Is My Greyhound Fat and So What if They Are? Greyhound Fact of the Week (5/4/14) Your retired greyhound’s body weight should be no more than four to eight pounds more than its racing weight. Remember that five pounds to a dog is like thirty pounds to a 180-pound man. The number one reason greyhounds become obese: Too little exercise, too many calories (just like people!) How can you tell if your dog is overweight? Your greyhound should have just the tips of their hipbones barely visible and the outline of a couple of ribs. If your greyhound is smooth across the hind end with no bones showing at all it is too fat. If it has no ribs visible it may be overweight depending on if it naturally has a very narrow ribcage or a more rounded rib cage. A dog with a more rounded ribcage can have the outline of ribs showing even when obese. If it doesnt have a pronounced tuck (waist) it is definitely too fat. If your greyhound has put on 10, 15 or even more pounds above its racing weight it is overweight. Why is obesity bad? Bone and joint function can be severely harmed by being overweight. Obesity intensifies orthopedic and arthritic conditions to the point that the dog becomes uncomfortable, doesnt want to exercise and the obesity becomes a vicious cycle. Obesity can also play a role in liver and kidney dysfunction. The organs in your dog remain the same size, but his larger body produces more toxins and wastes for the organs to dispose. This may lead to serious health problems or death. Obese pets have significantly higher levels of cardiovascular disease (potentially fatal), cancer, diabetes, and stomach and intestinal problems. In addition, obese pets are at much greater risk for heat stroke. If your greyhound has passed the obese mark it is in serious trouble. Not all vets are familiar with greyhounds so they may not tell you to take weight off your greyhound until it is already obese. Just because your vet tells you your greyhound looks fine doesnt mean it really is at the best weight for a healthy fit greyhound. A couple of pounds under ideal weight is better than a couple of pounds over unless your dog is older. It is hard to keep weight on most senior greyhounds. NEXT WEEK – So your hound is overweight, now what do you do? (Additional pictures and information from Greyhound Crossroads)
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 22:43:09 +0000
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