Happy dogs are happy dogs!

Have you heard about people experiencing the effect of staying home more and gaining weight called the Quarantine 15? Well, it is happening to our pets too and can lead to serious health consequences!

Extra Pounds for Pet Parents Can Mean Extra Pounds for Pups

While it may be too soon to know the full impact of social distancing or home quarantine on our waistlines, we know that many people find themselves feeling a little thicker around the middle. Facebook recently reported more than half a million people using hashtags such as #quarantine15 or #quarantineweight. Increase in stress, anxiety, less physical activity, new baking hobbies, indulging in comfort foods and more screen time are just a few reasons for the weight gain. What is this doing to our pups? Pretty much the same thing.

Pet weight scaleBefore coronavirus changed our daily routines, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports in 2019 that 55.8% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese (body condition scale of 6-9.)

A survey of 1,000 pet parents from early June revealed that 25% feel their pet has gained “a little weight” while 8% feel their pet has gained “a lot of weight” since March 2020.

A Healthy Dog is a Happy Dog

Dogs who are overweight or obese face an increased risk in health conditions such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Orthopedic problems like knee injures
  • Heart and lung diseases
  • High blood pressure
  • Skin diseases
  • WORST OF ALL – Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years less than the average healthy dog)

What do vets and pet parents say actually works for canine weight loss?

Chart of pet weight loss effectiveness

Help Your Dog Stay Healthy and Fit

Don’t stress if your dog has gained a few pounds, there are many things you can do, including food management and exercise, to help get them back in shape. Just like humans, results will not come overnight for your dog. Patience is key! And make sure to celebrate the little wins both you and your dog achieve. Here are a few healthy tips to start implementing into your dog’s daily routine:

  • Stick to feeding schedules and routines
  • Food does not equal affection. Resist the temptation of offering comfort food table scraps.
  • Teach new tricks
  • Exercise
  • Rest

Stuck at home during coronavirus or don’t have enough yard space for your dog to run and throw the ball? Bring your dog to Dogtopia daycare where they’ll have a fun-filled day full of open playtime, socialization and education. Learn more about doggie daycare.