One of the most common nutrition related disease with canines is obesity, more than 50% of pets in North America are either overweight or obese. It is usually caused by excessive dietary intake or inadequate energy utilization. It is defined as a pathological condition with excessive fat deposition that affects different functions in the body. Many literature would state a certain percentage over the ideal body mass is defined as obese, however, this is hard to determine since many different factors affect a dog’s weight. This is a serious issues since it complicates many other disease. The research for problems related to obesity is extremely abundant. Many research shows how obesity could triggers all possible body complications possible. The list goes from cardiac disease, respiratory issues, urinary disorders, reproductive disorders, cancer, dermatological disease and surgical inconvenience.

Usually the treatment for obesity is very simple, the trouble is that many owners fail to recognize that their animal is obese. This may be hard to believe but many owners do not know what the optimal size for a canine is. The ideal form for a dog would be how you can easily feel the ribs with a slight fat cover of about half an inch. When you view the dog from the side, the abdominal should be tucked in. It is the owner’s own ability to treat obesity in their companions, diet restrictions with the approval of veterinarians is important as well as spending the time to exercise your dog. The restriction of energy intake would be the main option to reduce and prevent obesity in canines (German, 2006; Pibot, Biourge & Elliot, 2006).

One of the five freedoms of animals is the freedom from pain, injury or disease. Obesity is a serious disease and must be dealt with. In order to provide good welfare for dogs, sometimes reducing dietary intake is necessary. The best way to provide your companion with good health is to prevent obesity, prevention is the best way to good welfare.