Common Circumstances That Lead to Obesity in Dogs

     When owners notice their canines becoming overweight, their first reaction is to review their pets' meals. This is reasonable. After all, people gain weight when they eat more calories than they burn. So, too, do dogs. But there are many additional factors that might be playing a role. The only way to address them successfully (less food is often not the solution) is to identify them.

In this article, we'll present the most common reasons canines gain weight. Obesity can lead to many health problems that can shorten your pet's expected life. It's important to familiarize yourself with the following issues so you can take steps to resolve them.

Low-Quality Food / Too Much Food

The quality of the food you give your pet can have a significant influence on his weight. There are many inexpensive brands that include poor ingredients in order to lower production costs. These ingredients are often difficult for dogs to digest. What's more, some of them are little more than filler to make the package heavier; they deliver very little nutrition. As a result, your canine will need to consume more of it in order to receive the nutrients his body requires. Bottom line: invest in high-quality commercial brands.

Many owners simply give their pets too much food. They either fill their bowls too high, or feed their dogs table scraps. Unless your canine has a high energy level, such a diet will likely cause him to gain weight. Speak with a veterinarian regarding your dog's required caloric intake given his energy needs.

Your Pet Has Been Spayed or Neutered

Once a canine has been "fixed," his metabolism usually drops. This means he has less need of calories than he did prior to being fixed. Some owners maintain their pets' diets after they have been spayed or neutered. With a slower metabolism, however, this all but guarantees weight gain.

Too Little Exercise

This circumstance is related to the volume of food - or specifically, the number of calories - your canine consumes. As noted earlier, weight gain in people usually occurs because they consume more calories than they burn. Conversely, if they exercise more while eating the same amount, they are often able to lose weight.

Many dogs, like people, receive too little exercise. If their rate of caloric consumption is greater than the rate at which they burn calories, they will eventually become overweight. The solution? Give your dog more exercise.

Stress Or Lack Of Mental Stimulation

Pets react differently to stress and boredom. Some will pace the floor in order to release tension, and entertain themselves when they are bored. Others will eat as a response to both circumstances, leading to extra pounds.

If your dog constantly has food left over in his bowl, it might suggest he is receiving too much food for his energy needs. Consider removing it. Otherwise, when he is stressed or bored, he may return to his bowl to keep eating.

Medical Conditions

There are also a number of health problems that can make weight gain more likely. For example, your pet might have diabetes, an abnormality of the pituitary gland, or hypothyroidism. With diabetes, your canine's appetite is triggered when he boosts his insulin level. This, of course, motivates him to eat. His appetite and metabolism may also be affected if his pituitary gland behaves erratically. With hypothyroidism, production of the thyroid hormone declines, which in turn, slows your dog's metabolism. If his diet remains the same, and he receives no additional exercise, he will gain weight.

There's a lot you can do to help your canine avoid gaining excess pounds. Monitor his diet and caloric intake, invest in premium dog food, and make sure he receives plenty of physical activity. Also, opt for healthy treats instead of those with a high-sugar content. These steps alone will prevent your dog from becoming obese.