[Photos] Fat dogs are cute! Be careful not to get too fat

You often see very chubby dogs featured on social media and animal TV shows. Their chubby appearance is adorable, and many people love cute, chubby dogs.

There are probably some owners who have cute, chubby dogs. While a chubby dog's appearance may seem appealing, just like humans, obesity can be harmful to dogs' health, so you need to be careful.

In this article, we'll introduce seven cute pictures of chubby dogs and three things to know about canine obesity.

"I want to see pictures of cute fat dogs."

"I want to know what obesity looks like in dogs."

"I want to know the risks of weight gain."

If you're thinking something like this, be sure to read this article to the end!

7 Cute Fat Dog Pictures!

First, let's introduce 7 cute images of fat dogs!

We hope you'll be soothed by the adorable appearance of these chubby, fat dogs.

1. Fat Dog Staring at Something

Quote: images-cdn.9gag.com

A fat dog stares intently at something. Is that food or a snack?

2. Round Chihuahua

Quote: https://ameblo.jp

This chubby dog ​​is so round. It's actually a Chihuahua!

When you think of Chihuahuas, you think of them as small and slender, but this one is so round.

Quote: https://ameblo.jp

He seems a bit unmotivated...

Many Chihuahuas are active and love exercise, but this one seems to dislike exercise. (lol)

I'd love to see this Chihuahua running around, too.

3. A Crate Full of Fat Dogs

Quote: http://paguhatittomo.blog83.fc2.com

A chubby pug filling up the basket.

Pugs are classified as small dogs, but they look almost medium-sized!

Quote: http://paguhatittomo.blog83.fc2.com

If she were to gaze upon you with such adorable upward glances, you'd probably be willing to forgive anything.

4. Cushion-like Dachshund

Quote: https://qoon.jp

Two round dachshunds sprawled on the stairs. They're so plump, they almost look like they're cushions...

Given how sloppy they are, they almost seem to blend in with the stairs!

5. Fat Dog Like a Rock

Quote: http://blog.livedoor.jp

This fat dog seems as unfazed as a rock.

You can see his imposing strength from his expression.

6. Fat Dogs Sleeping Comfortably

Quote: https://iknowte.com/

Two fat dogs sleeping comfortably side by side.

It would be so cozy to sleep together, sandwiched between them!

7. Adorable Fat Pomeranian

Quote: http://happy-lifek.com

A Pomeranian sleeping soundly and comfortably.

It looks just like a pillow. It's so fluffy and comfortable.

【Dog Obesity】Three Things You Need to Know

Oat dogs are adorable, but obesity can have health consequences, including causing illness.

Learn more about canine obesity and help your dog live a healthy life.

From here,

• Checkpoints for Dog Body Shape
• Causes and Main Risks of Obesity
• Dog Breeds Prone to Obesity

We'll explain in detail.

Checkpoints for Your Dog's Body Condition

The Ministry of the Environment's Body Condition Score (BCS) is a well-known way to check your dog's body condition. You can check your dog's obesity level by looking at it.

BCS 1 (Underweight)	The ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvis are easily visible from the outside. No fat is apparent by touch. The waist is narrow and the abdomen is prominent.
BCS 2 (Slightly underweight)	Ribs are easily palpable. Viewed from above, the waist is clearly defined and the abdomen is clearly lifted.
BCS 3 (Ideal Weight)	Ribs are palpable without excessive fat. Viewed from above, the waist is clearly defined behind the ribs. Viewed from the side, the abdomen is clearly lifted.
BCS 4 (Slightly overweight)	Ribs are palpable, with some fat. Viewed from above, the waist is clearly defined but not clearly lifted.
BCS 5 (Obese)	The ribs are covered with a thick layer of fat and are difficult to feel. Fat is also deposited in the lumbar spine and tailbone. There is no waistline or it is barely visible. The abdomen is not lifted or is rather drooping.

Source: "Pet Food Guidelines for Owners: Maintaining the Health of Dogs and Cats" 4. Health Management

The ideal body shape for a dog is one that achieves a score of 3. If your dog has a lot of fat or the ribs are not easily palpable, it may be slightly overweight or obese.

When checking your dog's BCS, have him stand and look at his body from above and from the side, while feeling his body.

Causes and Main Risks of Obesity

Obesity in dogs is caused by excessive calorie intake due to overeating and lack of exercise.

The main causes of obesity are said to be feeding excessive amounts of dog food or treats, or high-calorie foods.

The main risks of obese dogs are as follows:

• Strain on joints and spine (arthritis, etc.)
• Difficulty walking and exercising (exercise intolerance, etc.)
• Strain on respiratory and circulatory systems (tracheal collapse, etc.)
• Increased risk of illness (diabetes, etc.)
• Increased anesthesia and surgery complexity

While these illnesses and conditions do not necessarily manifest, the risk is higher in dogs with a standard build.

To reduce the risk as much as possible, owners should appropriately adjust their dog's food intake and be careful not to overfeed.

Also, make sure your dog gets enough exercise, such as daily walks.

When choosing dog food, choose low-fat, healthy options over high-calorie options. Recommended low-fat dog foods are listed in the article below, so please refer to it.

[Choosing Dog Food for Health] 5 Recommended Low-Fat Dog Foods

Which dog breeds are prone to gaining weight?

The following dog breeds are said to be prone to gaining weight:

• Dachshund
• Pug
• Beagle
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Welsh Corgi Pembroke
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Even dog breeds other than those listed above are prone to obesity if they continue to consume too many calories or lack exercise.

A dog's lifespan is closely related to obesity, and it's said that obese dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than dogs of average build.

Obesity is a dog's greatest enemy. You want your beloved pet to live a long and healthy life.

Even if your dog eats the same amount of food, weight gain can sometimes be caused by a slow metabolism or illness. If you notice any abnormalities, consult your veterinarian.

Owners of breeds that are prone to weight gain should pay particular attention to their dog's health and regularly check their body shape.

Summary (Cute Fat Dog Pictures and Obesity Information)

Chubby dogs are adorable, but obesity poses risks for dogs, just like it does for humans. If your dog is already overweight or is gaining weight, we recommend taking him to the vet for a health check.

Some dog breeds are more prone to gaining weight, while others may become overweight due to age or underlying illnesses.

Dog weight loss is based on diet and exercise, so please refer to the following article.

• Dog Diet [Exercise]
• Dog Diet [Food]】

If you want to see more cute pictures of fat dogs, check out various social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram!

We recommend this site, as you'll find lots of cute pictures of fat dogs uploaded by their owners.