- Dr. Holly Dutton
- Apr 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Do you have an obese dog, or are you worried your dog is obese? Obesity in dogs can be very dangerous and, left untreated, can contribute to a wide range of health problems in your pet. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to pay close attention to your pet’s weight and make changes if needed to help them lose weight.
Below, we’ll help you better understand dog obesity and how to prevent emergency vet visits. If you suspect your dog is obese, be sure to talk to your primary care vet for specific recommendations. If your dog is experiencing emergency symptoms, like vomiting, lethargy, or urinary tract infections, contact VEG ER for Pets immediately.
When is a dog considered obese?
A dog is considered obese if it weighs at least 20% more than its recommended body weight. This number fluctuates significantly depending on the dog’s breed. For example, a Chihuahua’s average weight is five pounds, so a Chihuahua would be considered obese at only six pounds. On the other hand, a Great Dane’s average weight is roughly 150 pounds, so this breed would not be considered obese until 165 pounds—or even more, depending on the dog. Male dogs typically weigh more than females in any breed.
An easy way to tell if your dog is overweight or obese is to feel how much fat they have over parts of their body and compare that to the feel of different parts of your hand. You can start with your dog’s ribs just behind their front legs.
Average weight: Their ribs feel like the back of your hand, opposite your palm. Your dog is a good weight for its size.
Underweight: Their ribs feel like your knuckles. Talk to your primary care vet about increasing your dog’s caloric intake.
Overweight or obese: Their ribs feel like the fleshiest part of the palm of your hand. Ask your primary care vet about adjusting your dog’s diet and exercise.
If you’re having trouble figuring out if your dog is obese or what a healthy weight is for your dog, talk to your family vet for more information. Additionally, if your dog is a mixed breed, your vet can help you figure out an average healthy weight as well.
Health problems linked to dog obesity?
There are health problems associated with a dog being overweight that could result in a visit to the emergency vet depending on the severity of the symptoms they are experiencing. Listed below are the most common health problems linked to obesity in dogs.
Common health problems in obese dogs
Obesity can lead to heart disease in dogs
Heart disease is one of the most significant problems caused by obesity in dogs. Just like humans, dogs who are obese are at a higher risk of heart trouble. Help keep your dog’s heart healthy and functioning normally by keeping them at a healthy weight.
An obese dog may have joint issues/orthopedic concerns
Joint and mobility issues can occur in dogs who are not obese, and they aren’t limited only to dogs with weight problems. However, obesity can significantly increase a dog’s risk of joint problems like arthritis. Your dog may have trouble moving around comfortably and may be in a lot of pain from arthritis if it is obese.
Another joint concern would be ruptured ligaments – these are more likely in obese dogs but also make treatment more difficult as dogs cannot handle their weight when unable to use all their limbs equally.
An obese dog may develop diabetes
Diabetes is very common in obese dogs. If your dog stays obese for too long, their risk of diabetes will increase significantly. A dog who is diagnosed with diabetes will need to be given insulin injections and will need to be closely monitored by you and your vet for the rest of their life.
Obese or not, dogs with diabetes are also predisposed to severe secondary health conditions, including liver problems, cataracts, and recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Undiagnosed diabetes in dogs can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a very serious condition that requires immediate vet care. If your dog is vomiting, lethargic, losing weight, or develops diarrhea, call your nearest VEG ER for Pets animal hospital.
Overweight dogs may have trouble breathing
Dogs that are overweight may have trouble breathing. This problem can worsen as the dog gets older or gains more weight, and it can become very dangerous if your dog also contracts a respiratory infection or heartworm disease. This is especially true in our short faced or smooshed face (brachycephalic) breeds who already have difficulty breathing like Bull Dogs, Pugs, and Frenchies.
