Vets Are Begging People to Start This Daily Habit When It Comes to Their Dogs' Health

It pretty much goes without saying, but we pet parents want to keep our furry friends in the very best of health. Even if vet bills and trips to the pet ER weren't prohibitively expensive, we still want our pets to live the longest, healthiest, and happiest lives possible, and that means forming good habits early in their lives and maintaining them throughout. And since October is National Pet Wellness Month, there's no better time to make their health a priority.

If you have a dog, you probably have a set daily routine for them: when they get their meals, when they take potty breaks, and when they go out for walkies. But if your dog's long-term health is a priority, you may want to take some time to reexamine your current routine. One particular health issue is threatening more canine lives than any other worldwide, and it's a problem that can be largely addressed by pet parents developing - and sticking with - healthy daily habits.

The Number One Canine Health Issue Worldwide

Because our dogs can't verbally communicate their health status to us, pet parents always have to be on the lookout for potential signs of health problems. Trouble is, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees: we're hypervigilant when it comes to looking out for potential maladies like cancer or heartworm, yet sometimes, we miss some of the more subtle yet insidious dangers to our pets' health.

It's those more subtle health issues that Dr. Mark dos Anjos, resident veterinary advisor at PetHelpful , is worried about. According to him, the number one health issue threatening pet dogs worldwide isn't heartworm, cancer, or even diseases as deadly as rabies: it's obesity.

"Over 50% of pets in the US are obese or severely overweight, and even in countries like China, 44% of dogs are overweight. Here in Brazil, about 40% of our dogs are overweight or obese," Dr. Mark tells ParadePets . "When a large dog becomes obese and develops health problems like arthritis, they are too big to be carried around and end up being put down before their life should be over. Dogs with weight problems live an average of over 2 years less than healthy dogs."

The health risks of obesity in dogs are analogous to those in humans. Obesity puts dogs at a much higher risk of developing arthritis and joint issues, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. According to VCA Animal Hospitals , emerging scientific evidence suggests that fat tissue is biologically active and can secrete inflammatory hormones which create oxidative stress that can damage bodily tissues and lead to all kinds of diseases. Managing your dog's weight is key in helping them avoid a host of health conditions that could bring their precious life to an all-too-early end.

The Best Daily Habit to Combat Obesity

Knowing that obesity is the most widespread health issue impacting dogs (even surpassing dental health issues, according to Dr. Mark), how can pet parents keep their dogs from becoming overweight? The answer is pretty much the same as it is for humans training to maintain a healthy weight: good diet and exercise, with a special emphasis on exercise.

"Just going out and walking your dog for a half hour three times a day is going to significantly improve [their] health and allow the family member that walks the dog to meet his or her steps requirement per day and also stay healthy," Dr. Mark advises, noting the potential health benefits for pet parents too. "All of us need to be getting about 10,000 steps a day to [help] prevent obesity."

Three half-hour walks, or 90 minutes total, is a good average daily goal for most dogs. As a general rule, 30 minutes to 2 hours is the recommended amount of daily exercise for dogs, but the closer you can get to the high end of that range, the better. Of course, the exact goal is going to be a little different for every dog. Large, active dog breeds like Huskies require more exercise than small, laid-back lap dogs like Pugs , and senior dogs are much less spry and physically active than young, healthy pups.

Still, if you're not already vigilant about your dog's exercise needs, start by ensuring that they get the bare minimum of 30 minutes of walking or active play time every day, then work your way up from there. While carving out time for an additional doggy exercise sesh every day can be tough when you've got a busy schedule, it's worth it to make sure that your dog stays happy and healthy in the long run!

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Dieting for Dogs

Setting aside sufficient time for your dog's daily exercise is the first step to keeping your dog healthy, Dr. Mark says, but dietary changes also go a long way. While buying dry dog food is the most convenient and cost-effective option for pet parents, it's not the most ideal in terms of health. Dr. Mark recommends feeding dogs a fresh whole foods diet, but those who don't have the time or energy to prepare fresh food for their dogs every day should also consider choosing a good brand of minimally-processed dog food instead.

"Homemade whole food diets and minimally processed foods can be more expensive, and more inconvenient, than just buying a bag of dry dog food from the supermarket and feeding your dog a cup of kibble a few times a day," Dr. Mark acknowledges. "The benefits to your dog are well worth it, though, and the suffering you can prevent by reducing the chances of arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and other obesity-related health problems are well worth the extra effort."

If you're working within a tight budget that makes affording a 100% whole or specialty dog food diet difficult, even supplementing your canine's current kibble with certain whole foods can help. Earth Buddy Pet recommends several all-natural, budget-friendly whole foods you can top off your dog's food bowl with to help ensure that they're getting the essential nutrients that they need!

When in Doubt, Ask the Vet

As anyone who's tried to lose weight themselves knows, proper diet and exercise are crucial, but they're not the only things that can have an effect on body weight. If your dog gets 90-120 minutes of exercise each day, eats a healthy, nutrient-rich diet in the proper caloric amounts for their body weight, and still can't lose excess weight, there may be an underlying metabolic problem at play.

According to PetMD, certain conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (aka Cushing's Disease), can cause excessive weight gain in dogs. Additionally, they note that certain dog breeds like Golden Retrievers and Beagles have a predisposition to obesity. If your dog is inexplicably putting on a lot of weight, or not losing excess weight despite following a proper diet and exercise regimen, it's time to pay a visit to your vet to address any other potential factors that may be affecting your dog's health.

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