Is Your Dog Overweight?

• Certain dog breeds are more prone to obesity than others. Sometimes large-breed dogs might not seem overweight, but they really are. The American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty in Animals (ASPCA) recommends that owners do an assessment to determine if a dog is overweight. If you can't feel your dog's ribs without pressing, he probably needs to go on a diet. However, it's always a good idea to first check with a veterinarian to make sure an underlying medical reason isn't to blame for Fluffy's weight gain.
  
  

Health Risks

• Dogs who are overweight tend to experience an array of bladder-related problems which can actually be a symptom of a much greater problem, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association's website. Obesity in pets is a leading cause of diabetes, and one of the most commons symptoms of diabetes is frequent urination. Dogs with diabetes exhibit excessive thirst and therefore will feel the need to urinate more than what most owners consider normal. Excess weight on your dog's frame puts extra pressure on organs, including the animal's bladder, causing frequent urges to urinate. Another symptom of diabetes is urinary tract infections, which manifests itself in dogs through whimpering when urinating.
  
  

Seek help

• If your dog is experiencing bladder problems and if your dog is overweight, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends consulting a veterinarian immediately. While the bladder symptoms could be a simple side effect of weight gain, it could also be a symptom of a very serious---and life-threatening---condition such as diabetes or bladder cancer.
  
  

Treatment

• If your overweight dog is experiencing bladder problems, such as the need to urinate frequently, it is important that you accommodate your pet until you are able to consult a veterinarian. Making your dog hold his urine can lead to more health problems, such as bladder infections, according to vetinfo.com. Your veterinarian might need to prescribe antibiotics to treat a bladder or kidney infection, or your dog might be required to eat a special prescription diet, such as Hill's c/d or Purina's UR, to help resolve his bladder problems once diagnosed.
  
  

Prevention

• Helping your dog to maintain a healthy weight for his size is the best way to avoid bladder problems and other health risks. Consulting your veterinarian about a proper diet, cutting back on your dog's food and making sure he receives enough daily exercise cannot only make your dog healthier, but it can make him happier, too.