Your Dog is Fat

People don't like to be told that their pets are fat. They get highly offended and react negatively, and often deny that their pet has a weight problem. Being defensive doesn't help the animal at all. Recently I saw a social media account with two dogs who were so obese I at first thought they were pigs. Upon scrolling through their 100+ pictures, I noticed that there were no more than 3 or 4 that showed the dogs doing anything other than laying down, napping on beds, couches, blankets, etc. The owner made it a point to mention that the dogs "get the best of everything". 
Unfortunately these dogs were not getting what they needed to thrive and live happy, healthy lives. The best of everything does not include all you can eat meals and sedentary lifestyles. In fact, aside from being too fat to run and play, they were probably bored out of their minds. Overweight animals are not cute or funny. Abuse comes in many forms.

Over half of the dogs and cats in the US are overweight. That is an astoundingly shocking number for something so easily prevented, especially when you take into account all of the owners who would rush their pets to the vet at any sign of illness. If you would do anything to keep your best friend healthy, why wouldn't that include a healthy diet? Obesity can cause arthritis, heart disease, and kidney disease, just to name a few.

Maintaining your dog's ideal weight is as simple as following the feeding instructions on the package label, making sure they get adequate exercise, and limiting treats and snacks.
Free-feeding, where you fill your dog's bowl and let them pick at it all day, should never be done. You have no control over when and how much your dog eats. It gets even worse when there are multiple dogs in the house eating from the same bowl. If one dog should ever become sick and stop eating normally, you'd want to know right away!

Some dogs will stop eating when they feel full, but others will keep going as long as food is available. Overfeeding your dog because you think he is still hungry is not doing him any favors. Nor is feeding him a lot of treats just because he loves them.
The type of food you buy should be one of the most important aspects of owning an animal. Ask yourself before getting a pet if you can afford to feed a good quality diet. A german shepherd is going to cost a whole lot more to feed than a chihuahua, and it's sad to see people heaving around 50lb bags of dog food that they got for 20 bucks. Not all food is created equal, and chances are that food is the lowest ranking.
Real meat (not by-product) should always be the main ingredient. Stay away from "colored" kibbles. Those look fancy to humans, not dogs. 
Know what a healthy dog is supposed to look like! Dogs of all breeds should have a noticeable "tuck" in the abdomen while standing, as well as a defined waist when viewed from above. Run your fingers along your dog's side and you should be able to feel ribs with only a slight amount of pressure. Dogs eating healthy diets should also have a nice coat and little to no odor.

Our pets don't feed themselves. If your dog is overweight consult with your vet or a nutritionist and make a change! There is nothing shameful in admitting that your dog needs to lose weight, and the journey to a healthier lifestyle can be started at just the next meal.