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Many pet parents worry about their female dogs gaining weight after being spayed. Is this really a problem? Even so, spaying your dog is extremely important. You avoid the addition of unwanted puppies and control pet overpopulation. What’s more, your fur baby can avoid certain health issues such as mammary cancer, pyometra, and others.
But can spaying really cause a female dog to gain weight?
Changes a Female Dog May Experience After She’s Spayed
There are some changes a female dog may experience after she’s spayed, including in her metabolism. That means her metabolism may slow down, leading a dog to become overweight.
Changes in your dog’s sex hormones (estrogen & progesterone) reduces the levels of these hormones in a female dog’s system. The reduction in these hormones usually lead to a slower metabolism and other changes.
Spaying may increase your dog’s appetite, too, and cause her to gain weight. Spaying can make some dogs hungrier and want to eat more. However, the good news is there are things you can do to help keep your dog at a healthy weight!
Help Your Female Dog Stay at a Healthy Weight
- Dog food: ensure your female dog’s food is both nutritious and balanced. It’s also essential to make sure you serve her the right portion sizes. It may be necessary to reduce your fur baby’s serving size after she’s spayed. That’s because a dog’s metabolism slows down after her surgery.
- Exercise: another way to help manage your dog’s weight is to make sure she gets plenty of exercise. Not only does daily exercise manage her weight, but your female dog will love to be out playing and walking with you, too!
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Ask a Vet Live NowBeing Overweight is Bad for Dogs
Just like being overweight can be dangerous for us, the same applies to our female dogs. Overweight dogs are more prone to health issues such as orthopedic problems, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
In addition, studies have shown that overweight dogs tend to live about 1 year less than their slimmer counterparts.
However, studies also showed that keeping your female dog at a healthy weight can mean she’ll have a longer, healthier life, too.
Summing It Up
So, it is possible for a female dog to gain weight after she’s spayed. However, ensuring she eats meals that are right for her size, age, and activity level can help. Exercise is also important to keeping your dog at a healthy weight!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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