Common Causes Of Obesity In Dogs

obesity, weight - By Staff Writer on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 12:08

Just like with human obesity, canine obesity can come from a variety of causes.  As an owner if your dog is becoming over weight, it is up to you to determine what the cause is.  Assuming your dog has gradually begun to put on weight you should first look at any changes in environment or diet.  If your dog has suddenly begun to get fat, you should seek veterinary assistance immediately as it could be a sign of more serious problems.  Below are some of the most common causes of canine obesity.

Non-Medical Causes

Over Feeding
The most common cause of canine obesity is over feeding.  Many times owners will give the right amount of food at meal time but forget to include all of the treats, snacks, and table scraps that the dog is fed.  Other times the food that the dog is eating, large quantities of people food or the wrong type of food for their dog, is the problem.  As dogs move through life stages, their nutritional requirements change and owners should be aware of any fluctuation of weight as they begin to age.

Decreased Activity
As dogs get older they tend to become less active.  As they move out of the puppy stage where they have extra bursts of energy they can if allowed become couch potatoes.  The more sedentary the life of a dog the fatter they will get.  If you live in the city without a yard, you are the only one that can provide your dog with exercise so you must walk your dog or get someone to get them out and moving.  Even if you are fortunate to have a yard, if your dog is alone it will likely not exercise as much.  Get out and toss the ball or take your dog for a run to the local dog park.  As an owner it is your job to ensure your dog is properly exercised.

Genetics
Sadly some dogs just put on more weight than others.  If you have a breed that is genetically predisposition to gain weight you must be extra vigilant on what you feed and how much exercise your dog gets.

Age
As dogs age they are inclined to be less active.  Often older dogs suffer from joint and ligament ailments from overuse and their metabolisms slow down.  All of these problems lead to the potential increase in weight.  Food should be appropriate to the age of the dog and your vet will be able to suggest a proper diet for a senior dog.

Medications
Some medications can effect a dogs metabolism.  Medications in the corticosteroid, barbiturate, and benzodiaznepine categories can cause your dog to gain weight.   If your dog has an illness that needs medication, ask your vet what the side effects are.  Your vet will be able to assist you in working to prevent weight gain in your pup.

Medical Causes

Post Surgical Weight Gain
If your dog has undergone extensive surgery on her limbs or joints it is not uncommon for your dog to put on weight with the inactivity.  It is imperative that you work with your vet to prevent weight gain after surgery as it will put more strain on the dogs body.  As your pup heals you need to monitor food intake and exercise carefully to insure they get enough nutrition to heal but do not gain weight.

Hypothyroidism
Like with people a slow thyroid can cause deficient hormones that will increase a dogs weight.  Low levels of thyroxine, which helps to regulate the metabolism, caused by hypothyroidism will decrease a dogs metabolic rate causing a normal dog to become overweight.  Your vet will be able to diagnose this and medication can be given to regulate your dogs hormone levels returning them to normal. 

Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease is an illness of the adrenal gland.  The adrenal gland produces a high level of glucocorticoids causing an increase in appetite and weight gain.  A veterinarian will assist in treating your dog and help you to start a weight loss program. 

Other Diseases
There are a variety of other diseases that can cause weight gain in dogs.  They are less common and a veterinarian will help you to diagnose and treat the illness and symptoms including weight gain.  Illnesses that effect the pancreas, pituitary gland and brain among other organ systems can affect your dogs activity levels and increase the chances of your dog getting fat.

If you think your dog is starting to get fat and there have been no major changes in their diet, activity levels or environment you should seek veterinary help immediately.  Your vet will help you narrow down the cause of the problem and help to treat it or set up a diet that will keep your dog healthy and happy.  Obesity can lead to many serious illnesses so you must take action before your dog becomes ill.