Ask the Shelter: Is a fat dog an unhealthy dog?
Q: My friend’s dog is overweight. Alarmingly so. She doesn’t seem to think there’s a problem. Can obesity in animals be a health concern?
A: Absolutely. Depending on how overweight your friend’s dog is could literally determine his lifespan.
I was speaking with someone the other day who said she saw a 3-year-old beagle who weighed 67 pounds. Yes, a beagle. And yes, 67 pounds.
The woman’s vet said that there was a definite chance that her dog would not be alive for the following year’s vet visit. The vet point-blank told the owner she was killing her dog. Believe it or not, apparently the rolls of fat on this poor beagle were so bad that infection had set in because there was no way for the dog to clean himself.
Obesity in animals can lead to joint problems, heart and circulation issues, diabetes and a host of other concerns, many of which can most definitely lead to an early death. Obesity affects virtually every organ and system in the body, so it’s a serious concern. Your friend should also have her vet test for thyroid problems or other medical conditions that could lead to weight gain.
It’s important to work with your vet to develop a healthy caloric intake for your pet. While nutrition is important, we need to make sure we don’t overfeed our animals either. I’ve seen some dogs who would eat literally until they made themselves sick.
So just because your dog “seems” to still be hungry, make sure you give him only a limited amount of food. For the sake of your friend’s dog, I hope she gets the message before it’s too late.
Ask the Shelter: My cat fights me when I want her to sit in my lap -- why?
Q: My dog sleeps a lot – like almost 22 hours a day. He is a little older – almost 8 years old – and a terrier mix. I’ve had him to the vet and he seems healthy. This may sound crazy, but can dogs get depressed?
A: It’s not crazy, actually. Depending on a number of factors, he could be slightly depressed.
You’ve already taken the first step – ruling out physical factors with the vet. Now you need to think about any changes that may have happened in your life.
A move? A divorce? Someone moved out? The loss of another pet? Your health or mood? Dogs can be especially sensitive to their human’s feelings, so that could be another possibility.
My mom and dad had a mixed breed dog who had been the only four-legged child in the family and after my siblings and I moved out, would sleep about as long as your baby. They found getting her a companion really bolstered her energy and lifestyle.
Believe it or not, there are antidepressants on the market for dogs. You could also consider increasing your pup’s activity level to get his spirits back up again. Be sure to discuss all the options with your vet and thank you for being a concerned pet owner and making sure your pup has a happy, healthy life.
Ask the Shelter: One of my dogs died. How can I help my other dog grieve?
Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. If you have a question, contact Jennifer Vanderau, publications and promotions consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org or 263-5791.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Ask CVAS: My dog is obese - is that bad?
