We all know that obesity is a major problem for humans these days because it has been repeatedly covered in the news in recent months in terms of how it affects mobility, healthy and also how long we are expected to live. Obesity will also have the same effect on dogs. Overweight dogs will not be as mobile or in as good health as their target weight counterparts, and they will also not live as long.

In fact, the life expectancy of overweight dogs may actually be cut in half. For example, a bullmastiff that normally would have lived ten years may only live 5 or 6 years. Of course, this reduction in the life expectancy of overweight dogs really applies to those dogs that are one and a half times their healthy body weight but it does happen. Owners do let their dogs get into that kind of state without thinking that it is shortening their lives together!

However, it is never too late. If your dog is overweight, whether grossly overweight or carrying a little extra, you can get him or her back on track by introducing exercise into their routine and establishing a balanced diet for him or her. If you love your dog then life expectancy should be important to you and you should be committed to spending as much time as possible with your him or her, so do what you can to get him back into shape!