Obesity

Weight management in dogs can be a tricky topic because many dog owners have difficulty identifying when their pet is overweight. That is why this health issue can be one of the most overlooked dangers to pet longevity.

This is often because obesity can come with a wide range of health problems such as high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, and cancer.

To learn more about how to assess if your dog might be overweight you can consult the American Kennel Club’s article Obesity in Dogs: A Major Health Threat Hiding in Plain Sight.

The basic components for treating obesity are exercise and dietary changes. Depending on the severity of obesity and current fitness level, increasing the amount of your dog’s daily exercise may need to be done gradually. In general, most dogs can safely exercise for 15-30 minutes per day to start.

The duration and intensity can be slowly increased as your dog loses weight and becomes fitter. A simple walk is feasible for most families, but exercise can also include playing fetch indoors or outdoors, swimming, and running. If your dog is older, you may need to do shorter exercise sessions.