Dogs

        About 95% of overweight dogs are caused by their owners. As the number of overweight dogs increases, many owners do not take it seriously and even think chubby dogs are cuter. In fact, like humans, fat dogs also face many problems.

        1. The vicious cycle caused by gaining weight

        After dogs become overweight, their limb joints have to bear greater pressure. Therefore, overweight dogs are more prone to arthritis. Once affected, dogs become reluctant to walk due to pain. The calories from food cannot be burned through exercise, making the dog even fatter. In addition, obesity can also cause diabetes and heart disease. Their average lifespan is shorter by one year than healthy dogs.

        2. Weight loss makes overweight dogs healthier

        First, you need to reduce the supply of dog treats. Initially, dogs may feel a bit uncomfortable and try various methods to please you, but for the dog's health, you must be determined. For main meals, you can implement the “small meals more frequently” approach, so dogs won’t always be thinking about snacks. To achieve better weight loss results, you can also choose low-calorie dog food.

        Besides controlling diet, owners must ensure dogs get enough daily exercise. Because some dogs are already very heavy, simple running may worsen their joint damage. If conditions permit, you can take the dog swimming. This not only consumes calories but also the buoyancy of water reduces joint pressure.

        If the dog already has diabetes or heart disease, the owner needs to discuss and develop a weight loss plan suitable to the dog's condition with a veterinarian. Never just lose weight for the sake of losing weight.