Dangers of Pet Obesity
Everyone is well aware that obesity is a top concern among people in the United States. Unfortunately, the obesity epidemic is not specific to humans – it is affecting our pets as well. According to WebMD, up to 40% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. And just as with humans, overweight dogs have many severe health issues and if left untreated it can even lead to a decrease in life span.
Multiple areas of a dog’s body are affected by excess body fat, including the bones and joints, the digestive organs, and the organs used to breathe. The following are just some of the major heath issues that can develop in a pet because of obesity:
- Pancreatitis – When the pancreas is inflamed and unable to perform its natural function of regulating the pet’s blood sugar level and digestion.
- Diabetes – When there is a lack of insulin in the body or the inability of the body to utilize the insulin properly.
- Arthritis – Inflamed joints that cause pain and swelling, resulting in decreased mobility.
- Heart Disease – An encompassing term that describes a variety of diseases that affect the heart, all of which can cause pain and a decreased life span in the pet.
- Liver Disease – When the liver is unable to perform its natural function of detoxifying the blood, removing waste from the body, and producing bile.
- High Blood Pressure – When the pet’s arterial blood pressure is continually higher than normal, causing seizures, disorientation, heart murmurs, and general weakness.
It can be difficult for pet owners to determine if their pet is at a healthy weight or overweight, but in general, there are two main tests to conduct. First, run your hands over your pet and feel for the spine, shoulder blades and ribs. If you have to dig through many layers of fat, there is most likely a problem. A healthy bone structure should be easily felt but not seen. Second, view your pet from above. Your pet should have a well-defined waist and a tight abdomen. If there is a bowing in this area, it is time to evaluate your pet’s weight.
If you determine there may be an issue with your pet’s weight, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to verify. Your veterinarian may check your pet for underlying causes of the obesity such as hypothyroidism, but if those causes are ruled out, there are simple steps to take to get the weight off:
- Increase the amount of exercise your pet receives.
- Decrease the amount of food your pet eats daily, or switch to a lower-calorie, more nutritious food option.
- Decrease the amount of treats given to your pet during the day or switch to a lower-calorie, more nutritious treat option.
Have you ever had an issue with a pet being overweight? What measures did you take to correct the problem?
Heather Kalinowski is a pet lover and internet journalist at Trupanion, North America’s fastest growing pet insurance company. Trupanion offers 90% coverage of veterinary bills with no payout limits. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they become sick or injured.
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