Seriously, how can anybody think an overweight and likely suffering living thing is “cute”? <\/span><\/p>\n And the worse part of it is that it’s not even the Shiba Inus fault. It’s all the fault of their unknowing owners who sometimes don’t realize the seriousness of their actions or “lack” of actions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u200bGranted, many owners of course don’t mean to purposely harm their dogs.<\/span><\/span> But they need to understand that there are serious consequences of indulging their Shiba Inus in too much food and treats.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, many owners defend their actions by saying that they “just follow the directions on the bag”.<\/em> The bag directions are just rough “guidelines” and the actual proper amount to to feed can vary by 25% or even more.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Association For Pet Obesity Prevention<\/a>, pet obesity is one of the fastest rising health threats to our pets – but it also is the number one preventable disease.\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So while we can’t 100% prevent cancer, hereditary diseases, autoimmune diseases, etc we CAN <\/span>and MUS<\/span>T <\/span>prevent pet obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n This fat Shibe trend literally “burst” in popularity when pictures of Cody, a morbidly obese Shiba Inu began circulating around the Interweb. <\/span><\/p>\n This poor Shiba Inu could barely move, walk, and even breathe. Thankfully a new owner adopted Cody from his previous owners who were old and probably didn’t know any better, and put him on a strict diet and exercise regime.<\/span><\/p>\n Thankfully, Cody lost the weight and is healthy again.<\/span><\/p>\n @danisnotonfire<\/a> This is Cody the Shiba Inu pic.twitter.com\/7zP3pqekBm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ezza (@erinluvsbtr) January 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″][\/tcb-script]<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the fat Shiba Inu trend continued…<\/p>\n This trend popular in many social media circles call fat Shiba Inus “thic boi’s<\/span>,” “fat doge<\/span>,” “fat woofer<\/span>,” and “fat Shibez<\/span>.” <\/p>\n People seem to think that rolls of fat on their dog is cute.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, letting your dog eat whatever it wants and go without much activity to burn that food off is literally killing him\/her with kindness. Those daily treats of love are only harming your pet in the long run.<\/p>\n I’d be this fat if I lived in HK. So many tempting food options here, pushing me towards gluttony! #doge<\/a> #shibainu<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/B82b3SG6cW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Wanderlust Spice (@wanderlustspice) September 16, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″][\/tcb-script]<\/p>\n \u200bAccording to findings reported by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)<\/span><\/a>, more than 45 percent of dogs are classified as overweight or obese. As of 2017, the number of adult dogs that are obese or overweight is 53%.<\/span><\/p>\n APOP, partnered with DoSomething.org, also released the following statistics:<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Many owners don\u2019t realize that their animal companion is actually at an unhealthy weight. 22% of dog owners stated they thought their overweight dog was at a normal weight.<\/span><\/p>\n Just as overweight is becoming the new norm for humans, there is also a \u201cfat pet gap,\u201d which is normalizing obesity in companion animals by pet owners.<\/p>\n Veterinarians believe that there is a \u201cdirect correlation between childhood and pet obesity.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Purina Lifespan Study<\/span><\/a>, obesity will take almost two years off a dog\u2019s life. The longer your dog is overweight, the less of a lifetime he\/she will have.<\/p>\n Unlike people, every single pound on your dog\u2019s body is either going to maintain health or detract from it.<\/p>\n Being overweight puts significant stress on your pet\u2019s musculoskeletal system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the past, fat itself was considered inert and not harmful in and of itself. However, new research<\/a> has proven that fat is actually biologically active and secretes harmful and inflammatory hormones throughout the overweight dog’s body.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This leads to damaging oxidative stress to bodily tissues. <\/p>\n Basically, an overweight dog is constantly dealing with chronic low level inflammation<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Here are other problems that can occur:<\/p>\n Breathing difficulties and respiratory diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Decreased stamina and exercise intolerance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Insulin resistance, which can result in diabetes and other metabolic syndromes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Heat intolerance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Heart disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Liver dysfunction or disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lameness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Osteoarthritis, especially in the hips<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lowered immune response<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Increased risk of developing fatty and malignant tumors (cancer)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Seizures<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kidney disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Skin diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Thyroid problems<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Orthopedic problems, cranial cruciate ligament injuries<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you don\u2019t know if your Shiba Inu is just super fluffy or overweight, the best way to have your floofer\u2019s health assessed is to take them to the veterinarian.