13/05/2023
Lets talk about OBESITY in dogs
Every time someone comes back from the vets and report that their dog is overweight people race to defend them, saying they are big b***d and chunky. And I get the need to comfort people, but the reality is over half of the country's dogs are overweight and it is killing them. A vet told me that half her time is spent treating diseases and problems which are obesity-related, and a lot of that treatment involves pain and distress. Obesity is linked to higher risks of cruciate disease, more complications with patella luxation, in humans it is linked to increased likelihood of allergies, add in arthritis, pancreatitis, cancer (some types), heart disease, diabetes... Please listen to your vet if they tell you the dog needs to lose weight, they aren't just trying to sell you something, in fact if you listen and take action the chances are you will be spending a lot less time and money there.
Dogs do come in different sizes but even with those with fluffy coats you should be able to see a defined waist from the top and the side. There should be a good "tuck up" of their stomach behind the rib cage. This article contains many basic ideas to get you going https://www.nomnomnow.com/learn/article/overweight-and-obese-dog-weight-loss-guide
If you need help beyond just tips https://theslimpetvet.co.uk/ is a great resource, she has a Facebook group too.
The body score chart is a guide. Your vet and vet nurses will be able to give you more help and often have weight loss clinics. Some diseases like Cushings have weight gain as a symptom so this needs checking out.
I've been there, sometimes the weight slowly creeps on and you don't notice. You put the slowing down and increased sleeping down to their age, the weather, how busy you are... I don't want to nag, I'd just really rather a higher proportion of our dogs lived happy healthy lives into their late teens
