Keeping in shape

 I know I've talked about this before, but I feel the need to comment again.  This wasn't said specifically to me, but it very well could have been.  Someone on social media posted a picture of their dog - a Doberman.  It was a side-ish pic and said something about he and his dog having completed a 10 mile run.  

The Doberman's coat was a shiny black and you could see his muscles on his legs and chest.  You could also see his back 2-3 ribs a little bit.  And someone commented about "torturing" his dog (by running) when he should be feeding him.

We have such a skewed perspective in this country of health - both in ourselves and our pets.  When I see a picture of a chunky dog, I feel sorry for him or her.  At least with people, we have choices.  Really, our dogs do not.  Too little exercise combined with too much food and/or unhealthy foods literally shortens their lives.

Most vets consider obesity as the number one life threatening dog illness.  It effects every single part of the body.  Here are some things that obesity causes that can contribute to death and certainly decreases the quality of life for your dog:

  • Arthritis 
  • Heart disease: 
  • Diabetes 
  • Respiratory disease
  • Cancer
  • Urinary bladder stones
  • Anesthetic complications - meaning if your dogs needs to be put under anesthesia for any reason the are more likely to die because of the added weight on the lungs and respiratory system.  
  • Other health issues: Cushing's disease, back problems, cruciate ligament problems, heatstroke.
Dogs were also born to run and move.  Some breeds certainly need more physical exercise than others - a Border Collie needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation whereas a Chihuahua can be happy with a short walk.

Trust me as someone who has run with my dogs for years.  If they don't want to run, you are not going to make them!  So to say that dogs was being "tortured" was ridiculous.  As I've said before there are times to NOT run with your dog - like when it is extremely hot outside, but this person was implying that running at all was terrible.

My dogs are happy, healthy and in shape - which includes an absence of excess fat.   

 

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