Obesity in dogs is becoming increasingly common. It affects 20 to 40% of domestic dogs worldwide!
An obese dog is not just overweight: its excess fat can have serious consequences on its health and life expectancy. However, simple lifestyle adjustments can help it regain an ideal weight.
What are the causes of canine obesity? How to prevent it and help an overweight dog? Here’s everything you need to know!
Why is my dog obese? The main causes #
Obesity in dogs is generally due to an imbalance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. Several factors can promote this excessive weight gain.
A diet too rich #
A dog that receives too much food compared to its needs will inevitably gain weight. Common causes include:
✔️ Too generous portions
✔️ A diet too high in calories (inappropriate kibble, excessive treats)
✔️ The bad habit of giving table scraps
Lack of exercise #
A dog that expends little energy will struggle to maintain a stable weight. This can be the case if your dog lives in an apartment without sufficient physical activity, or simply because the walks are too short or too rare.
If it starts to get old, it’s also normal for its activity to decrease: like humans, dogs age and lose energy.
Medical and hormonal factors of obesity in dogs #
Some factors of canine obesity can also be completely external to your actions. Indeed, medical or hormonal conditions must also be considered.
✔️ Sterilization: a sterilized dog burns on average 20% fewer calories
✔️ Hypothyroidism: slows down metabolism and promotes weight gain.
✔️ Cushing’s syndrome: a hormonal disease leading to excessive fat gain.
🐕 Which dog breeds are predisposed to obesity? #
Some breeds have a slower metabolism or a natural tendency to store more fat. Among the dogs most prone to obesity are the Labrador Retriever and its (almost) twin, the Golden Retriever.
But other breeds have a high risk of developing obesity! This is the case for:
- the Beagle
- the Cocker Spaniel
- the Pug
- the Dachshund
- the French Bulldog
- the Basset Hound
- the Newfoundland
If your dog belongs to one of these breeds, increased vigilance on its diet and activity is essential.
How do I know if my dog is obese? #
An obese dog is not just a few pounds overweight. Its weight exceeds 20% or more of its ideal weight. Here are some signs to watch for:
👉 The ribs are no longer palpable under a layer of fat.
👉 The belly is rounded and hanging.
👉 It gets out of breath quickly during exertion.
👉 It has difficulty jumping or getting up after a long rest.
A veterinarian can assess its body condition score (BCS) to confirm obesity and propose appropriate management.
Obese dog: monitor all signals with Invoxia’s Minitailz #
If the signs mentioned above are quite visible, some others are much less so. An intelligent device like Invoxia’s Minitailz can help you detect obesity preventively thanks to its many activity and health features.
1. Monitoring physical activity to detect a decrease in exercise #
Canine obesity is often due to a lack of activity. With Minitailz, owners can notably track the time spent in motion each day (running, walking, playing). Other features are already planned to further improve this analysis!
📊 If physical activity decreases for no apparent reason, it may be a signal that the dog is gaining weight or becoming more sedentary.
2. Analysis of long-term activity trends #
Minitailz allows you to compare the evolution of the dog’s activity over several weeks, but also to compare it with other dogs of similar breeds in the Invoxia community.
🔎 A dog that was active but is exercising less and less could be gradually gaining weight.
3. Monitoring health parameters (heart and respiratory rate) #
An obese dog often has a higher heart rate and faster breathing, even at rest.
📊 Thanks to its resting health scans, Minitailz can precisely detect these variations and alert owners in case of abnormal changes.
4. Detection of weight gain through behavioral changes #
Some behaviors change in a dog that is gaining weight: ❌ Less interest in play or walks. ❌ Quick breathlessness. ❌ Increased rest and sleep time.
🐶 Minitailz analyzes these trends and can help owners spot these signals before obesity sets in.
5. Alerts and recommendations to adjust the dog’s activity #
Every day, you receive a report of the day’s events. And every week, you have access to a comprehensive summary and relevant analyses of your dog’s activity and health.
💡 You will find advice such as “Your dog was 30% less active this week than usual. Consider increasing walks!”
What are the risks for an obese dog? #
Canine obesity can have serious health consequences. An obese dog is more exposed to:
🔴 Osteoarthritis and joint pain
🔴 Diabetes mellitus (risk multiplied by 4 in overweight dogs)
🔴 Heart and respiratory diseases, such as
dilated cardiomyopathy
🔴 A reduced life expectancy by an average of 2 years
🔴 Heat intolerance (increased risk of heatstroke)
Excess weight is not just an aesthetic problem: it directly affects the dog’s quality and length of life.
How to help an obese dog regain a healthy weight? #
An obese dog can lose weight with a suitable program combining balanced diet and regular exercise.
🍗 I adapt its diet #
✔️ Favor light and protein-rich kibble to preserve muscle mass.
✔️ Split meals into 2 to 3 portions per day to avoid fat storage.
✔️ Replace high-calorie treats with healthy alternatives (carrot pieces, apples, zucchinis).
✔️ Weigh each portion to avoid overfeeding.
🏃♂️ I increase its physical activity #
✔️ Extend the duration of walks: aim for 30 to 60 minutes per day.
✔️ Introduce fun activities: agility, ball games, swimming.
✔️ Encourage the dog to move with interactive toys.
👨⚕️ I consult my veterinarian #
Veterinary follow-up is essential to adjust the weight loss program and ensure there is no underlying medical cause.
Prevention: how to avoid obesity in dogs? #
👉 Regularly weigh your dog to anticipate any excessive weight gain.
👉 Adapt the diet according to age, lifestyle, and breed.
👉 Make exercise a habit from a young age.
👉 Limit rewards and avoid table scraps.
An obese dog is more than just an overweight dog: it’s an animal in danger. Fortunately, by adopting good dietary practices and increasing its physical activity, it is possible to offer it a longer and healthier life.
👉 Do you think your dog is overweight? Consult your veterinarian to establish a suitable fitness plan!
Equip my dog with Minitailz to prevent health problems