A vet has shared a common response he hates hearing owners say when he has to break the news to them that their dog is overweight. Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with everyone having their favourite breed. Choosing to get a dog is a major commitment.
They require constant love and affection, regular health check-ups, daily exercise, stimulation and more. If you’re unable to manage those responsibilities, it can lead to an unhappy and potentially unhealthy dog. Though “man’s best friend” is an eclectic breed, each breed of dog has an ideal weight they should be at to best support their overall health and wellbeing.
According to the PDSA, overweight dogs, or dogs that are obese, face a greater risk of developing many conditions and problems. Some potential ailments include arthritis, diabetes, back problems like a slipped disk, Cushing’s disease, urinary incontinence, injury, some types of cancer, a reduced lifespan and much more.
With that in mind, one vet has shared his least favourite response when he tells an owner their dog needs to lose weight.
On TikTok, veterinarian Dr Amir Anwary has built a devoted following of hundreds of thousands thanks to his consistent video uploads where he details his expert opinion, personal experience and tips for animal care and ownership.
He’s also known for posting unserious dancing videos, where he shares his thoughts on certain scenarios he’s experienced during his job.
In a recent post, the vet shared a humorous take on what often happens when he tells owners their dogs are overweight. In the short clip, the vet can be seen acting out the scenario while music plays in the background.
Over the top of the footage, Dr Anwary penned: “Your dog is a little overweight. I think he needs to be on a diet.”
He then added the owner’s response: “You’re right, doctor. He’s fat, just like his mum.”
In the caption accompanying the post, he added: “Ummm I don’t know what you want me to say to that… if I agree I'm totally in trouble!” He then said this situation “actually happened” to him.
In the comments section, people shared their thoughts. One person said: “My senior dog was a bit overweight and the vet was like ‘Yeah he's healthy but he could stand to lose a couple kg’ and I was like ‘yeah same’ and he looked at me weird”.
Another confessed: “My dog gained weight with me during my pregnancy, we are trying our best to get it off.”
While someone else added: “I think if people bring their own body weight into it you can just laugh”.
It’s worth bearing in mind that veterinary professionals posting on social media are only sharing a generalised view based on their personal experiences. If you have any concerns about any of your pets, visit your vet for a thorough assessment and tailored treatment plan.
If you’re looking to welcome a dog into your family, make sure you conduct decent research to check you can manage the responsibilities associated with pet ownership.
Not all dogs are suitable for first time owners, and training can be necessary to manage certain behaviours.
It’s also worth considering the benefits of adopting a puppy or dog from a charity or local shelter instead of shopping from a breeder.
There are many animals in need of a forever home with a family who will love and care for them.
