Why do people let their dogs become fat?

I am embarrassed to admit that my first dog was fat.I was only a kid and at that time, there was no talk of healthy eating for people let alone pets. She wasn't extremely overweight, but I am sure that she didn't need the extra weight she did have. The reason, besides not knowing, was because she was so cute and would beg with her beautiful brown eyes..(I know not a reason to overfeed, but like I said, I was a kid and there was no info about the health hazards of being overweight) Now today, I have learned and I found that even if you can see a little rib, they are still healthy. The only thing to indicate being too underweight is if you see the hip bones, that is when they need more food. But to have a sunken tummy and or a little rib showing, is healthy. Too much weight there they need less food. Now why do people have over weight dogs today? I don't know, maybe lack of knowledge, for unless someone tells them, they won't know. Or they don't want to know, it's their baby and to point our that they are overfeeding them makes them look like a bad owner and their pride gets in the way. I wouldn't have known about the tummy/rib/hip bone thing if my daughter didn't explain it to me. I think what you do is good, because though she got angry, maybe, just maybe she will consider changing this dogs eating habits. I remember once when we had a dalmatian and she started getting fat. I told everyone to quit feeding her and I decreased her food until she got back to a more healthy weight. Then one time while we were out driving I pointed to my kids why I did this when we spotted, (pun intended..lol) a dalmatian that was tied up at a dog house. This dog, inu, was so huge, I believe she was as big around as she was tall. My kids saw how this poor thing probably had many problems do to the excess weight so they took a big interest to make sure our Dana didn't get too fat..

I have an aunt who thinks that dogs should be fed whatever people eat. So if we are eating sweets, she would also feed the dogs the same thing. We try to tell her that fat dogs will have a lot of health problems but she gets angry and tells us that we are being selfish. She has a labrador who is 150lbs heavy! and now limps when he walks. Poor dog cannot even chase its own tail.

Well I would be concerned for the dogs well being as well. This is very sad and is something I think is rather common. Killing our dogs with kindness. I have to particularly careful when my Yorkie and I are around family members because some like to feed her, at times that she doesn't need to eat. I am very fussy what my dogs eats. It is important for my dogs weight to remain in a safe zone for her breed due to potential hip and knee problems as she gets older. There was a time when my dog was getting a bit plump so I cut back her food and walked a little extra with her. It is for her best interest that her weight is carefully monitored. To answer your question, again I think it is because those who do over feed their dogs, do not set out to intentionally do so but feed out of their thoughts of kindness. It could also be the type of food one feeds there dogs. Mind you labs can be a heavy dog, I understand your concern that this particular dog is just over weight. Is it fat? Or is it muscle? Muscle weighs more than fat. The vet told me a couple years ago that my Yorkie should not weight more that six and a half pounds full grown and that it is important for me to not allow her to go over seven pounds. Winter okay to reach seven but no more. Well, I weigh her regularly and for the past year and a bit, she keeps weighing in at 7.5 pounds! Through discussing this with the vet, I was assured that she is fine. The dog is healthy and in good physical shape. The exercise provides healthy muscle and literally no fat. She's good to go. I am strict with her diet and her treats. She walks at least four times a day. Even if it is only for fifteen minutes. At least one walk is for a good hour or more however. At least the owner of the lab has enough sense to get the dog out to the park.

Oh so there's also such a thing as "obesity" among animals, I thought it is okay for the animals to gain weight. I have no dogs but for people who let their dogs fat, maybe they love watching these animals ballooned because it is more cute when they are fat.hehe

My dogs are always fit because they play a lot. We do not have a history of fat dogs at home. We used to have a lot of dogs and feeding them to be fat will be too costly. However, I enjoy looking at fat dogs that are agile despite their weight because they look cute. I pity fat dogs who are lazy because I think they're sick.

My first dog eats a lot, he is pretty big, but not over weight, I guess. Maybe people think that fat dog is cute and let dog eat as much as he can.

Well she will find out the hard way and it is worse that they are ding this to a Puppy as he will develop a Heart Problem and no doubt other Problems It makes me angry when I see Owners letting their Dogs over weight I don't know why they do not realise they are just as bad as People abusing Animals because they are not taking care of their Health at all But you can't tell them because they think they are doing nothing wrong

My wife has been the main care givers with our dogs as for as their nutrition is concerned. Our old dog was really fit and lived to be nearly 15 years old. Our current dog is also really fit. So my wife takes good care of them. If I did notice that one of our dogs was getting fat, I would certainly say something. I think it is our responsibility to keep our dogs healthy.

They baby their dogs. Even though they are doing more bad than good. My moms is guilty for doing it herself. Shes told me that they have a short life so they may as well get what they want. I've told her that they may have a short life but having them live like that makes them suffer later on. I myself do not see me ever letting my dogs become like that. While some dogs are homeless and starving some where I won't let my dog look like a bowling ball.

do not let them go bigger than normal, its a risk, you might have to go vet if that happens and the thing will suffer tigether with your additional cost. so you take care of your dog diets too, that way you have good result and money savings too.