Health Problems Related to Obesity

“So,” you tell yourself. “He likes to eat. What’s the big deal?”

Plenty. Next time he flashes those big brown “I’m soooo hungry” puppy dog eyes at you, consider that a fat dog faces an array of health problems.

He's more likely to be at a greater risk for developing or exacerbating:

Osteoarthritis Cardiac disease Respiratory conditions Heat or exercise intolerance Dermatological problems affecting skin, hair and coat Compromised immune function Increased surgical and anesthetic risks Cruciate/intervertebral disk rupture

Any of which may add up to a shorter life. An independent study by Purina demonstrated that dogs that had their food intake restricted and were kept at an ideal weight throughout their lives had a median lifespan 15% greater than those dogs fed free choice.