Your Pet may be Cute but Unhealthy

It is a normal thing for us to see a chubby pet and admire it, in fact most of us feel it is a sign that the dog is well taken care of. It is adorable to see a well-feed pet, but then with obesity comes some serious health complications we need to be aware of. In a bid to make to make our pet look very attractive, we must watch out for obesity as it isn't a good thing to happen.

flickr

Our pet becomes obese when they accumulate excessive body fat contributing to disease. When a dog weighs 10% above what their ideal body weight is, they are considered overweight, but when they weigh 20% more than the ideal weight, then it is a case of obesity. With excessive body weight gained, there is an opened door for several other diseases to come in.

Diabetes Mellitus: Obesity attracts insulin resistance which eventually leads to diabetes. This condition usually requires careful management and can adversely affect the quality of a pet's life.

Respiratory problems: With excessive weight comes breathing difficulty, especially dogs with a flat face like pugs and bulldogs. Difficult breathing could make exercises more challenging and even make it more difficult for pets to loose weight.

Heart Disease: Obesity increases the chances of heart disease, it could result in hypertension, which could place an untold strain on the heart and over time result in heart failure.

Arthritis and Joint Issues: With extra weight comes stress on the joints, leading to arthritis and other musculoskeletal issues. A pet with arthritis usually will experience decreased morbidity, pain, and difficulty with daily performance.

flickr

Digestive disorders With obesity comes gastrointestinal issues like constipation, triggered by the absence of physical activities, and the risk of pancreatitis can also happen.

Skin issues: An overweight pet may find it difficult to properly groom themselves therefore resulting in skin conditions and infections.

Decreased life span: An overweight pet will have a reduce lifespan compared with others of their mates. With obesity comes the risks of other life-threatening conditions, therefore limiting the lifespan of a pet.

Reduced immune function: The immune system of an overweight pet will be compromised, this way, the pet gets more susceptible to illnesses and infections.

Reduced quality of life: Generally, the quality of life of a pet with obesity is destroyed, and the pet will struggle to enjoy activities like other pets.

Obesity makes our pets terrible, and we already know all the discomforts and health issues that come with it as we have read above. There are various reasons why our pets may become prone to obesity, even with the slightest thing we do not take seriously, like feeding them with meals that are meant for humans. When we feed our pets with human food in addition to their pet food, the number of calories and fat they eat will increase. Excessive feeding especially with high fat will trigger obesity.

flickr

The chances of obesity comes with age as well, as they age, they no longer have energy for long walks and games, this way, their movement is restricted and they can accumulate more fat. For older pets, we must encourage them as pet owners to take longer and shorter steps.

Despite all the advantages associated with spraying a pet, some research has also established this can contribute later to obesity in a pet.

Basically, treating obesity is done through dietary changes and obesity. Depending on how severe obesity is and other factors involved, an increase in dog's daily exercises can be recommended. The intensity and duration of exercises carried out can be reduced as dog's weight gets back to normal. Remember that food is not the only reason for obesity, so you need to carry your vet along with every procedure you are taking.

flickr

Just before I call it a wrap, I will say it again like I usually do that, prevention is a better strategy than waiting until treatment is required. Pets should be fed with ideal portions two to three times a day, excessive treats must be avoided, and regular exercise needs to be encouraged. Remember the health of your pet lies heavily in your hands, and it is your responsibility to keep them fit, healthy, and sound.

References

vcahospitals.com/obesityy

betterpet.com/learn/pet-obesity

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/obesity-dogs

https://anicira.org/resources/top-10-health-problems-caused-by-obesity-in-cats-and-dogs/