Being overweight is a real problem for our dogs and sometimes it’s a struggle to achieve improvement. Weighing too much impairs the quality of life, making it difficult to move and like most people, dogs can also end up feeling discouraged. It can make a dog feel more lethargic, and it greatly deteriorates its health.
Our dogs get the same problems that we get with increased weight: problems with the joints, liver, heart, circulation, diabetes, skin diseases, and weakened immune system. Being overweight hampers the overall development of the dog.
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However, some diseases and conditions increase the risk of obesity and when an overweight animal enters the vet’s office, it should always be examined to make sure that it does not suffer from any condition that may be part of the cause.
Let us look at the possible reasons why your four-legged friend might be overweight.
Sign of Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease is a result of the dog’s adrenal glands producing too much cortisol. It is a relatively uncommon disease that mainly affects older dogs. Common symptoms are that the dog drinks much more water than usual and is constantly hungry. The dog might gain a lot of weight and tension in the abdomen can also be felt in dogs that have the disease. The disease usually needs to be treated medically throughout the dog’s life and therefore it is wise to incorporate a healthy diet and natural remedies that can ease the symptoms.
A smart and effective way to go about this is to look at an effective dog Cushings disease natural treatment as it can facilitate the symptoms in your pet. You can also introduce healthy and herbal remedies to your dog’s regiment. Avoid unhealthy processed foods and choose a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, proteins, and grains. Positive results have been seen by giving dogs herbs such as dandelion, ginkgo biloba, the Si Miao San Chinese herb, astragalus, and burdock. All of them boost the immune system and eliminate toxins from the body.
After neutering your dog
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One normally does not see many side effects when neutering their dog. At the same time, it can be good to be prepared for some of the problems or changes that may arise in connection to neutering.
You should be aware that your dog will gain weight more easily when it is neutered. This is because digestion is lower in neutered dogs than in non-neutered dogs. But with the right amount of food and increased movement, there is no reason for your dog to get chubby after neutering.
You have to keep track of the weight and adjust the food according to how much the metabolism changes. You may have to switch to a light food if you notice that the dog puts on a lot of weight.
Keep in mind, however, that whether the dog becomes a couch potato or not after neutering is completely individual.
Hypothyroidism as a common factor
Impaired thyroid function – hypothyroidism – is a common disease in dogs that usually affects middle-aged to older dogs.
The thyroid gland is a hormone-producing gland that sits in the throat with a part on each side of the trachea. The thyroid gland produces several important hormones that control the body’s metabolism and it needs constant access to iodine to function.
If a dog has hypothyroidism, it gains weight even though it has the same eating habits as before. The dog may also show general disease symptoms such as fatigue, and slow heart rate at the same time as you notice that the quality of its coat changes.
Take your dog to the vet to establish if your dog is suffering from this disorder. If this is the case, the vet will prescribe the right medication and they may put your dog on a strict diet.
Ascites as the underlying issue
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Ascites can occur in any dog but it is the result of an underlying disease so ignoring the symptoms can be harmful to your dog.
Prescribed medication
If your dog has been on a certain medication for a long period, it can lead to gaining weight. For instance, corticosteroids, which include cortisone, can have both short-term and long-term side effects that cause various symptoms. Weight gain is one of them.
In case any of the mentioned side effects occur, they can often be resolved by reducing the dose or frequency of cortisone treatment. The goal is to use as little cortisone as possible and with as few side effects as possible for the treatment to still be effective.
In Closing
Being overweight similarly affects the dog as it affects us humans and it strikes the dog’s musculoskeletal system, joints, muscles, and function. Overweight dogs often become stiffer, may find it more difficult to move, get up, turn around, and so on.
The walks become more strenuous, the desire to play may decrease. Obesity often creeps in slowly, but can also come quickly in some cases.
While some dog breeds are more prone to being overweight than others, as a dog owner, your dog is dependent on you and therefore you should eliminate all doubts as to whether other medical reasons may cause the weight gain. In the article above we mentioned some of the potential reasons why your dog might be growing rounder and bigger, as well as tips on diet and changing lifestyle habits that can improve this condition and allow your companion to live a happier life.
