Overweight dogs are more likely to have shorter lives than those at ideal body weights. A study, conducted on 50,000 dogs across 12 popular dog breeds for over two decades, and published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, says that the lifespan of dogs that are overweight is up to two and a half years shorter than dogs with ideal weight. Pet obesity is steadily on the rise and, in some countries, one in three dogs and cats is overweight. Despite our affection for our pets, many pet owners are unaware of the serious health implications of dogs carrying extra weight. What they don’t understand that, if their beloved pet is too heavy, they are more likely to suffer from other problems like joint disease, breathing issues, and certain types of cancer, as well as having a lowered quality of life. These health issues can impact how long they live. For many of us, giving food, particularly tasty table scraps and tidbits, is the way we show affection for our pets. But being careful about what we feed our dog can go a long way in keeping them in good shape and helping them to be around for many years to come.
