Experts sternly warn about the dangers of obesity in dogs

Veterinarians share tips on healthy eating and exercise

Obesity can shorten a dog's lifespan, worsen pain and increase the risk of diseases such as diabetes, according to a report from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention , skin diseases, respiratory disorders, kidney dysfunction, osteoarthritis and cancer. According to veterinary experts, the need to shed unnecessary pounds affects not only people, but also dogs.

According to a report from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in the incidence of pet obesity over the past two decades, with 59 percent of dogs classified as overweight or obese with obese pets in 2022.

Veterinarian Jeffrey Krasnoff told Fox News that if your dog is gaining weight, it's important to start by seeing a professional.

“Overweight dogs should be screened for underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease, hormone excess,” advises Krasnoff.

American Kennel Club judge Linda Fiordiliso, who also shows bulldogs in national competitions and owns a business dog groomer, makes keeping her dogs fit and healthy a priority.

“The dog should look fit. I don't want Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I want a dog that looks healthy,” explains Linda Fiordiliso, noting that this requires monitoring the animal's diet and exercise.

Overweight problems in dogs are usually caused by overfeeding, according to Jeffrey Krasnoff, noting that pet owners must be disciplined when it comes to feeding dogs the appropriate food and portions.

«Many people give too many treats and that's how a dog gains weight, just like a person who eats too many snacks and then sits on the couch all day,» says the veterinarian.

To reduce calorie intake, Fiordiliso shared that she adds frozen peas or green beans to her bulldogs' food to help them feel full on fewer calories.

There are many tactics to help dogs lose weight, according to veterinarian Laurie Asprea , starting with identifying the source of the extra calories.

“I encourage anyone interested in reducing their pet's weight to consult with their veterinarian to help them calculate their furry family member's caloric needs,” admits Asprea. “There is a basic formula, but we adapt it depending on the pet's activity level and breed. , health status and goals.»

In multi-person households, it can be difficult to keep track of how often the dog is fed. If this is the case, Lori Asprea recommends creating a plan to track what your pet is getting each day—the amount of food and treats, including the number of calories—and then comparing actual intake to the recommended intake.

“Some of the treats offered are high in calories. , and our pets can really gain extra pounds,” Jacqueline Geary, who specializes in animal emergency and critical care, told Fox News.

Veterinarians advise breaking the treat into smaller pieces rather than giving the whole bone as a reward. Experts stressed that you should never try a diet based on the human diet on your pet. For example, there are not many studies supporting the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in dogs.

“This is not a tactic we use as the research has been fairly inconclusive and more research will be needed to better understand how… something like intermittent fasting will affect our pets,” said Lori Asprea.

Experts agree that increasing activity levels not only helps puppies shed extra pounds, but also improves the animal's mental and physical health. Veterinarians suggest increasing your pet's activity level by taking more walks and playing with a ball to get the dog moving and help burn calories for both pet and owner. At the same time, there are activities for dogs that don't put much of the extra stress that extra pounds puts on your dog's joints.

“At my house we play hide and seek at dinner,” says Asprea, “I take half portions of breakfast cereals, I hide them everywhere and give the command to find them. It's physically and mentally stimulating, all while cooking dinner.”

If at-home tactics don't seem to be working, veterinary experts recommend trying other services, such as pet physical therapy. There are also veterinarians who specialize in sports medicine and rehabilitation who can try underwater treadmills to help pets move around safely.