Welcome to Dr. Heather Moeser, MS, DVM

· Arthritis

Weight puts pressure on joints, causing them to wear down faster. Arthritis can also make dogs less likely to exercise, which can lead to a cycle of more eating, sleeping, and laying around.

· Respiratory problems

Excess fat in the chest can prevent the lungs from fully expanding, while fat in the abdomen can push up against the diaphragm. This makes it harder for the lungs to supply oxygen, especially when exercising.

· Skin conditions

Excess fat on your dog’s body can be a sign of being overweight. You can check for fat sacks between their legs, or inspect their hips while petting them.

· Heart disease

Increased body fat can lead to higher blood pressure, which can cause congestive heart failure. The heart also has to work harder to pump blood to excess tissues.

· Diabetes

Obesity increases insulin resistance in dogs, which can lead to diabetes. Diabetes is a serious health risk that requires ongoing treatment.

· Cancer

Studies suggest that obese dogs may have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, including urinary bladder cancer and mammary tumors.

· Liver Disease

Long-term obesity can lead to a fatty liver, which is a main cause of liver disease in dogs.

· Overall Wellbeing

Simply put, your dog will feel better and be happier at a healthy weight. They are much less likely to suffer a premature death.

We do not want to starve them, feed them bland/boring food or drain your wallet with a prescription diet. Let us show you how you can feed a healthy, all-natural diet that will make them happy.

· Feel their ribs

You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without a layer of fat covering them. If you can feel a thin layer of fat, your dog may be overweight.

· Look at their waist

When your dog is standing, there should be a clear waist between their hips and rib cage. If your dog looks square from above, or has bulging in this area, they may be overweight.

· Check their body condition

From the side, your dog’s tummy should tuck up and their ribs should be just visible.

· Look for fat pads

Excess fat on your dog’s body can be a sign of being overweight. You can check for fat sacks between their legs, or inspect their hips while petting them.

· Consider their energy

Overweight dogs may have lower energy and fitness levels. They may pant more, walk slower, or sleep more often than usual.

· Other signs that your dog may be overweight include:

Abdominal sagging

A bigger, rounder face

Reluctance to go for walks

Needing help getting in and out of cars

Refusal to move or play games