fat over his ribs.

Causes of Obesity in Dogs
There are several factors that can contribute to obesity in dogs. Among these are overfeeding, not enough exercise, health conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism, age, gender, and breed.

If your dog is overweight, the first thing you should do is have your veterinarian do a full examination. This will help rule out any underlying health conditions. My Aunt Barbara took her overweight Cocker Spaniel to the vet where he determined that Katie had a thyroid problem. After putting her on medication her weight went back to a normal, healthy weight. Sadly, Katie will have to be on the medication the rest of her life.

If no health conditions are present, the next thing you should look at is the quality and quantity of food you are feeding your dog. Many store brand and generic foods do not have the proper nutrients required to keep your dog fit and healthy.

Correction the Problem
If your dog is overweight, you will want to choose a high quality food specifically designed to be low in calories. Many prescription and over the counter diets are available. Talk with your veterinary staff to help determine which food is right for your dog.

If you will be switching to a new food, you will want to do this gradually, over the period of about a week. This will help reduce digestive problems like vomiting and loose stools. Feed your dog the amount that the label or your veterinarian recommends.
Are Treats Allowed?
While your dog is losing weight, ideally you should cut out all treats. Many people feed their dogs the appropriate amount of food, but do not realize how high in calories many treats are.

Keep track of what kinds of treats and how many you are giving your dog. You may be amazed to find out that his caloric intake of treats is greater than that in his food. If you must feed your dog treats while he is dieting, choose healthy snacks like carrots or a low calorie manufactured treat such as Charlee Bears.

Leftovers are Out
You should also never feed your dog leftovers. Not only is this unhealthy for dogs, it can lead to unwanted behaviors such as begging. In general, your leftovers do not have the proper balance of nutrients that dogs require and are often higher in fat and calories than dogs should have.

Proper nutrition is not the only factor in reducing weight in dogs. You must provide them with appropriate amounts of exercise. Many people do not understand that dogs require an awful lot of exercise to maintain proper health.

Exercise is Very Important
If your dog is overweight, you will want to go for at least one walk in the morning and the evening for up to 30 minutes each time, depending on the size of your dog. Dog parks are an excellent place for both you and your dog to get exercise.

Sign up for a class like agility or flyball to help keep your dog active. Play lots of games like fetch and Frisbee. You have to be an active partner in helping your dog reduce his weight.

Weight Loss Should be Very Gradual
Weight loss in dogs should be very gradual. Dogs should only lose between one and two percent of their overall weight per week. You should weigh your dog on a regular basis to keep track of his weight and to check your progress.

Dogs become overweight by overeating and inactivity. By following the feeding guidelines set by your veterinarian, reducing the amount of treats given, and increasing the amount of exercise and activity your dog gets, you can help your dog lose weight and become the healthy and happy dog you want him to be.

The Pug pictures above is my aunt's dog, Miss Ellie. When Miss Ellie came to live with my aunt she was overweight. But with daily walks and a strict diet Miss Ellie is not fit and trim, and feeling much better.

Is your pet overweight?

Obesity as commonly perceived is not just a problem with human beings. It is prevalent in animals, both wild and pet.. In cases of animals it is mostly found in pets.

According to a recent research it has been found that about 25% of the pets are obese or overweight. The study and percentages indicate that the problem has reached proportions where it cannot be ignored.

We have three dogs who are very quick to gain too much weight. We feel bad limiting their food because they give us that sad, starving look. But we have to be tough and only give them the dose we have found works for them. We have learned what is the right amount and what is too much.

A dog’s weight cannot be evaluated by just measuring the weight. It is more appropriate to observe the physical condition of the dog by comparing it with one of its own breed or species. The overall appearance of the pet is of prime importance since the ideal weight is very varied in case of pets or for that matter in all animals, in judging the obesity factor.

How can you tell if your dog is overweight, underweight or just right?

Some observations that can help in your own assessment of your dog are suggested. The ribs should not be visible to the eye but should be easily felt without pressing. The stomach or the abdominal area should be tucked in. These simple tests or feels can be reviewed at home if the owner can objectively record the same.

A veterinarian would be required for advice if you find that your dog does not possess the much sought after hour-glass physique. The owner should have a good reference point to infer the results from his observations, i.e. he should have good knowledge and information about the general physical appearance of the species of his dog. You don't want to starve your poor dog.

Obesity decreases the life span of your dog, and an overweight dog is generally not healthy. Obesity may lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart complications, endocrinal diseases and bad joints. The medication for these conditions is also seriously compromised due to underlying obesity factors and age.

Exercise is very important

You pet is overweight because of the simple reason that it has more to eat and not enough exercise. The over feeding trend arises from the owners special way of showing love and care to their pets It is very important to keep tabs on the feeding habits of your pet.

Many pet food packs carry a dosage level instruction, but it cannot be really depended upon. It is the owner who has to decide how much feed the pet since a lot of other factors like life style, exercise, activities, age etc. Most animals tend to overeat given the opportunity and curbing it is the owner’s responsibility. Taking advice from a veterinarian in regard to determining the pets ideal weight, creating a weight loss and maintenance plan, would be a good start.

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