What are the dangers of obesity in dogs?

In our lives, furry dogs always bring us endless joy with their lively and cute images. They are our loyal companions, accompanying us through many wonderful moments every day. However, when we see our dogs gradually getting rounder, we may still think their chubby appearance is very cute, but we never realize that obesity is quietly becoming a major killer threatening dogs' health. "People fear becoming famous, and pigs fear getting fat." For dogs, being overly obese is definitely not a happy thing. Today, let's delve into the hidden dangers of dog obesity.

The harms of dog obesity are multi-faceted and extremely serious. First and foremost, it exerts tremendous pressure on their skeletal and joint systems. When a dog's weight exceeds the normal range, its limbs and joints have to bear much greater weight than normal. Just imagine a person carrying a heavy backpack every day. Over time, how great the burden on the body would be. The same is true for dogs. Excessive weight will accelerate joint wear and is likely to trigger diseases such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Sick dogs will feel pain when walking, running, or even getting up. Their originally lively and active nature will turn into sluggishness, and they will be reluctant to exercise, severely reducing their quality of life. Seeing our once energetic dogs suffering from joint problems caused by obesity, how can we, as owners, not feel heartbroken?

Obesity also has a great negative impact on a dog's cardiovascular system. Excessive fat accumulation in the body will lead to an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, increasing blood viscosity, making the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. It's like an old engine still operating under overload. Over time, the heart will be overwhelmed and is prone to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and hypertension. Once a dog gets these diseases, its life may be threatened at any time. Panting, listlessness, and decreased exercise endurance are all manifestations of problems in a dog's cardiovascular system, and the root cause of all these may well be obesity.

The respiratory system is also one of the victims of obesity. Obese dogs have excessive fat accumulation around their necks and chests, which will compress the respiratory tract, making it difficult for them to breathe. This symptom of dyspnea is more obvious especially during exercise or in hot weather. Dogs may pant frequently and even experience shortness of breath, coughing, and other symptoms. Difficulty breathing not only makes dogs uncomfortable but also affects their sleep quality and, in turn, their overall health. Every time we see a dog struggling to breathe, we should realize that this is a painful signal brought by obesity.

In addition to these serious health problems, obesity also weakens a dog's immunity, making them more vulnerable to various diseases. Under normal circumstances, a dog's body immune system can effectively resist the invasion of external germs, but when they are obese, the function of the immune system will be inhibited. It's like a city's defense system being damaged, and the enemy can easily penetrate. Obese dogs are more likely to suffer from skin diseases, diabetes, urinary system diseases, etc. And once they get sick, the difficulty of treatment will increase, and the recovery time will be longer. Watching dogs suffer from diseases, our hearts are filled with self-blame and worry.

So, why do dogs become obese? There are mainly two aspects of reasons. One is the owner's unreasonable feeding methods. Some owners dote on their dogs too much and always feed them too much food or frequently give them high - calorie snacks. Dogs don't know how to restrain themselves and often accept food readily. Over time, their weight will skyrocket. The second is the lack of exercise. In modern life, many owners are too busy with work and don't have enough time to take their dogs out for exercise. Dogs stay at home all day with severely insufficient activity, and the energy they intake cannot be consumed, so it turns into fat and accumulates in the body.

As dog owners, we have the responsibility to help them maintain a healthy weight. First of all, we should feed them scientifically. According to the dog's breed, age, weight, and activity level, reasonably formulate a diet plan, control the food intake, and choose nutritionally balanced and low - fat dog food. At the same time, we should reduce the feeding of snacks and avoid giving dogs human food, because many human foods are unhealthy for dogs. Secondly, we should increase the dog's exercise. Take the dog out for a walk and play every day, let them run and frolic to their heart's content. This can not only consume excess energy but also enhance the bond between the owner and the dog. In addition, it is also very important to take the dog to see a veterinarian regularly for physical examinations and promptly discover and solve health problems.

Dogs are important members of our lives. They give us unconditional love and companionship. We cannot let obesity become a hidden danger to their health due to our negligence. Let's take action, pay attention to the dog's weight, and give them a healthy and happy life. Because every dog deserves a wonderful life, and we are their health guardians. Let's work together to keep dogs away from the harms of obesity, let them run and play freely in the sun, and enjoy their happy time. After all, seeing dogs healthy and lively is our greatest happiness.