Being overweight in animals is no joke. As in people, if our pets get fat, they can have serious cardiovascular problems and even have heart attacks. The problem is that sometimes we don’t know when an animal is fat or just has a somewhat strong constitution.
In this post we are going to teach you all the keys so that you are able to know if your dog or any other is fat. You can apply this technique to other pets, such as cats.
Is there any breed of dog that has a greater tendency to gain weight than another?
Yes, indeed, certain breeds of dogs tend to be overweight more easily. The ones that tend to be more prone to this type of problem are the following:
- Bulldog. They tend to put on weight very quickly, so it is important to control their diet and their walking schedules. In addition, due to their complexion, once they get overweight it is very difficult for them to lose it, so it is better to apply “dog preventive medicine” with this type of dog: at least 4 walks a day, 3 for half an hour and one for an hour and average and a balanced diet.
- German shepherd if you are a person with an inactive life, this dog is not the one that fits your style. German Shepherds need a lot of physical activity to feel happy and healthy. Being overweight in this breed can cause very serious problems, such as hip dysplasia.
- Boxers. Boxers are a breed with a tendency to have thyroid problems that end up causing obesity. For this reason, it is a type of dog that must be closely controlled by the veterinarian. In addition to the usual visits to give him the vaccines, I advise you to take him once a year so that the vet can carry out the check-ups that he considers necessary to make sure that his health is correct.
Instructions to know if a dog is fat
Step by step to know if a dog is fat
- Look at his figure in profile. Normally the gut of the dogs goes up, until the end of the hind legs. It is common for a curve to form in the area of the front legs, where the rib cage is located. But, if instead of going up to the stomach, the line is straight, without a doubt our dog is overweight.
- The ribs are not noticeable. There are some breeds prone to the ribs being slightly visible to the naked eye, such as greyhounds, although this is not normal. The usual thing in our pets is that when we caress them gently we notice with our palm of the hand the shape of the ribs. If you don’t feel them when you feel them, it’s a bad sign. Your dog is probably fat.
- It has lost the shape of the waist. When we look at our dog from above, we can clearly see how his body narrows at the waist. If when looking at it from this angle we are not able to perceive this line, your dog is surely overweight.
- Your dog gets exhausted too easily when exercising. If when taking routine walks with your dog you notice that he tires easily, for example, that he loses his breath after taking a few steps, it is not a good sign. If he refuses to walk, play, go to the dog park or socialize with other animals , if, in general, he seems “lazy”, it is probably because his excess weight does not allow him to enjoy these activities that he usually likes so much to our pets
Tips to know if a dog is fat
Last minute tips
How can I deal with my dog’s overweight?
Think that dogs, in this sense, are not very different from us. Like humans, dogs need a balanced diet and an adequate level of physical activity in order not to get fat.
- Whatever the breed, keep in mind that this type of animal must have a minimum of 3 or even 4 walk a day. Each walk should last approximately half an hour, except for one, which is recommended to last an hour, an hour and a half. On the long walk you have to take advantage of the dog exercises. Practice sports with him: throw him the ball; take him for a bike ride, run like another dog behind him… If you let him loose in an open field where there are other pets, you will also help him to socialize and his character does not become aggressive in front of other dogs. Playing with other dogs is as important to them as eating.
- Regarding their diet, as much as it hurts us, they have to eat feed. These are foods specifically prepared to take care of your teeth and your body and prevent possible diseases. Never ever give candy to a dog. Sugar ends up blinding them and greatly increasing their weight. You can visit specialized pet stores so that they can recommend the most suitable feed according to the breed and age of your dog.
