Obesity Poses Serious Health Hazards to Pets
My-Dog.info > Dogs, Diet & Food
Obesity affects pets adversely in many ways. Overweight pets
tend to play and exercise less and don't live as long as healthy
pets do. In fact, the list of harmful effects of obesity on pets
is a long one.
Overweight pets have a lower resistance to infection and tend
to be less able to fight off infectious diseases. Obese pets also
have an increased incidence of arthritis (degenerative joint
disease), spinal disc problems, and torn knee ligaments than
normal pets. Overweight pets also have more problems moving about
than their thinner counterparts.
Obesity leads to impaired endurance during exercise, increased
fatigue, and high blood pressure. The increased workload on the
heart contributes to an increase in heart disease in overweight
pets, leading eventually to congestive heart failure.
Diagnosis is more difficult in obese pets, because it is more
difficult to auscultate or palpate a fat pet, or to get proper
samples. Fat pets are at a greater risk during anaesthesia and
surgery since they have reduced lung function, decreased liver
and kidney function, greater risk of wound infection, and require
more anaesthetic than normal pets.
The incidence of skin problems is 40 per cent higher in
overweight dogs than dogs at optimum body weight. Because of the
insulating properties of fat, overweight pets are less able to
endure hot weather, and many become more irritable.
Other problems associated with obesity include:
- Diabetes mellitus-Pets that are obese
have an increased risk and severity of diabetes mellitus.
- Gastrointestinal problems- Overweight
pets have increased constipation, flatulence and stomach
ulcers.
- Increased cancer rate- There is also a
higher cancer rate in overweight pets. For example, the
incidence of cancer is 50 per cent higher in overweight
dogs than in healthy dogs.
- Reduced liver function- Due to the
accumulation of fat in the liver, the liver's ability to
function can be compromised in obese pets.
- High blood pressure- high blood pressure
(hypertension) worsens with obesity, and hyperstension
increases the risk of kidney, heart and vascular
diseases.
- Impaired hormone release- the release of
growth hormone is impaired in overweight pets, as is
their reproductive efficiency.
All these effects contribute to a reduced life span and affect
the quality of a pet's life. Pets that are healthy and physically
fit tend to live longer, are happier, and enjoy life more.
Consult your veterinarian to find out how you can keep your pet
physically fit and healthy.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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