Dog handler Golubev warned about the danger of obesity in dogs in winter | Nature | Society

For any dog, there is nothing better than an active walk outside. However, in winter the weather does not always allow for quality walking of your pet. Therefore, the dog’s activity decreases, and the four-legged friend runs the risk of gaining excess weight. The President of the Russian Cynological Federation, Vladimir Golubev, warned about this in a conversation with journalists from the AGN “Moscow”.

“Excess weight is bad for any dog. In winter, not only people tend to gain weight. Most often, pets move less during the cold season, stay at home more and beg for food,” said Golubev.

Eating high-calorie treats will not only cause your dog to gain weight and bulk up. The most dangerous thing is that excess weight directly affects the health of the pet.

The specialist also recalled that dogs are also prone to laziness. They become accustomed to a sedentary daily routine and then begin to give up their usual long walks. The owner must adjust the dog’s diet and activity, but it is better to seek advice from a specialist.

“If your pet has a noticeable decrease in activity, you need to think about reducing the caloric content of his meals. But such a decision should be made only after consultation with a veterinarian,” Golubev emphasized.

But for dogs that live in outdoor enclosures, an additional layer of fat will not hurt: a slight weight gain will help avoid discomfort in the cold. The agency’s interlocutor also noted that booths and enclosures must be insulated by winter.