Europe and Fat Dogs

[GSDOWNER]

I am saying nothing

Experts estimate that between 25-40% of Europe’s dogs are overweight or obese and are therefore at risk of long-term health problems1. Research has shown that overweight dogs may live up to two years less than those that are at normal weight 2 and the list of serious health problems linked to obesity include heart disease3, diabetes4 and osteoarthritis5.

Being overweight also reduces the quality of life of many dogs, as they are unable to exercise without becoming too tired, out of breath or too hot. This in turn reduces the amount of fun that owners can have with their pet, and potentially damages the pet/owner relationship.
According to Dr Alex German, who runs Europe’s first companion animal weight management referral clinic at the University of Liverpool (www.pet-slimmers.com), the rise in dog obesity has a number of basic causes: “Our modern, work-oriented lifestyles mean that many pets do not get the exercise that they should. Instead of forging the owner/pet bond with the experience of shared exercise and play, many owners use treats as a way of showing their love for their dog.”
The combination of too many calories taken in and not enough calories burnt off, is the basic reason why our pets are putting on weight, says Dr German.
“Of course, prevention is better than cure,” he says, “and getting into good habits when you first get a new dog is the best strategy. But in cases where the dog has become overweight, the answer is to follow a diet and exercise plan devised by a veterinarian.”
However, owners often find it difficult to stick to a weight loss programme, especially if their pet seems to be continually hungry.

See rest of article at:

http://www.dogmagazine.net/archives/...n-of-fat-dogs/

[LOVEGSD]

Unfortunately there are a lot of overweight dogs out there and I think it's really sad to be honest.

I have to say I remember meeting this chocolate lab down the park when Diesel was about 1, and if you remember I was worried about his weight at that time because people kept commenting on how "skinny" he was, well this lab was massive and looked old. The owner of the Lab commented on how thin Diesel was and when I asked how old her Lab was she said she was 1!!!! Seriously this dog was so fat, she could barely chase after Diesel and the owner had the cheek to say my dog was skinny!!!

GSDOwner - I don't think George is fat! He never looks it in any pics you've posted! Do people say he is??

i thought my honeybear wos skinny when she wos about 1,but the vet said she wos slightly overweight,i think they go through a looking skinny stage ,when they are growing.

[LOVEGSD]

I think you're right....Diesel was what I would call gangly, all legs and ears until he was nearly 3...lol