Dog obesity is a serious issue for any pet owner who wants to own an animal.
Overweight animals can die earlier in life, have severe health issues and be generally unhappy when they can't get around.
Yet, 84 million dogs and cats in the United States are overweight and obese.
Add to that the idea that the FDA has approved dog obesity medications to give dogs when they are overweight; the world is facing a real crisis.
If you ask the experts they will give several reasons dog obesity is so acute.
The number one would be that dogs are overeating and eating table scraps.
While owners think it is cute to feed Fido off the table, it could be actually killing him.
The foods people eat are not made for dogs nor does it provide the basic nutrients needed for a healthy dog lifestyle.
Another reason dogs are seriously overweight includes lack of exercise.
When the owner doesn't get out often enough, neither does the dog.
These days more and more dogs are indoor pets, leaving the time outside to be brief bathroom breaks.
So unless being walked by the owner, dogs don't smell the fresh outdoors.
The best way to deal with dog obesity is to look at the dog owners immediate lifestyle.
Since Fido follows his master, there can't be anything changed without the owners starting first.
Getting out and enjoying life every day when you walk is the first way.
Then make a pact that nobody in your family feeds your dog off the table.
Have your dog eat only from his source of food and regulate it.
Based on how heavy your dog is, feed accordingly and wait to see if your dog appears hungry before feeding more.
The dog obesity issue will stop when people recognize the health of their animal should be a way of life and the behavior of the pet reflects the owner.
As we know it all starts with the owner.