Last month, leading pet food brand, Hill’s Pet Nutrition attracted scores of visitors to its stand at Crufts – providing guests with an interactive experience using fun, educational activities designed to illustrate how life-long health starts with science.
The stand featured an interactive digital weight tool, allowing visitors to identify whether their pet is the ideal weight. Many owners don’t realise their dog is overweight because it happens gradually over time, but even though a few extra pounds might not be immediately noticeable, they can add up to serious health issues.
What causes weight gain in dogs?
Weight gain is the result of an increase in body fat, usually caused by the combination of eating too much and lack of exercise. There can be other contributing factors that include:
- Age – older dogs are less active, have less energy and require fewer calories.
- Breed – some dog breeds are more likely to gain weight than others.
- Neutering/spaying – clinical studies have shown that the metabolism of neutered dogs is lower.
- Medical problems – very occasionally, weight gain is associated with a medical disorder that may require specific treatment.
- Overfeeding – dogs with unlimited access to food understandably eat more than they need.
The food your dog eats directly affects its overall health and wellbeing. Speak to your vet about Hill’s range of weight management foods to help your dog lose weight and lead a healthy, active life.
For more information, visit the Hill's Pet Nutrition website.