The Hidden Struggles of Obesity in Pets
Having worked in a local shelter for years, I’ve witnessed my share of animal neglect. However, for this discussion, I’ll avoid using the word “abuse.” Most people genuinely care about their pets, but sometimes they may overindulge them without harmful intent. Instead of "abuse," we'll focus on "obese," as our topic today is the rising number of overweight dogs and cats. So how does this happen? After all, these pets can't access the refrigerator or order a pepperoni pizza on their own. Who is aiding and abetting?
It's distressing to see a fat dog or cat struggle to get up or lay down, run, or even breathe. Their quality of life is severely affected, and they face higher health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In fact, we may be shortening their already brief lives by two to three years. So, again… why is this happening?
Here are a few thoughts. Some dogs devour their food as if they haven’t eaten in days. In response, owners may believe their dog is starving and give them more food. Living with an animal day after day can make it difficult to notice changes in their body weight. In the U.S., nearly half of all dogs are overweight. A recent study reported by The Whole Dog Journal found that veterinarians consider 47 percent of their patients to be overweight, yet only 17 percent of owners acknowledged this.
For many overweight dogs, the real culprit is a lack of stimulation. Often, these dogs aren’t truly hungry; they are simply bored. For many pets, mealtime might be the only exciting part of their day. Busy owners may compensate for their lack of time by offering more food and treats, using these as a way to ease the
Food for Thought…Consider replacing a simple backyard potty break with a walk or hike. A tired dog is likely to curl up happily beside you when they return home, dreaming about their day, while a bored dog may continue to seek out more food to eat. Here are some alternative activities to try:
Play: Engage in games like hide & seek, fetch, or tug (with rules!).
Walk: Visit a park and allow your dog to sniff to their heart's content.
Train: Teach your dog to earn their meals (e.g., one kibble for a “sit”). After all, you’re going to feed them anyway!
Exercise: Explore hiking, running, or swimming - just remember to work up to it gradually and not to overstress your overweight dog.
Sports: Look into dog sports like agility, Treibball, or nosework, which are great alternatives to lounging around.
Puzzle Toys: Use food-stuffed Kongs or puzzle toys to make mealtime last longer and more engaging.
Lean dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives than those who are overweight. Let’s work together to keep our pets fit and thriving!
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