Slight rant - overweight dogs

[IceyBlueSibes]

I know this was brought up sometime ago, but I cannot believe the amount of dogs that come through work that are overweight, and some I would definetly consider obese. About 80% of the dogs are overweight - some are slightly chubby, the type that really isn't a huge issue, a majority could use some type of diet and much needed exercise, while some more could really use some much needed help. It's hard to describe the size of some of these dogs, but when it came to feeding time --- I understood why.

We know that not everyone knows about good quality dog foods. There were maybe four, out of the 90 that were there, that had good foods (Nutro & Wellness, even though they changed their recipe; Natures Recipe, and Chicken Soup), but the rest were fed your usual store bought foods ANND had dog bones (Milkbones) and treats with it!! I'm not talking about maybe one dog biscuit, it was nearly 5-6 treats in their bowl. Mind you this is twice a day, and I can only imagine how many treats the dog gets as snacks while they're at home And some of the dogs are only fed once a day, but are fed 4 cups of food! I'm sorry, but that's a bit too much at one meal IMO. And with the breed it went to (as I said, most were labradors, and others were golden retrievers), it certainly was way too much.

I feel so bad for the dogs. How can people let their dogs get that way? My mom is one who likes the dogs to have a little more meat on their bones... which I can't stand. Her version of a little is too much for me. I like having a lean dog. The lady staying with us had the nerve (being very uneducated about dogs, but she thinks she's knows everything better than you) to say that the dogs are healthier when they're overweight. WHAT?!? I said "Yeah right! The dog has more health problems, just like with humans, when they're overweight! They have more joint/bone problems, heart problems, etc. They're much healthier when they're at a proper weight!"

MAN, I just wish I could educate EVERY SINGLE dog owner about some things. Dont you?

Sorry, I had to get that off my chest. I go in there every day, looking at all of the overweight dogs and how sorry I feel for them. They have a hard time walking up the stairs, or have joint problems on top of it (most are labs). There was a BC there that was about 4 times the size a BC should be (weight, not as in huge, big dog - FAT).

Thanks for listening.

[Shelties]

Remember awhile back there was an obese Sheltie because the owner fed him nothing but beer and donuts? I think owners with obese dogs should be charge with animal cruelty as much as those who starve their dogs to death.

[elegy]

it's not even necessarily a matter of poor quality food (though that doesn't' help), it's a matter of TOO FREAKING MUCH. i don't get it. i really don't. i work as a vet tech, so i see dogs day in and day out, and so many of them are fat. and so many people either don't realize they're fat, or feel helpless that they're fat, or are even PROUD of how big and fat their dogs are. it blows my mind.

too many calories in and not enough calories expended equals fat dog. it's not rocket science. it really isn't.

[Mufasas Mommy]

The last time Mufasa was to the vet, she said he was PERFECT weight and lean. He wasn't skinny and was muscular (considering he RUNS all day long!!). They told me to keep doing what I am doing..and I still do it to this day! I was soo proud of myself!!

[Ritz459]

Ya, obese dogs tick me off to. I bathed two Lhasa Apsos Satudray and they were like little balls with legs. It really makes me mad when the senior dogs are extreamly overweight. This poor old Golden Retreiver, Savannah, is an almost constant border at PawPrints. She is sooooooo fat, and on top of that, she has hip problems. The owners are trying to slim her down, but....I think prevention would have been the best cure in that situation.

Damaris said that two dogs came in that were extreamly obese. And guess what....the owner feed them a BOWEL of milk bones in the morning! And then a bunch of food at night. Damaris told the guy, "Do you realize how many calories is in one milk bone? They are like a Sinckers bar to us."

And fat does not equal buff! I don't know how many times I hear, "he isn't fat, just buff." *snorts* ya right.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Originally Posted by elegy

it's not even necessarily a matter of poor quality food (though that doesn't' help), it's a matter of TOO FREAKING MUCH. i don't get it. i really don't. i work as a vet tech, so i see dogs day in and day out, and so many of them are fat. and so many people either don't realize they're fat, or feel helpless that they're fat, or are even PROUD of how big and fat their dogs are. it blows my mind.

too many calories in and not enough calories expended equals fat dog. it's not rocket science. it really isn't.

Oh I agree with that, but it was a matter of having a low quality food, fed WITH the treats... *sigh* I can see you share my disgust. LOL That's why I was shocked at one of the labs being fed, ONCE a day and it was 4 cups of food. I think a lot of these people free feed, and that's why they're given so much food at one time. Their dog probably picks all day, but little do they know you really can't do that at daycare/boarding. Half the dogs put the food all over the rooms and kennels, or they never eat it. So it's wasted.

