Being Overweight Shaves Nearly a Year from Your Dog’s Life, Especially in These 5 Breeds

Story at-a-glance

• Recent research suggests that dogs that are overweight at middle age may not live as long as dogs of normal weight.
• A study of approximately 5,500 dogs from 10 different breeds showed that those who are overweight at middle age can have their lives cut short by up to 10 months. This is especially prevalent in certain breeds, including Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles and Shih Tzus.
• Overweight dogs can also suffer from a long list of costly obesity-related conditions that can compromise their mobility and quality of life.
• Orthopedic problems are occurring in ever-younger pets, and with greater severity, due to obesity. Dogs that are nearly immobile from a combination of weight and joint or bone problems are becoming commonplace.
• Helping your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight involves a combination of feeding species-appropriate nutrition in portion-controlled meals, and insuring your pet is getting plenty of regular exercise.

By Dr. Becker

If your dog is overweight or obese, you now have another huge incentive to help him slim down. According to recent research conducted by scientists from the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in collaboration with Banfield Pet Hospital, being overweight shortens a dog’s lifespan.

Information was collected from veterinarians on approximately 5,500 pet dogs across 10 popular breeds throughout the U.S., using body condition scores for neutered male and spayed female dogs between 6.5 and 8.5 years of age.

The study results show that dogs that are overweight at middle age may not be around as long as those at a healthy weight. The research suggests that being too heavy can shave up to 10 months off a dog’s life, and this is particularly apparent in five breeds: the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle and the Shih Tzu.

Overweight Dogs Also Acquire Devastating Obesity-Related Diseases

One thing the Waltham Centre study does not address is the quality of life of overweight and obese pets, many of which suffer from mobility problems and other obesity-related conditions for the final months of their lives.

Because so many pets are overweight these days, it’s common for veterinarians to see animals suffering from health conditions secondary to their obesity, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory problems, and kidney disease.

According to Petplan USA, in 2011, insurance claims for pets with diabetes increased over 250 percent from the prior year. Claims for heart disease rose over 30 percent, and for arthritic pets, nearly 350 percent. Orthopedic conditions are occurring in younger and younger pets, and with greater severity, because so many animals are overweight. Dogs that are nearly immobile from a combination of weight and joint or bone problems are becoming commonplace. Otherwise alert, healthy dogs are being euthanized because they simply can’t get around anymore, which destroys their quality of life.

How to Help a Heavy Dog Reach and Maintain His Ideal Weight

Excess weight on the relatively small sized body of a dog has serious and more immediate consequences than added weight on a human body. Couple that with the already short average lifespan of canines, and it’s easy to see how quickly and completely a dog’s life can be devastated by obesity.

If your dog is too heavy, isn’t it time to get him safely down to a healthy weight, so you can have him around as long as possible, and with a good quality of life?

My top three recommendations for helping an overweight pet lose weight:

• Feed a balanced, species-appropriate diet. Regardless of his weight, your dog still needs the right nutrition for his species, which means food that is high in animal protein and moisture, with low or no grain content.

• Practice portion control — usually a morning and evening meal, carefully measured. A high protein, low carb diet with the right amount of calories for weight loss, controlled through the portions you feed, is what will take the weight off your dog. And don’t forget to factor in any calories from treats.

• Regularly exercise your pet. Daily exercise, including at least 20 minutes of consistent aerobic activity, will help your pet burn fat and increase muscle tone.

For more information: "How to Help Your Chunky Dog Release Excess Pounds." 

Sharing Thanksgiving With Your Pets

Waiting For Our Humans To Come Back (Photos)

By Ask Marion  -  Photos by the UCLA Shutterbug

Dog Peeks Into the Abyss of Death and Wags Tail

Dog stabbed 13 times licks the faces of caregivers

By JACK NOYES Updated 11:17 PM PDT, Tue, Apr 14, 2009

“Simone” was found Sunday morning by Rancho Cucamonga city workers assigned to clean up graffiti. The pup was barely alive.

A 32-pound beagle mix was left for dead in a graffiti strewn alley after some punk stabbed the pup 13 times.