Obese dogs may develop pancreatitis
In addition to putting your pup at risk for diabetes, a poor diet, especially one that is high in fat and calories, can put added strain on your dog’s pancreas, a vital organ that helps with digestion and regulating blood sugar. This causes inflammation called pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
If your dog is overweight as a result of poor diet and is experiencing any of the below symptoms, visit your nearest VEG ER for Pets as soon as possible:
Persistent vomiting
Severe lethargy
Hunched posture or abdominal pain
Fever or dehydration
When should you take an obese dog to the ER
If your overweight or obese dog is displaying any of the following urgent symptoms, visit your nearest VEG vet hospital immediately:
Collapsing or inability to stand
Labored breathing at rest
Distended abdomen and retching
Sudden hind limb weakness or paralysis
These symptoms may indicate a serious problem. If your dog’s breathing is compromised, limit their movement until they can be seen by an experienced emergency veterinarian at VEG. If they are experiencing vomiting or bloating, do not give them food until after they have been cleared by a medical professional.
How can you help an obese dog lose weight?
If a dog maintains a healthy weight, they are less likely to go to an emergency vet for any of the symptoms listed above. Have a portly pooch? Here are some ways to help your dog lose weight:
A healthier diet can help an overweight dog
Changing your dog’s diet to something healthier is a good first step in combating obesity. Pick food with lots of high-quality, healthy ingredients, and choose a blend that is designed specifically for weight loss in pets.
Avoid foods that have too many filler ingredients, as these can contribute to weight gain. Also, if you have multiple pets, including cats, it’s important to keep them separate during mealtime to prevent your hungry pooch from sampling your feline’s feast.
To maintain a healthy diet, your canine companion needs to chow down on some combination of these six essentials every day:
Water
Carbs (including fiber)
Vitamins
Minerals
Fat
Protein
Of course, there are instances where you may need to adjust one or more of these essentials to support your dog’s individual health needs, so it’s important to consult your vet to determine what a balanced diet looks like for your doggo.
Find healthy dog treats your dog will love
If you give your dog a lot of treats (or a little nibble of something from your dinner plate, IYKYK), keep in mind that treats add calories, too. Most vets will tell you that treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, so make sure you factor that in as you feed Fido, or choose treats that are healthy alternatives instead.
Healthy snacks for dogs
Apple slices provide vitamins and potassium and dogs love them!
Cooked baby carrots or other vegetables your dog may like
Cooked, diced chicken or turkey (skinless, unseasoned) is a healthy treat dogs will gobble up! It’s crucial that the turkey be unseasoned and skinless, as some spices may be toxic to dogs and the high fat content of the skin can lead to pancreatitis.
Hard-boiled eggs, in moderation, provide your dog with protein, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids.
Exercise with an overweight dog for better health
Exercise is important to help your dog lose weight as well. Keep up with your dog’s exercise routine regularly and make sure they get enough of a workout depending on their breed type and size. Bigger dogs need more exercise daily than smaller dogs. Daily walks and playing fetch are just two ways to increase your dog's activity level.
An obese dog may benefit from medication
If your dog is having a lot of trouble losing weight, you may need to talk to your primary care vet about medication or other alternative solutions. However, this should be a last-ditch effort, and your vet will likely want to try managing the problem in other ways first.
There are health conditions that make it hard for your pet to lose weight, like hypothyroid disease – you will want to ensure all other issues are addressed before exploring conditions that will require lifelong treatment. If you are diligently working on the above concerns and your pet is not losing weight, that will be a sign that other tests are needed. Be sure to talk this through with your primary care vet.
VEG animal hospitals - open 24 hours for your dog's emergencies
Based on this information, it’s easy to see why pet obesity is such a concerning issue. Although you may think your dog looks cute with a few extra pounds around its belly, keep in mind that an overweight dog can quickly become an obese dog without the proper management.
The sooner you get your dog on a healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine, the better their overall health will become. By keeping up with your dog’s weight requirements, they are less likely to visit an emergency vet with complications from joint issues, diabetes, difficulty breathing, or heart disease.
If your dog is having an emergency due to obesity, contact VEG by calling any one of our locations. We have hospitals all over the country that are open 24/7 and our team is ready to guide you and your pet in the right direction.