Ritz: That's exactly why I'm trying to keep weight off of Denali. I already know she has bad hips (or knees, one of the two) and I don't want to jeopardize that anymore. I've finally been able to cut her down a few pounds, and I've seen a difference in how her energy is and how she walks.

I've heard a lot of people say "My dog's not fat, he's got a lot of muscle" .... >.> Yeah, that's why I can grab a handful off your dogs stomach?

Shelties: I completely agree! Being obese is very harmful to a dog. I do remember the dog we brought up being fed donuts and beer.

Good for you Mufasa! My vet is impressed with my dogs weights too, but I have to say that Denali is a little on the rolly side, but we're working on it, and I'm seeing improvements. She's nothing compared to these dogs at work though, she'd be considered slim compared to them.

[Cassiepeia]

I hate seeing overweight dogs too. It breaks my heart. If the person is aware that the dog is overweight and does nothing to change this...I consider it cruelty. Especially considering all the health problems and shortened life span associated with carrying too much weight.

Cass.

[linnie]

I think we need to take into account that some dogs do tend to lean towards weight problems.
My little Chloe was on a very strict diet yet she held onto her weight as if her life depended on it.
I dont like thin dogs. If you can see their backbone then I am of the opinion that they are undernourished.
My pup Sophy was definately underweight when I got her and is now just right according to the vet and although Bella is a heavier build the vet says she is fine yet friends have said she is to fat.
I agree that to allow an animal to become obese is a form of cruelty but lets not mistake a little weight with the same opinion, after all some of us are thin some of us are plump That doesnt make us unhealthy

[Kuchi]

Obese dogs aren't good. I think more exercise is in order. Do you ever see a marathon runner run an obese dog? I think its laziness. A dog needs exercise.
And a backbone shouldn't be seen. Ribs shouldn't be seen either but you should feel them, that's ideal.
Some dogs do gain weight easier than others, food amount should be considered as well as energy level.

[IceyBlueSibes]

Originally Posted by linnie

I think we need to take into account that some dogs do tend to lean towards weight problems.
My little Chloe was on a very strict diet yet she held onto her weight as if her life depended on it.
I dont like thin dogs. If you can see their backbone then I am of the opinion that they are undernourished.
My pup Sophy was definately underweight when I got her and is now just right according to the vet and although Bella is a heavier build the vet says she is fine yet friends have said she is to fat.
I agree that to allow an animal to become obese is a form of cruelty but lets not mistake a little weight with the same opinion, after all some of us are thin some of us are plump That doesnt make us unhealthy

Oh most definetly. But I wasn't really talking about those dogs. I was talking about the ones that are overweight, for obvious reasons. They are fed half a bowl of treats, and the other half is their dog food.

I know there are some dogs are you can *kinda* see their back bones, or the last couple ribs (isn't it the greyhounds?). As in lean, I don't mean lean to where you can see bones. I like a dog to look nice, sleek and healthy. For example: I love Novel's weimi's. They are very sleek, slender, but not underweight. They look beautiful!

Kuchi: I think you're right. A lot of people have a misconception that dogs playing in the backyard is exercise. Little do they realize that a couple walks a day can make a big difference in their dog, mentally and physically.

And I know that with some dogs, as they age, tend to put on some weight. When I saw how much, and what the dogs were being fed... I was shocked.

[rottielover]

unfortunetly, some people have the mentality of bigger is better...Poor dogs

[Cassiepeia]

Linnie...I'm of the same opinion as Sarah, I'm not talking about dogs that are ever so slightly over weight or have gained weight due to age or health problems.

I'm talking about 'owner made them fat' dogs. Dogs who are not just slightly overweight but F-A-T. lol

And lets not bring people into this...yet again.

Cass.

[elegy]

Originally Posted by linnie

I think we need to take into account that some dogs do tend to lean towards weight problems.

absolutely. mushroom would weigh 500 pounds if it were up to him and it's sometimes hard to keep the weight off of him, but i do it anyway, much to his chagrin.

lean dogs tend to be healthier and live longer.

[britishbandit]

I know exactly how you feel Icey. I saw that too when I volunteered the adopt-a-thon at Petsmart. A little pudge is no biggie, but a lot of the dogs I was were 2:3 in ratio......width:length. Disgusting. I felt so bad for the dogs. True, some dogs have health problems, but how probable is it that so many in a matter of hours coming in there, would have some problem that caused it? Other than overfeeding and lack of exercise?