She lived to wag her tail about it.

“Simone” was found Sunday morning by Rancho Cucamonga city workers assigned to clean up graffiti. The pup was barely alive. A city veterinarian said the canine suffered stab wounds to the neck and body and was found suffering hypothermia after loosing a great deal of blood.

Simone underwent 2 hours of emergency surgery at the new surgical facility at Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care and Services Department. The dog needed 23 staples and sutures. Astonishingly, her esophagus, vital organs and arteries were not punctured.

Simone is expected to make a full recovery and to be put up for adoption.

“Despite her terrible ordeal, Simone is a sweet and affectionate girl who is still able to wag her tail and lick the faces of the veterinary staff. We hope to find her a loving home if she recovers,” Animal Services Director Joe Pulcinella said.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Rancho Cucamonga Station, is currently investigating this crime. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Station at (909) 477-2800 or WE-TIP at 1 (800) 78-CRIME.

The Animal Care and Services Department is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who is guilty of this cruel and senseless act.

The attack occurred sometime before 8:11 a.m. the morning of Sunday, April 5th, near the intersection of Redhill Country Club Drive and Carnelian Street. 

For additional information, please contact the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Care & Services Department at (909) 466-PETS (7387). Donations for Simone’s care can be sent to: The Animal Care and Adoption Center, PO Box 807, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729-9963. Please make checks payable to the Community Foundation and put Animal Center in the memo line.

Father Arrested for Allegedly Killing Family Dog in Front of Children

Where there is a will…

Domestic and Animal Abuse

Glenn Beck – Teen punks murder American Hero’s Dog

Adoption Success Story

A Little Deer Humor

Oh, Deer!  Matt’s Bicycle Bang-Up  

Where in the world was Matt Lauer Monday morning? Brazil? Cambodia? The exotic Seychelle Islands?

Somewhere considerably less scenic, unfortunately — the TODAY host was laid up with an injured shoulder after a mishap while bicycling on Long Island. “He was riding his bike over the weekend and he had a run-in with a deer,” co-host Meredith Vieira explained. 

Vieira added that although Lauer’s shoulder was hurt, his sense of humor was intact: He joked in an email that he thought “the deer was hired by the competition.” 

“I’d hire the deer — but just to graze him,” Vieira quipped to Weekend TODAY anchor Lester Holt, who filled in for Lauer.

Vieira said that the deer apparently leapt in front of Lauer, who slammed on his brakes to avoid a collision. The sudden stop threw him off the bike and onto his shoulder. Luckily, Lauer was wearing a helmet.

Lauer, 51, is an avid cyclist who has ridden a bike on TODAY on a number of occasions, most recently around the Olympic velodrome in Beijing. He also rode a bike last year in the Netherlands during his annual “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” globe-girdling trip.

Matt is scheduled to have surgery on the shoulder Monday afternoon. But in true show-biz tradition, he is hoping to be back in his anchor chair on Wednesday. Viewers can convey their best wishes to Matt by commenting on this post. However, viewers who want to leave their best wishes for the deer are on their own.

Posted:  MSNBC – Monday, March 23, 2009 8:03 AM by Rick Schindler

 

AND GUESS WHO CAME HOME FOR DINNER?  WATCH YOUR DOGGIE DOORS~

This fawn followed this beagle home —- right through the doggie door —- in the Bittinger, Maryland area recently. The owner came home to find the visitor had made himself right at home. This hit the 6 o’clock news big time.  

Too Cute…!!

First Dog Survey By iVillage

President-elect Obama promised his daughters a puppy if he won

Vote: What breed should the First Dog be?  

President-elect Obama promised his daughters a puppy if he won the election.  iVillage Survey asked:  What breed should the first-puppy be??

Results After 18,485 Votes:

1.  A Rescue Mutt

2.  A Goldendoodle

3.  Labrador Retriever

4.  Beagle (like LBJ)

5.  Maltese (don’t shed)

6.  Shih Tzu

7.  Boston Terrior

8.  French Poodle