Fat Back Chihuahua

Cute! But morbidly Obese...

Obese Chihuahuas Live Shorter Lives

(Not just Chihuahuas, all dogs!)

Every day Doc Truli hears someone say, “He’s so cute fat like that!”  Is this some form of reverse Anorexia by Proxy?  Do people think a dog or cat or child is cuter fatter because they have a body dysmorphia projecting onto the pet or the child?  Sure seems like it!

Then there are the people that judge every dog they see on a walk,”Oh, look at that, what a shame.  He’s just too thin!”  They are rarely right!

Fact is, thinner dogs live 2-4 years longer than their calorie glutting fat friends.

Which Chihuahua is Normal?

Surprise! 1 is obese and two are normal.  The obese Chihuahua is 50% overweight.  He weighs 16 pounds and he should be 8 pounds. He eats 100% extra calories each day.  Probably in canned food, or treats and semi-soft chews that are unregulated.  Imagine this: most treats are about 30 calories each and an eight-pound chihuahua should eat maybe 250-300 calories per 24-hour day (depending on athleticism.)  So 10 treats is already enough calories.  Unfortunately they are “empty calories.”  All calorie and no nutrition.

Does this help you rethink why your dog might be fat?

Too Fat? You decide!

See the rolls around his neck? And his belly touches the table! BCS 9/9

Nice tummy tuck! BCS 5/9

No hourglass waistline?

Body Condition Score 4/9

Body Condition Score 4/9 or 3/5