Of all the dogs that visit the practice of animal physiotherapist Corinne Somers from Rucphen, about forty percent are overweight. This can lead to unpleasant health problems, such as pain and joint problems. According to Corinne, eating less and exercising more in the new year applies not only to the owner, but also to the animal. “Find something your dog likes.”
Veterinarians refer dogs to Corinne’s practice, especially for pain and joint complaints. “The complaints often include the fact that dogs are overweight,” she says.
For example, with six-year-old golden retriever Flor, who has been coming to Corinne for treatments and exercises for about three years. Using a treadmill in the water, they try to get Flor to move without overloading his joints.
“The high water eliminates excess weight, so that the joints are not overloaded. Flor has to use more force to move forward in the water,” says Corinne.
“Piece of cooked chicken instead of bones.”
In addition, the golden retriever follows a strict diet with less food and healthier snacks. “Algae-based snacks instead of unhealthy sweets and he gets a piece of boiled chicken instead of bones,” says owner Yeliz.
According to her, guilt is the main reason why her four-legged friend is overweight. “Flor already had health problems as a young dog. Later I developed health problems myself, which meant we could exercise less. Then it feels like you are failing your dog and you give treats more often.”
Corinne estimates that about forty percent of dogs are overweight, which she believes is more than before. “Back then, dogs were kept as working dogs. Nowadays they are pets and don’t need anything anymore.”
The result is that dogs eat more and exercise less, causing the energy they consume to be stored as fat.
“You can see this if a dog is missing some waist from above. And if you first feel a layer of fat and then the ribs, it is actually already overweight,” Corinne explains.
According to her, one breed has a greater tendency to become fat than the other. “Golden retrievers, Labradors, beagles, King Charles spaniels or bulldog-like dogs are more prone to becoming overweight.”
Yet, according to the physiotherapist, it also has to do with behavior. “Some dogs have no brakes and do not stop eating themselves when they are full. Owners must then keep an eye on how much the animal is consuming.”
“Owners don’t want to say no.”
Resisting those questioning dog eyes can be difficult for owners, Corinne knows. “The biggest problem is that owners don’t want to say no. Dogs can look very sad. Owners then think they are hungry, but it is often a behavioral thing.”
It is important that an overweight dog eats less and exercises more. “But with policy,” Corinne warns. “It must be built up gradually to avoid overload.”
This way you can give your dog short exercise more often per day instead of just one very long exercise or doing short exercises while walking. “Find something your dog likes so he can enjoy it more want to exercise,” the physiotherapist advises.