One in every 14 dogs in the UK is overweight and their health is at risk; Here are the facts you need to know this National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.
Byline: By, Chloe Bowen
October 13 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day which is a reminder to all dog owners that their weight is important to their health, just as it is for us.
Pet obesity is on the rise, with one in 14 dogs in the UK now considered overweight or obese, so it's important to know how obesity can affect them.
As a nation of dog lovers, we can't help but spoil them sometimes, but being overweight can have lasting consequences and can even be fatal.
Tails.com has shared some top tips to help your dog trim down in a healthy way and maintain an appropriate weight.
How to tell if a dog is overweight
While many owners use food as a way to shower their dogs with love, it could be doing more harm than good. Overweight dogs are more prone to illnesses and don't live as long as dogs at an ideal weight.
All breeds have standard weight guidelines. And while this is a good place to start, every individual dog is different. Rather than the numbers on the scale, what you should really pay attention to is the amount of extra coverage on your dog's body.
To understand if your dog is under, ideal or overweight, vets often use the body condition score BCS test.
The test is measured on a 9 point or 5 point scale, and assesses your dog's fat levels across their ribs, tummy and waist. Your dog should have an hourglass figure when viewed overhead and even breeds like bulldogs where many people believe they will be more rounded should have a waist.
You should be able to feel the ribs through a little fat covering and they may even be slightly visible in places. And the tummy should tuck up from the rib cage, rather than being a straight line across.
If your dog is more barrel shaped and you can't feel their ribs easily without applying a lot of pressure, then your dog is likely overweight. If you're unsure, your vet or vet nurse will be able to help you and even show you exactly what to look for when it comes to your dog.
Health implications for overweight dogs
Not only does the lifespan of an overweight dog decrease, but it can seriously impact your pup's quality of life. The extra weight can put added pressure on bones and joints, potentially leading to arthritis in later years.
But it can also put your dog's life at risk by contributing to breathing difficulties, heart problems and diabetes.
Top tips to reduce your dog's weight
There are three key areas to consider when managing your dog's weight loss in a healthy way.
Dog diet food
Feeding...
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