Getting way to common.

[britishbandit]

I spent the day at Petsmart today for the adopt-a-thon, and couldn't believe the amount of grossly overweight dogs that came in. I've never seen so many obese dogs in my life. Some were just slightly over, but far too many that were so huge they waddled, not walked. Making it seem a serious effort just to get around. And they weren't even that old, asking the owners the ages, they were all between 3 and 8 years old.
Was this just an off day where all the overweight dogs in the city came in, or is this a problem here and or elsewhere across the world?
The few dogs I saw that were good weights were the puppies that came in.

[Cassiepeia]

Sadly this is all too common all over the world. People think they're doing a good thing by "spoiling" their dogs, when really it's abuse.
I mean it's easy to let the weight thing get out of hand but you'll find most people will acknowledge the fact that their dog (or cat) is overweight and they still do nothing about it. I feel sorry for the pets.

Cass.

[k9hullio_sam]

One of the german shepherd at the farm is WAY over weight. It is to the point that he breaths heavy when he lays down. BUT, he doesn't waddle yet. I feel bad for him, but they don't have the time, and they just don't care enough. It is a sad sad thing.

[IceyBlueSibes]

My boyfriend's family's dog is over weight, and has been ever since I've met him. His mom was told numerous times by the vet and me, that he needed to lose weight. So, she buys SD Weight Loss formula, and the minute the dog wants to run around (the vet even said for him to exercise because food won't do any good if there's not exercise) she'd fuss at him and make him lay down. She has been told once again, that he needs to lose 15 pounds. I take him for a walk around the block, and he starts to get very slow, and will actually limp a bit.

I feel so bad for dogs that are over weight. Denali is getting a little on the rolly polly side, and I hate it. She already has bad hips, so her putting on any amount of weight isn't good.

[EricaLee715]

Next time I'm at the kennel I'll have to take a picture of one of the dalmations that comes in. His name is Sparky and if I have to guess I'd say he's 30-50 pounds overweight. It makes me sick because the poor thing has trouble standing up from a laying down position. When he and his JRT brother (also disgustingly overweight) come in we have to give them a run that's 6-20 so that Sparky is able to turn around and then we have to line the run with dry deck and blankets just to make it easier for them to get up and down. Even telling owners that their dogs are unhealthy doesn't help. But you're right...it is entirely too common to see grossly overweight dogs.

[Cassiepeia]

It's so sad to hear these stories of overweight dogs. Makes me want to open up a 'fat camp' for dogs. lol Ahhh...but still the problem would remain - the owners.

There needs to be more awareness about this problem in my opinion. People just aren't confronted by the problems enough. They are blind to what they're doing to their dogs.

Cass.

[Beryl]

I don't understand it since we are the ones feeding these dogs. Granted, no exercise will retard weight loss but it still comes down to calories in and calories out. If my dog becomes overweight, it is my fault.

[bigdoglover]

My mom has an overweight BC....the vet told her the dog needed to lose 15-20, but mom said "well, she is big boned"....what????? I have tried for 5 years to explain to her about the breed, the requirements, etc, but obviously, she doesn't listen.

[KennelMom]

Overweight dogs are way to common. I think that's part of the reason some people think greyhounds are "funny looking." John Q. Public is just so used to seeing a fat dog that seeing a dog that's naturally built to be thin seems weird to them.

My biggest peeve are fat greyhounds. We boarded a former foster once that was so fat that I wouldn't have recognized him if I didn't know his name....and yes, I did say something to the people about it.

[sammy]

It's quite common here too. I was actually told by a guy at our dog park that my dogs are way too thin They are on the thin side of healthy because they do agility and rally - less stress on their body that way. He has two pugs that are so fat you can't feel ribs not matter how hard you sink your fingers in. They already have trouble breathing because of their little noses I think it's downright cruel to let them be morbidly obese.
People see a morbidly obese human and they think it's unattractive or gross even. They see fat dogs and they think they are cute
The ones we see most here are fat labs so when I see a well bred, well cared for, fit lab these days it almost brings tears to mt eyes

[IceyBlueSibes]

Something that just came to mind... my mom likes to see a little bit of fat on dogs. Not deathly overweight, but she doesn't like to see them "healthy skinny". I would keep Sarge at a really good weight, where his belly would tuck under nicely and he looked really good. My mom would always complain to me "He's too thin! Put some weight on that dog!" LOL I'm like "MOM! He's FINE.. I like him this way! Less stress for him!"

I've also shown her pictures of some really nice APBT/Am. Staffs... and some of them she thinks are too skinny.

You brought up a good point sammy. People see overweight people, and they think it's disgusting and comment on how they need to do something about it, but yet THEY are the ones that have a dog at home that's 20 pounds over weight.

[Glitzie]

We always give lectures to our clients about killing thier dogs with kindness.

[ewarp]

At work, we actually put little WW (for weight watchers) stickers on certain runs to remind staff and volunteers to be more careful about measuring food and doling out treats for those dogs.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

This is one of those things that can start to be changed with a good diet, like I mentioned modeling in the other thread. Missie's gained weight since I switched her to Canidae, so I'm concerned about that. I still have much to learn about reading dog food labels, methinks. On our walks, 98% of the dogs on our block are overweight. One neighbor got their puppy last Christmas, so it's only a year or so old, and it's already overweight. My next door neighbor's dogs somehow stay thin, and there's one Mini Pin on the block that's young and healthy.

[anaconda]

Today some one told me Finn was very thin, in the tone of voice some people use when they're sure they're right and they want you to know what a cruel person you are. They had a golden retriever who was similar in colour to Finn, not only stocky as many goldens are, but also rather fat. I nearly said something, but I managed to hold my tongue. Being fourteen is so inconvenient.