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Spoiling our pets to a fault is one thing that pet owners know how to do very well, but the right way to get them spoilt is another thing a lot of pet owners do not know how to do, some people think that feeding their pets with junks is a way to show them, love, but unhealthy feeding can have side effects on our pet, a major side effect that unhealthy eating can give to our pet is obesity. However, obesity is not only caused as a result of unhealthy feeding as there are other associated factors. I want to write about the danger of obesity for our pets and how they can get obese, I hope this gives you more awareness about caring for your pet, as it is always my intention that my post helps you care for your pet better.

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**Pet Obesity** is caused as a result of excessive fats in the body, it occurs when there is an accumulation of adipose tissue in the body. Obesity is believed to be a serious welfare problem in pets, this is because of its ability to cause suffering that can be really disabling, obesity can also affect your dog's ability to carry out activities.

When your pet is obese, it can either escalate existing health problems or even cause serious health problems which could reduce the chances of your pet having a great life, obesity gives dogs health situations like;

* Cancer: Just like humans, pets especially dogs can experience cancer as well, according to Wilson-Robles, it happens in more than 50% of dogs. While humans can speak about their experiences, dogs cannot share their own experiences but the most common symptom is a lump or a bump accompanied by weight loss, decreased appetite, and fatigue. 
Dogs experience different types of cancers; Anal sac cancer, Bladder cancer, Liver cancer, Hemangiosarcoma, Breast cancer, Lymphoma amongst others. Treating cancer in dogs is only possible through early diagnosis, identifying the symptoms on time is the only way forward.

* High blood pressure: Just like humans, our pets could also experience high blood pressure, and high blood pressure in animals is usually more critical as they often occur as a result of a critical underlying condition. In a case where your pet is diagnosed with hypertension, the underlying condition would have to be treated as well, a 3-month constant check will also need to be carried out for further complications.

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* Diabetes: Diabetes is highly common amongst basically cats and dogs and it can happen at any age, obesity is a significant factor in the development of diabetes. When dogs are diabetic, they begin to have associated conditions like; kidney disease, heart disease, skin infections, urinary tract infections as well as pancreatitis. Symptoms of diabetes in pets include; decreased appetite, cloudy eyes, excessive urination, excessive water intake, and chronic/recurring infections.

* Respiratory distress: Pets with respiratory distress is characterized by; extension of the head and neck, tachypnea, and opened mouth while breathing. 

* Heart disease: There is no major cause of heart disease, but the type of breed, age of the pet, and nutrition all contribute to heart disease. Identifying heart conditions in dogs very fast is a good way to seek easy treatment. The two major heart conditions in pets are valve disease and heart muscle disease. 
In order to detect if your heart has heart failure, it will show signs of;
* Weakness and even collapse on some occasions.
* Bloating/ abdominal swelling.
* Coughing.
* Difficult breathing.
* Getting easily tired during exercise. 
In most cases, administered drugs prescribed by a veterinary doctor will help with the treatment of the condition, change in diet, weight loss and in some cases, surgery is even the recommended solution.

The major reason behind obesity in pets is the lifestyle and eating habits of the pet, the excessive consumption of commercial food, and an unbalanced feeding schedule can contribute extensively to obesity.
Obesity in dogs is more common than in cats and other pets, it even affects wild animals as well. 

Obesity in pets is associated with these symptoms;

**Environmental symptoms**.
Overfeeding your pet, especially with food rich in fat, an excessive number of treats.
Pets who are always indoors without any form of exercise, are at a higher chance of becoming obese.

**Physiology symptoms**.
Pets that are more advanced in age, usually beyond 5 years of age are prone to obesity because of their reduced ability to burn more calories. Some breeds are usually more prone to obesity than other breeds.

**Medications**: There are certain medications that can result in abnormal fat and increased weight gain.

**Diseases**: Certain diseases like; hypothyroidism, insulinoma, and hyperadrenocorticism, amongst other diseases, can result in obesity. 

### <center>How to help your pet lose weight.</center>

The first step to make your pet lose weight is to get them checked with a vet, this will help your vet determine the number of consumed calories on a daily basis. 
Take your pet on regular exercises, and allow them to move from one pet to another. 
The choice of diet and feeding pattern would also need to change in order to help the pet lose weight.

The most easy way to prevent your pet from becoming overweight is to ensure that the pets are appropriately fed with moderate calories depending on their weight, age, breed, and health condition. Also, making sure that your pet regularly exercises, is extremely important. While you may be happy that your dog is really big, you have to also remember that, there are health conditions that can put danger on your dog's life if not properly managed.

### <center>References.</center>

[www.avma.org](https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/diabetes-pets)

[www.vin.com](https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=19840&catId=105900&id=8249942)

[cvcavets.com](https://www.cvcavets.com/canine-heart-diseases/)

[www.zoetispetcare.com](https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/pet-overweight-what-to-do)

[wagwalking.com](https://wagwalking.com/condition/obesity)

[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16772464/)

[indianexpress.com](https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/obesity-in-animals-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-7363138/)

[www.frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.654617/full)

[vetnutrition.tufts.edu](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/01/why-are-so-many-of-our-pets-overweight/)

[vcahospitals.com](https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs)

[www.aaha.org](https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2020-02/pet-obesity-is-an-epidemic/)

[en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_pets)

[www.rspca.org.uk](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/obesity)