I used to see a chubby dog and smile, thinking how cute they looked.
But now, knowing what I know – it actually breaks my heart a little. I’d never want to offend anyone, especially not a fellow dog lover, but I do believe all of us would rather hear the truth if it means helping our dogs live healthier, happier lives. The truth is that extra weight might not seem like much of an issue, but for dogs, every little bit adds up.
I must say this – lovingly, gently, but clearly: being overweight can actually hurt a dog, a lot and it’s worth seeing past the immediate ‘cuteness’ of it.
Here’s why
Joint stress
Dogs aren’t built to carry excess weight, especially not on their smaller frames. That extra load strains their hips, knees and spine, which leads to arthritis, ligament injuries and chronic pain
Breathing difficulty
Overweight dogs can struggle with simple things like walking or playing. Their airways are under pressure and their hearts have to work overtime.
Metabolism and hormone disruption
Fat isn’t just extra padding – it’s active tissue that secretes inflammatory hormones and creates oxidative stress on the body’s tissue, which makes them more likely to develop diseases like diabetes, hypothyroidism and certain cancers
Depreciated organ function
From the liver to the bladder, extra weight makes everything work harder – raising the risk of infections, stones and more serious health issues
Increased risk during anaesthetic
Anaesthesia and surgery carry higher risks for obese dogs due to complications such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems
Weakened immune system.
Overweight dogs may recover slower from illness or surgery.
Reduced quality of life, negative effect on emotional wellbeing
Extra weight can make everyday things harder like walking, playing or even just getting comfy. Just like us, dogs can feel the emotional effects of not feeling their best. Over time, it can steal their spark, leaving them tired, unhappy and less like themselves.
Shortened life-expectancy
Here’s the one that really hits home – even being moderately overweight can shorten a dog’s life expectancy by over 2 years.
So if you’ve noticed that your dog is panting more than usual, or struggling to jump onto the sofa – it might not just be age. It could be the weight they’re carrying. Keeping your dog lean is one of the most loving things you can do. It helps them stay playful, pain-free, happy – and increases the likelihood of them being by your side for longer.
How do I tell if my dog is overweight?
Use this chart as a guide
Our blog How to help your dog lose weight can help advise on how to maintain your dog’s ideal weight.
You can get in touch if you would like to chat about anything related to your dog’s nutrition, contact kathy@phoenixbark.com 🙂
What our customers have to say
Check out all of our customer reviews here, we’ve over 100, exclusively 5-stars!
“Best of all is Freddie’s weight has dropped and his coat’s so shiny since we started Phoenix Bark dog food.”
Kerrie Glynn | Google ★★★★★
“ Dexter’s arthritis eased after one week and flexibility and pain reduced hugely now. He has lost three kilos and is now his perfect weight.”
Caron Hughes | Google ★★★★★
“He’s looking trimmer since he started and his coat is lovely and healthy.”
Ciara O’Donoghue | Facebook ★★★★★
“Our ten year old Basset Hound is much more agile and his quality of life has improved so much. Our four year old dachshund is looking great having lost some excess weight. Both their coats look shiny and healthy. We joke now that our dogs look like they are reverse ageing!”
Gillian Gladney | Google ★★★★★
“The best thing for me is it’s custom made for them so no more over feeding, smells lovely and my vet said he would eat it himself! Thank you Phoenix Bark from all of us!”
G Kilroy | Google ★★★★★
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https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2855019/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622083523
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20219485/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9573962/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7510989