31/07/2026
Bramble is fat right now.
Sorry Bram, it’s true.
Like lots of dogs, the heat has prevented regular exercise, and where my other dogs are a bit wild and will burn off their energy chasing and playing, Bramble at nearly 16 years old thinks that’s all a bit beneath her.
As a naughty owner, I’ve supplemented her slightly more boring days with indoor training and giving her some chews, but haven’t done a good enough job of reducing her meal portion. So now, she’s slightly more circular than she was a few months ago.
This week, I noticed that her back legs were a bit wobbly. I could just put this down to her age, and it’s certainly a factor, but it’s more than likely that her extra weight is a contributor. So we have cut down, and I’m going to have to be a bit more vigilant about her calorie input vs output.
The crazy thing is, compared to so many dogs I see, she still doesn’t look overweight. Most vets would still say she’s an ideal weight. But those extra grams put so much more pressure on dogs’ joints.
Lean dogs live longer. They have fewer joint issues. They cope with heat better. They experience less pain in their day to day lives.
It’s easy for our dogs to put on weight at the moment, but it’s easy for us to cut down on their meals, too.
They deserve longevity and a life as pain-free as we can provide. Despite what people think, fat dogs aren’t happy dogs.
