Problems Of Having A Fat Dog

The term ‘puppy fat' comes from canines. So it is clear that most people find fat dogs adorable. But your cute and cuddly puppy could be in serious trouble due to obesity! The health problems of fat dogs are numerous. And owning a fat dog also has its problems.

There are some fat dog breeds; the dogs of this breed tend to pile on weight faster. For example, Labradors get really fat if you pamper them too much. But you would rarely find a fat greyhound. So if your dog is from a ‘fat breed'

Dogs are very much like human beings. They too need exercise and workouts. If your dog overeats, he or she will grow fat. So if you do not want to have problems with a fat dog, you must not over feed your dog or allow it to be lazy.

Fat Dog Problems | Fat Dog Health Problems | Dog Obesity Causes

Here are some critical problems that fat dogs have to face.

Breathing problems
Some dogs become so fat that they visibly grasp for breath. Such dogs cannot move with ease and become very inactive.

Bone n Ligament Damage
The dog's body is not equipped to carry so much weight. Obese dogs often have ligament tears and joint injuries.

Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the biggest problems that fat dogs have to suffer. Diabetic dogs get very sick, lose eyesight and die quickly. Diabetes affects every aspect of the dog's health.

Heart Problems
Dogs are generally prone to heart problems because their heart beats very fast. And once fat starts depositing around the dog's heart, it can easily have a heart attack.

Indigestion
Overweight dogs become constipated and gassy. They are unable to pass stools and become very uncomfortable. Sometimes, they even have a rectal tear due to chronic constipation. Layers of fat can obstruct the passage of stools.

Unable To Reproduce
Mating for reproduction is the basic need of all dogs. But dogs that become obese are hormonal and disturbed. They are often unable to reproduce or even mate with dogs of the opposite sex.

Lowered Stamina
Just like fat people have problems being active, fat dogs also lose out on their stamina. They become lazy and prefer to lie around instead of playing.

Deceased Immunity
A fat dog is never a healthy dog. Despite or rather, due to their bulk, these canines have very weak immunity. They are unable to fight of the most basic infections and diseases.

So if you love your dog, don't allow him or her to grow fat. Obesity in dogs claims their life early.

Story first published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014, 18:03 [IST]
Read more about: dogs pet care