Ask Dr. Paola- Help! My Dogs Are Overweight! (April 13, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we carry knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.

Whether or not you’re a brand new pet mum or dad or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions to your most urgent questions. From vitamin ideas and preventive care to troubleshooting widespread behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to provide insights that can preserve your furry good friend completely satisfied and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steerage on a spread of matters that matter most to you and your canine, so you can also make knowledgeable choices and supply the very best care to your canine companion. ‎Have‎ a ‎question? Send it in here!

Assist! My Canines Are Chubby!

“Pricey Dr. Paola,

Each of my canine are obese. Tucker, our 10-year-old lab combine, has arthritis, and Mitch, our 7-year-old lab, is simply obese. What’s the greatest eating regimen pet food I can use for each? “ – Lisa

Hey Lisa,

You’re completely heading in the right direction, specializing in eating regimen, as a result of for each Tucker and Mitch, vitamin is likely one of the strongest instruments you’ve gotten. In obese canine, particularly Labradors, extra fats is like carrying a heavy backpack all day. It locations fixed stress on the joints, worsens irritation, and accelerates arthritis. The best method is a calorie-controlled, high-protein weight administration eating regimen designed to scale back physique fats whereas preserving muscle. These diets have lowered fats, elevated fiber to assist them really feel full, and sufficient protein to assist muscle throughout weight loss, which is crucial for joint stability and mobility. Diets formulated for giant breed weight administration are notably useful as a result of they stability decrease energy with nutrients like glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids to assist each satiety and joint well being.

For Tucker, the arthritis provides one other necessary layer. Diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, assist modulate joint irritation and enhance mobility over time. Canines with osteoarthritis fed these diets present improved weight bearing and luxury, which interprets into higher each day motion and high quality of life. On high of that, weight reduction itself performs a key function in arthritis administration, since decreasing physique weight decreases the load positioned on joints and improves operate.

In sensible phrases, select a veterinary weight administration components that features joint assist vitamins, measure portions primarily based on their perfect weight, and preserve treats minimal. Feeding each canine the identical eating regimen is completely applicable so long as Tucker’s joint wants are supported. When the vitamin is correct, their our bodies can transfer extra comfortably and effectively, making every day simpler for them.

Variety regards,

– Dr. Paola

In order for you actual time solutions to your questions, you may speak to certainly one of our veterinarians on-line. Click on on the picture or button beneath:

Assist! My Canine Will get Itchy Anal Glands!

“Hello Dr. Paola,

My shorty Jack Russell Terrier will get anal glands that itch, which results in a vet go to each 2-3 weeks. She’s 8 years previous and has a nutritious diet plus nutritional vitamins. I’ve tried Glandx, which doesn’t work. We tried pumpkin for extra fiber, however nonetheless the identical outcomes. Any strategies you could provide my lady? Thanks,” – Stella

Hello Stella,

I can hear how irritating that is, particularly when you find yourself already doing the proper issues. When anal glands are filling and inflicting irritation each couple of weeks, it often means the problem isn’t just fiber, however how the glands are emptying or what’s affecting the anal sac atmosphere. In lots of canine, particularly smaller breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, the ducts could be slender or inefficient, so even with good stool high quality, they don’t empty correctly. On high of that, underlying irritation from allergic reactions, mostly environmental or dietary, can enhance gland secretions and make them thicker, virtually like attempting to squeeze toothpaste via {a partially} blocked tube.

Since fiber dietary supplements and normal eating regimen changes haven’t helped, the subsequent step is to look a bit deeper. A focused eating regimen trial utilizing a hydrolyzed or novel protein veterinary diet for 6 to 8 weeks will help decide if meals sensitivity is contributing, even in canine that appear in any other case wholesome. On the similar time, your veterinarian could think about evaluating the gland contents for an infection or irregular cells, as a result of power impaction can typically result in low-grade an infection that retains the cycle going. Some canine additionally profit from including particular forms of fiber like psyllium moderately than pumpkin, because it kinds a extra constant stool that may apply higher strain to the glands throughout defecation.

If this sample continues regardless of these steps, there are further choices which are very efficient. Commonly scheduled expressions earlier than discomfort begins will help break the cycle, and in recurrent instances, procedures like anal sac flushing or infusion with remedy can scale back irritation and recurrence. As a final resort, surgical elimination is taken into account, however solely when all medical choices have been exhausted, because it carries its personal dangers. In a scenario like this, an entire assessment of her full historical past and fine-tuning the plan is necessary, so you aren’t simply reacting each few weeks however truly getting forward of the issue.

I hope this helps!

– Dr. Paola

This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection

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