<\/span><\/p>\n Between visits, though, you can visually and manually figure out if your pet weighs too much.<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of the breed, you should be able to feel your Shiba Inu\u2019s ribs without much fat over them. <\/span><\/p>\n Also, your Shiba Inu\u2019s chest should be wider than his\/her abdomen. There should also be a noticeable tuck-up from chest to stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n Should your dog be overweight, you won\u2019t be able to see a defined tuck-up, waist, and no separation from chest and stomach. Other signs include noisy breathing, waddling, walking slower than normal, and more naps than usual..<\/span><\/p>\n There are a number of studies out there about overweight and obese dogs who were released after being grossly neglected.<\/span><\/p>\n But perhaps one of the most inspirational would be that of Cody the Chubby Shiba Inu (although, he\u2019s definitely not chubby anymore).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n When Cody was adopted by his owners in 2014, he weighed an unbelievable 104 pounds. Ideally, a Shiba Inu of Cody\u2019s size shouldn\u2019t have weighed more than 30 – 35 pounds.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Cody was more than 50 pounds overweight.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For a medium-sized dog, this is a horrifying situation to be in.<\/span><\/p>\n The amazing journey of Cody, the morbidly obese Shiba Inu.http:\/\/t.co\/S25SzsYKXV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/iMXX9cZLoW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Holidog Times (@HolidogTimes) March 24, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″][\/tcb-script]<\/p>\n Cody could barely move, let alone live a healthy life. Veterinarians feared that Cody would suffer from a fatal heart attack at any moment. One wrong move, and that would be the end of him.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Cody\u2019s new family was able to get him down to the healthy weight recommended for the Shiba Inu breed. This effort, though, not months but years.<\/span><\/p>\n How did they do it?<\/span><\/p>\n The truth is that helping you dog lose weight is no different than how you drop a few pounds.<\/span><\/p>\n With healthy lifestyle changes that show up in a more nutritionally balanced, appropriately sized meals as well as more regular exercise, a dog can begin to shed their extra pounds to get back to their optimal weight range.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, since dogs are not as self-controlled as humans, making sure your chubby companion is keeping up with these lifestyle changes falls on you and your family.<\/span><\/p>\n If you follow Cody\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>, you will see that even today his weight fluctuates. Cody\u2019s just like any of us–struggling to keep the weight off and embrace a healthier lifestyle!<\/span><\/p>\n In other words, once your friend gets down to their healthy weight, you cannot go back to the original routine that got them fat in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n Using Cody\u2019s inspiring journey as well as some tips from veterinarians, you can help your fat floof get their weight in control and reclaim their life.<\/span><\/p>\n First, if you want to check out how Cody\u2019s owners got him back to normal weight, you can check out their eBook, \u201cTips From Cody The Overloved Shiba Inu<\/a><\/span>.\u201d The story alone is heartwarming, but you also get access to insightful tips.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Always check with your veterinarian to make a healthy plan for your pet. Every animal is different, and there may be health complications to work around.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Once you have consulted with your vet, you can then begin to construct the most beneficial plan.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Next, incorporate the following knowledge into your pet\u2019s weight loss journey:<\/span><\/p>\n Measuring Cups<\/p>\n Don\u2019t simply measure out how much you should be pouring into your dog\u2019s bowl. The usual recommended amount is often in ounces (depending on where you are from). If you are using a standard plastic cup, you might be pouring in double than the recommended amount.<\/p>\n In order to scoop the correct amount, refer to this:<\/span><\/p>\n Remember, the guidelines you read on the bag are just that – guidelines. It’s up to you to constantly monitor and assess your Shibas weight and health.<\/span><\/p>\n If your Shiba is gaining weight, you must slowly lessen the portion of food you serve.<\/span><\/p>\n Portion control is important. <\/span>Very important.<\/span><\/p>\nWhen Did Fat Shiba Inus Become “Entertaining”?<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
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\u200bThe Harmful Effects of an Overweight Shiba Inu<\/h2>\n
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The Story of Cody, the Overloved Shiba Inu<\/h5>\n
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The Fat Shiba Guide to Losing Weight for Good<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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