Obesity and Osteoarthritis Dog Food & Diet

Obesity
Today's dogs are unlike their wild ancestors in far too many ways to count. These dogs were active, traveling with their nomadic masters in search of new hunting territories. They were thin, tough animals that were driven by instinct. Today's dog frequently struggles to remain active enough to jump from the floor to the couch and back again. Many of them grudgingly walk around the block when they'd rather be begging for treats at the table. And hunting--hunting is sniffing under the couch for the tennis ball.

Although a pudgy puppy might seem cute and a fat dog might appear funny, the consequences related to obesity are serious and many. He can be be at risk for heart disease, liver disease, skin conditions, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and heat intolerance. He may be prone to reproductive and digestive problems. Due to the strain on his muscles and skeleton, he may be more prone to injury. Should that injury need surgery, his chances of survival are reduced, both due to the strain on his heart and because his adipose (fat) layer will absorb and retain the anesthesia used in surgery. Your obese dog needs to lose weight, right away. He can’t make the decision; only you can help him. Make the right decision and start helping him to do so today.

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a painful, degenerative condition that may progress over a long period, up to even years, before the symptoms become evident. Osteoarthritis occurs due to two different forms of stress on your dog's joints. It may occur because 1) his joints are already abnormal and they are succumbing to normal stress, or because 2) his joints are normal, but they have been subjected to an abnormal amount of stress or repetitive stress. Dogs that take part in sporting events such as agility and flyball may be prone to this kind of degeneration. The first symptoms may include a general slowdown of your dog's activity. He may start limping. He may show a reluctance to go up and down stairs, to jump on the couch, or even to be touched.

The progression of osteoarthritis is not consistent between dogs. It may even vary between different joints in the same dog. X-rays are usually used to diagnose osteoarthritis. Treatment of osteoarthritis has three parts:

1) Weight loss and/or maintenance
2) Regular exercise such as walking or swimming
3) Medication to reduce pain and inflammation.

It is possible for your dog to live a happy and relatively normal life, even with osteoarthritis. If you suspect that your dog has osteoarthritis, bring him to your vet for diagnosis right away. The sooner it is caught and treated, the sooner your dog will be comfortable once again.

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