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A fluffy dog is one of the cutest sights ever. However, if you find that your dog is becoming bigger by the day and is gaining weight, do not dismiss it. In fact, you need to pay attention to your dog’s weight and health, which could indicate that something is wrong.
Here are some reasons your dog is gaining weight:
Hyperthyroidism, a medical condition common in dogs and humans, is when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient levels of the thyroid hormone. Decreased thyroid function leads to increased weight gain in pets.
Hyperthyroidism is responsible for slowing the entire metabolism down, which results in a rapid increase in weight. This means that even if you cut the number of calories that your dog consumes in a day, you will find that it is still gaining weight instead of losing it.
As a dog gets older, its nutritional needs start to change. The diet of puppies is vastly different from the diet of dogs. Puppy food is rich in calories to ensure that it is provided with sufficient development and growth during its early years.
When the puppy steps into adulthood, it is important that you switch it to a different diet that has lower calories. Similarly, dogs that are 7 to 8 years old need to be moved to senior dog food, which contains even lower calories and is high in fiber. As dogs grow older, this diet provides them with ample fat and protein needed for sustenance.
Think about it this way. As your dog grows older, it becomes less active and energetic, hence burning fewer calories each year. Adjusting its diet is important according to the number of calories it is burning so that both stay in balance and your dog is able to maintain a healthy weight.
If your dog has a sugar problem, you need to ensure that you have shifted it to a diet that is low on sugar and that its calorie intake is in line with its activity levels, breed, and size. A common cause of diabetes in dogs is obesity.
If you find out that your dog is diabetic, it is best to consult a vet and ask for a diet plan for your furry friend. This will help you understand the correct foods to give your dog, along with the quantities, so that you do not overfeed it. Losing weight often helps mitigate symptoms of diabetes. Low-fat and high-fiber diets are introduced so that a dog with diabetes does not gain weight.
Regular exercise is an important part of a dog or any other animal’s life. It is important that you help your dog work out every day to maintain its optimal weight. The intensity and duration of exercise also play an essential role in determining the dog’s mental and physical health.
Some dog breeds need more exercise than others, but every single dog will benefit from an hour of walking, along with some playtime in the garden or park with their owners. Not exercising will increase the risk of obesity, weight gain, and diseases in dogs. If you do not know how much exercise is sufficient for your dog, consult a vet. Remember that overexerting your dog is not a good idea either. You need to strike a balance between its energy levels, diet, and the amount of exercise it can handle.
Cushing’s disease is a disorder that increases the amount of cortisol produced in a dog’s body. This can lead the dog to gain weight, increasing bloating in the dog’s body. Even though you might not physically see the dog’s weight increasing on the scale, but you will definitely notice that your dog is starting to look bigger. This disease causes the dog to lose muscle mass which This disease causes the dog to lose muscle mass, which may not be visible on the scale but results in a skinny dog with a big belly that seems to be losing more hair by the day. Moreover, a dog with this disease may also develop skin problems, urinate a lot, and suffer from constant feelings of thirst.
Moreover, diseases like cancer and heart disease can cause bloating. For example, a dog who is suffering from heart disease has a heart that cannot pump enough blood into its body. This leads to fluids leaking into the vessels, as well as into the chest and abdomen. When this happens, the dog’s health is in danger. It can shorten its lifespan and can also be life-threatening in many cases.
Lots of prescription drugs can cause a dog to gain weight, especially if you continue to give your dog the drug over a long period of time. Moreover, if you are giving your dog the wrong dose, it could result in weight gain in the dog.
If you find that your dog has started a different routine or is taking different medicines and seems to be gaining weight, talk to your vet. They may be able to switch your dog to a different drug or give you tips on how to manage the dog’s weight. Most vets who see negative side effects of drugs in dogs look for different sources of therapy or different methods of care to accommodate the dog’s health.
Now that you know why your dog is gaining weight, talk to a professional and make some changes to your diet’s lifestyle!