My dog is overweight. She doesn't like to exercise (when I take her for walks she goes so slow and after about five minutes just plops down and won't budge) and loves nothing more than just laying around in the sun. She's beagle/basset and I think she's destined to be overweight (my vet said that those types of dogs love sunbathing and eating and she does!). So, does this make her have a shorter life span? What can I do to make her healthier? I feed her carrots and apples, she likes them...but I also give her dog food. I just don't know what to do. Thanks for the answers!
2006-09-16 14:17:27 · 12 answers · asked by Led*Zep*Babe 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
***I mean "dying" not "dieing", lol, I don't know what made me put that.
2006-09-16 14:19:02 · update #1
Her dog food is for overweight dogs already. It don't seem to help and we've tried different kinds.
2006-09-16 14:21:14 · update #2
Yes, her lifespan is shorter. Also there are all types of complications like arthritis and torn ligaments. Cut back about 1/4 cup of her regular food a day. She won't miss it, and she will not gain anymore and may even lose.
2006-09-16 14:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by just browsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will shorten her life. It puts a greater strain on her heart, joints, spine, and muscles. It is also harder to detect any abnormal lumps that could indicate cancer. Try putting her food upstairs (if you have an upstairs) or letting her spend some time in a doggie daycare where she will probably join in playing at least a little bit with other dogs. Try getting her out in the woods. Beagles and bassetts are bred for hunting and if they get an interesting scent in their noses and switch into hunting mode they become a different kind of dog. If all else fails figure out which treat in the whole world is her favorite, don't give her any for about a week, put some on a string and make a scent trail for her to follow to where you've hidden the food or have someone go ahead of you with it on your walks. She can do it, she's a hound breed. Make it a game and she may just be willing to hunt down that favorite snack. Make the trail long enough and she'll get some exercise out of the game.
2006-09-16 14:31:15 · answer #2 · answered by twistedmouse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put yourself in her shoes. Overweight in a dog is just as bad as overweight in a human. Most or all of the same physical problems. Yes, this will give her a shorter life span.
It's good that you're feeding a weight formula dog food, but HOW MUCH are you giving her? How many treats?
I really don't believe that dogs are "destined" to be fat.
Talk to your vet, if you don't like what he/she says -- get a second opion. Treat this as if your child was overweight and lazy.
2006-09-16 21:41:31 · answer #3 · answered by kaschweigert 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha wow! Sounds exactly like my dog. He is a lab, and he's overweight, lazy, hates exercising and loves laying around and eating. Haha. But yeah dogs that are overweight do have a chance of dying sooner then dogs at a normal weight. It's like humans- if you're thin and active obviously you're going to live longer than some fat asss who doesn't take care of themself.
2006-09-16 14:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes being overweight is not good for animals, it adds extra strain on the heart not to mention the stress it puts on the joints and such. Maybe you should try cutting back on the amount of food you put out daily and try the exercise thing in very short time spans and work you way up to longer times.
good luck
2006-09-16 15:43:29 · answer #5 · answered by spnky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs like people get accustomed to their environment, they like the same luxuries you do. And yes they will die much sooner if they are fat or overweight. Ever see a fat wild dog, and you will never see one either. You're killing your dog with kindness, so time for a strict exercise program and an ever stricter diet. You'll benefit too with the exercise
2006-09-16 14:32:54 · answer #6 · answered by bprice215 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Overweight dogs, just like overweight people, are putting their health in jeopardy. Get a dog food from the vet that is specially created for overweight dogs. Hill's is one manufacturer. There are others.
2006-09-16 14:20:21 · answer #7 · answered by Wiser1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom has a dog-a walker hound collie mix, that weighs 130 pounds. He's HUGE! He is almost 16 years old. He's lived a good life but he has arthritis. I don't know if it's because he's old or because he's so big, but big dogs aren't supposed to live as long as small dogs and I think that he's lived quite a long time. I guess it all depends on the dog.
2006-09-16 14:26:39 · answer #8 · answered by speedy_me18 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea the life span is shorter. my dog is a yellow lab nad is over weight she does the same thing, she lays in the park and she will sit there for 20 min. she got so fat that the weight damaged her hips and we had to get her hips operated on 3,000 dollars each hip and she still has trouble walking and breathing so help it loose weight b4 its too late
2006-09-16 14:28:37 · answer #9 · answered by Cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My labX got so fat she got diabetes. Shots everyday is no way to go. My dog hated it. Do not make your dog suffer. Learn from my mistakes.
2006-09-16 14:34:34 · answer #10 · answered by Teresa V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