Dog Obesity

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

If you think your dog is obese, it’s high time you take firm action and ensure they lose the excess weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

Yes.

It’s that simple.

And there is no point in beating around the bush.

Science has proven that overweight dogs live shorter lives. Their quality of life is also reduced, and they simply aren’t as happy or as carefree as dogs whose body weight is within the breed’s normal limits. They are often uncomfortable in their own skin but are sadly unable to make the changes that will help them lose the weight without your help.

In other words, if you think your dog is obese, it’s high time you take firm action and ensure they lose the excess weight in a healthy and sustainable way. They still may suffer from certain health conditions, but they will also be less likely to die prematurely.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

A Scientific Word

Research conducted by the University of Liverpool and the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition has determined that overweight dogs are more likely to have shorter lifespans than dogs at an ideal body weight.

The lifespan of overweight dogs can be up to two and a half years shorter when compared to dogs who are not overweight, but it will also depend on the breed itself.

The study has examined over 50.000 dogs across 12 of the most popular dog breeds, and the same effect has been seen in all of them. The extent of the effect of obesity has differed though: overweight German Shepherds are expected to live 5 months shorter lives, while Yorkshire Terriers who are overweight can die as much as two years and six months earlier than non-obese Yorkies.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

Why Do Pets Become Obese?

The main culprit behind canine (and feline, for that matter) obesity is overfeeding.

A Better Cities For Pets survey has revealed that over 54% of dog and cat owners give their pets food when they beg for it, and 22% of them sometimes overfeed their pets to keep them happy.

These kinds of eating habits are fueling the pet obesity epidemic, and causing a lot more harm than the owners of these pets can imagine. In fact, an alarming 87% of pet owners don’t measure out the food they give their pets, and base the meals they provide on their own unfounded personal estimates of how much their pet should be eating at that point in time.

This often results in too much food consumed by the animal and leads to obesity and other health issues.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

The Consequences of Canine Obesity

Sadly, a lot of pet owners aren’t aware of the severe consequences obesity has on their pets and the health complications that can arise from it.

Here are the most common ones:

Canine Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common complications caused by canine obesity. The condition stems from an inadequate production of insulin. As the body gets larger, more and more insulin is needed, and the body stops being able to cope with production demands at some point.

The blood glucose that keeps circulating in the blood of an obese dog also causes additional damage, and the condition can lead to numerous further complications. Even without them, it reduces a dog’s quality of life significantly.

Joint and Ligament Damage

The joints, bones and ligaments of a dog were made to carry a certain weight. When that weight is increased, so is the pressure exerted on them, initially causing pain and discomfort.

Over time, a condition called osteoarthritis can develop, causing even more pain and inflammation, and making it more difficult for a dog to walk. Even when lying down, they can still experience pain and tenderness.

The condition can permanently damage a dog’s joints, and prevent them from walking without discomfort ever again.

Heart and Blood Pressure Issues

Being overweight can also cause all kinds of heart trouble, and increase the risk of a dog developing congestive heart failure. As the heart has to work extra hard to ensure blood is pumped to every part of the body, it can become more worn out in a shorter period of time, which is what causes the issue.

High blood pressure is also a common consequence of obesity, which can lead to further issues in the cardiovascular department.

Breathing Issues

Being overweight also causes additional strain on a dog’s lungs. The fat that accumulates around the chest prevents them from expanding completely, and the added pressure on the diaphragm constricts lung expansion even further.

As the lungs also need to work overtime to ensure there is enough oxygen in the body, breathing can become more laboured and shallow. This is especially an issue in small breeds, as well as breeds that have short snouts.

Impaired Liver Functions and Digestive Disorders

As the fat accumulates on a dog’s body, it also builds up in the liver, compromising its normal functioning, and leading to a whole other host of health complications and discomfort.

Digestive issues are also not uncommon, and a dog may experience flatulence or constipation, especially if the root cause of their obesity lies in poor dietary choices made by their owners. Foods high in calories and low in nutrients are the main culprit here.

Impaired Immune System

Dogs who are overweight also have a weaker immune system, and they are much less adept at combating common diseases that dogs who are not overweight would be able to fight off more easily.

While we are not sure about the exact link between the two conditions, we can assume that gut health and the strain put on a dog’s body that is caused by excess weight are the main causes of a compromised immune system.

Decreased Stamina and Quality of Life

An overweight dog will have much less stamina, will find playing and running around more exhausting, and may even find a simple walk to be quite tiring.

Dogs weren’t made to lie around all day. Some breeds certainly enjoy their time on the couch, but they still need a good run and a good release of energy as often as is possible.

This sluggishness and all the pain and discomfort that they feel due to the extra weight will make them less happy, less vibrant and will significantly reduce their quality of life.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

What to do if Your Dog is Overweight

Just like humans, dogs can’t become obese overnight. However, unlike humans, they can show their weight gain quite obviously after putting on even a small amount of weight. This is especially true for small breeds that tend to have weight issues (like Pugs).

More often than not, you will be able to spot your dog has put on some weight very early on. When this happens, you should act accordingly, and start reconsidering the amount and kind of food you're giving them, in consultation with your vet.

Sometimes all it takes is switching to a food that is high in protein and taking long walks. You can invest in a dog treadmill for your home if you can’t take the dog out every single day, thereby ensuring they get all the exercise they need, and you still get to lead a busy life.

If your dog has been overweight for a while, and especially if they are obese, the road ahead of you will be a long one. You can’t just stop feeding your dog, cut out a meal a day, or suddenly try to get them to exercise a lot more.

The key is in sustainable and gradual weight loss, which you can accomplish by changing their diet, establishing a clear meal time and plan, cutting out the table scraps and reconsidering your treats.

Exercise is of course another very important component of healthy weight loss, and you need to make sure your dog gets enough daily walks, and some more vigorous exercise as well.

Before you make any changes though, make sure to consult your vet yet again, as they will be able to tell you what is safe for your dog and what is not, especially if they have developed a health condition related to their obesity.

As long as you are aware of the difficulties that lie ahead - as no dog will take kindly to a reduced amount of treats - you should be able to help your dog return to a much healthier weight.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?

To Sum It Up

Canine obesity causes premature death in all dog breeds. Overweight dogs have a lower quality of life, suffer from a variety of health conditions, are sluggish, have less stamina and are simply not the dog they could be without the excess weight.

In order to ensure your dog lives a long and happy life, keep their weight at a healthy level, and enjoy their company for years to come.

Do overweight dogs die sooner?
If you think your dog is obese, it’s high time you take firm action and ensure they lose the excess weight in a healthy and sustainable way.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Obese?
In fact, studies have shown that overweight dogs die sooner, so you might want to reconsider your attitude to your dog’s (excess) weight, and ensure that they remain fit, healthy and happy for a long time to come.
How Can We Prevent Obesity in Dogs?
Canine obesity is on the rise (as is human obesity, for that matter), and it is our job as dog owners to do our best to not only treat it, but prevent it.
How to Train Your Dog to Use a Treadmill?
Let us just remind you of the key ingredients of dog training first: patience, consistency, perseverance and treats. PCPT, if you need an acronym to commit it to memory more easily.
Can Dogs Use Human Treadmills?
Are we talking about walking humans on treadmills? Or letting dogs use human treadmills? Is that even okay?