I saw a dog similar to this dog at my veterinarian recently. He literally was unable to stand up on his own. He could barely walk on his short legs. He had obvious pain in his right rear leg. They had to keep coaxing him to walk to the examination room.
Obesity in dogs and cats is rampant in the United States. Statistics from different groups including the AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Assoication) have said at least 50% are overweight. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Last week, I took my dog, Jazz, to my vet for a check-up. As I sat in the waiting room filled with people and their dogs, what struck me is how all of the dogs were either pudgy, obese or morbidly overweight. Jazz was the only dog who was within the normal weight range.
The image of that dog who was lying down a few chairs away from me was utterly shocking. He was laying exactly like the pictured dog. I couldn’t believe the enormity of his body.
After being called to go to the exam room, this pitiful dog needed help standing. His owner had to grab his body and lift him. As he struggled to walk, I watched his short legs carry the enormous weight of his body. His back leg appeared to want to buckle but didn’t.
This is animal cruelty to me. If people can receive a summons for having an emaciated pet, why shouldn’t we charge owners with abuse when they allow their pets to reach that level of obesity.
There is an epidemic of obese people in our countries and it’s trickling down to their pets. While humans cause their own portliness, pets aren’t responsible for their corpulence.
Should an obese pet be against the law? A woman in Ottawa, Canada was charged with neglect for letting her cat weigh 24 1/2 lbs.
According to the Ottawa Humane Society, the 12 year-old cat named Napoleon was so overweight he couldn’t even stand up. He wasn’t able to clean himself. His fur became matted with feces. The woman did take Napolean to her vet numerous times but never followed his advice.
He was in such severe pain and a dissheveled mess with some reports claiming he had skin infections, urinary burns due to neglect, and underlying medical issues. Subsequently, he was euthanized. Many have disagreed with this decision.
This did not have to happen.
“Napolean’s owner was found guilty of animal abuse and was fined. She could have received 30 days in jail. She was charged under Ottawa’s animal cruelty law with “permitting distress to an animal and failure to maintain standards of care.”
According to Ottawa Humane Society Inspector Miriam Smith, “Failure to follow a veterinarian’s advice and allowing a pet to deteriorate like this is appalling. And it’s against the law.”
Obesity isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about the health and welfare of the animal. Obese animals are more prone to certain disease and ailments including diabetes, joint pain, labored breathing, hypertension, stress on the heart, and the “cause of several other painful, debilitating, potentially life-threatening diseases including hip dysplasia, arthritis, respiratory problems, kidney disease, and a significant reduction in both quantity and quality of life.”
Having an overweight pet is a serious problem and must be addressed. What can you do to help your pet?
- Feed a balanced, species-appropropriate to your pet regardless of weight.
- Measure food portions. Some suggest a high protein, low or no-carbohyhdrate meal plan. You must reduce the amount of food and calories for your pet to lose weight. Watch out for those treats. The calories can add up very easily and quickly.
- Exercise! As with people, have your pet do at least 20 minutes of cardio. Take your dog for a walk on a daily basis. Play with your cat. Get him/her moving ona consistent basis. They will burn fat and calories with the end result of lost weight.
This isn’t funny. It’s actually very sad.
Should having a morbidly obese pet be considered animal cruelty or neglect, in your opinion? Should the United States have a law making it a crime?
It’s cruel if the pet is that morbidly obese. What’s wrong with people to allow their dogs to get that fat? I see alot of overweight people with overweight dogs. It’s not right.
I don’t feel it’s cruelty but it is neglectful on the owner’s part. Dogs don’t get fat on their own. I don’t think they do it on purpose but still need to be responsible for their dog’s weight. Vets should be telling clients their pets need to lose weight.
I’m sure veterinarians do encourage their clients to cut down on food intake for their pets. As with people, it may fall on deaf ears. I’m not sure. Thanks.
I like your article. It is very good.
Thank you.
There’s no excuse to make your dog so obese it can’t walk. WTH? Look at what you’re doing to your dog. Putting his life in jeopardy and causing pain while he walks. It’s neglect, at the very least. Sickening is what it is.
They need daily exercise just like people. Too many people are on their computers or inactive. They eat and feed their pets too many treats. Feed yourself but don’t overdo it with your pets. You are responsible for your weight but a dog isn’t.
I agree completely with your statement, Madelyn. Humans and people need to get more exercise.
Thanks.
I think it’s neglectful on the part of the owners. I don’t think all owners realize they’re hurting their pets when they give them snacks. If they don’t see that they have a problem, they won’t see they’re causing health or physical ailments for their pets. Living in denial causes problems for them and their pets. I don’t think they’re hurting their pets purposely; however, they do need to be more responsible. I’ve seen my share of overweight pets and it makes so sad since they can’t tell anyone how they feel to walk with all of the extra weight. When a pet is morbidly obese to the point of not being able to walk, that goes beyond neglect. It is an epidemic and we need to reach owners about this serious issue.
Depends on the invidual case.
EXACTLY!!!!!! My aunt has 5 dogs living in a travel trailer with her and her husband! That sounds bad enough right, but 3 of the five are morbidly obese! She thinks she wants to take legal action against me, because I don’t feed two horses a sack of feed and a square bale a piece a day! My horses are healthy on forty acres and just pleasure horses!! They don’t need it, but what about her morbidly obese dogs! Prove that their big boned and hold fluid in court is my opinion, I can prove my horses are healthy!!!!
I agree! I sold my horse to folks who have allowed him to be 300lbs overweight and he is now going into laminitis and he foundered last year. It is most definitely neglectful.. It is actually scientifically proven that being a little underweight is better for you than being obese! If that’s the case then obesity should be considered neglect! If obesity causes hoof infections in horses, then it is neglect. Now .. if the owner does everything he can and the animal is still obese.. then sometimes that happens in life.
In some instances, a resounding yes. Obese people tend to have obese children and obese pets. It’s an epidemic.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.