Fat German Shepherd Is A Big Problem

German Shepherds are some of the best dogs in the world. They are extremely smart, obedient and they are great pets period. In general, they are healthy dogs. One of the biggest issues or problems nowadays is a dog with too many pounds. A fat German Shepherd is not something you want to see. Yes, they look nice when fat, like small bears but this is not good. Let’s see why and what you should do about it.

How You Can Tell When A German Shepherd Is Fat

For some of you, an overweight dog is when he can’t walk because his stomach is touching the ground. For others, there is no such thing as a fat dog. In reality, many dogs are obese. This applies to German Shepherds. Just because they don’t look extremely obese it doesn’t mean they have proper weight. A fat German Shepherd will have minor differences compared to a dog of the correct weight. There are three signs you can use to tell when a dog is obese.

The first one is when you can’t feel his ribs. When you touch his middle part and you press gently (due to the thick coat) you must be able to feel the ribs. If you can’t, he is obese. This is the first and the simplest thing you can use to get the correct answer.

German Shepherds are active dogs and they do have a lot of stamina. This simply means that you won’t see panting all the time, after walking for one block. If your dog does this, it means that he has too much weight which makes him tired sooner. Keep in mind that it is normal to see a dog panting when the temperature is high or when he is very active.

All German shepherds must have a rib cage that is well defined. If you can’t see this, he is obese. This can be a bit more complicated to check so you may need professional help or you can take him to a vet.

The ideal weight for a German Shepherds is 30-40 kilograms for males (68-88 pounds) or 22-32 kilograms for females (48-70 pounds). Any number higher than this means the obvious.

Here’s Why German Shepherds Gain Too Much Weight

There are a lot of reasons why German shepherds are obese these days. This affects many dogs so you can see the problem. Below we will discuss all the most common reasons. These should help you avoid the problem.

1. He eats too much

Obviously, if you want to get fat you will eat more. The same thing applies to dogs. If you feed your German shepherd too much, he will gain weight. Table scraps and a lot of treats are the most responsible for obese dogs! 

2. Treats

If you use treats that don’t have a lot of calories, this will not apply to your dog. But, if you use ordinary treats like cookies, you will end up with a fat dog. In other words, your pet will get many treats, hence he will get a lot of calories. You end up with a fat German shepherd. 

3. Carb intake is high

These dogs need a diet that is focused on protein and fats, not carbohydrates. If you have a diet that is high on carbs but low on protein, your German shepherd will gain weight very quickly. 

4. Age

Not all German shepherds are fat because of the food and lack of physical activity. Older dogs are fat because they don’t move much and they have a slower metabolism. 

5. Health problems

German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs. But, some of them do develop certain issues. Some of these can cause weight gain. For instance, bloat, hypothyroidism and a few more can make your dog gain weight despite the fact he will still eat normally. 

6. Lack of physical activity 

Mix lack of physical activity and eating too much. You get an ideal recipe for gaining weight. With German shepherds, this is a huge problem. They are active dogs and they need a lot of physical activity. Many owners are unable to provide them with that. 

7. Genes

It is possible that your pet is fat due to genes. You need to look at his parents if possible. If they are obese and too big for a German shepherd your pet might be the same. This is very rare though.

Obese German Shepherds Don’t Live Long

For German Shepherds being obese is a nightmare. First of all, they have issues with their hips. Add weight to the equation and you can see a huge problem. This is very severe and it will need treatment. The situation is the same when it comes to joints. Obese dogs do suffer more and have bigger problems with their joints. Arthritis is common in obese dogs as well!

German shepherds who are obese usually don’t live as long as healthy dogs! This is the worst issue here and the one you need to memorize. This happens if a dog is obese for a long period of time. 

3 Things Dog Owners Should Do

If you have a German Shepherd who is obese, there are three things you can do. Yes, you will have to do all these three. There are no exceptions.

1. Take him to a vet

The first thing is to take him to a vet so he can check his health. If your pet is healthy and there is no hypothyroidism or anything else that can be responsible for obesity, move to the next thing. 

2. Change the diet plan

Your pet needs a protein-rich diet and fats. He doesn’t need carbs. You need to use a diet that will provide this to him. Also, you need to decrease or eliminate treats. 

3. Provide him plenty of physical activity 

It is essential. Allow your German Shepherd to run and be active as much as he can. With a lot of physical activity, he will lose weight.

The final word

A fat German Shepherd is a huge problem for a dog and it is something you must try to avoid. If this still happens, you will have to provide him with a proper diet and lots of physical activity so he can lose weight. Then, just maintain normal weight and your pet will be fine.

Recommended Readings:

• Can Dogs Eat Ice Cream?
• Can dogs eat peaches?
• Is Turkey Safe For Dogs?
• Can Dogs Have Raw Meat?