"Being overweight is associated with, and exacerbates and compounds, several serious medical conditions,” says William Fortney, DVM, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine pathobiology at Kansas State University. Conditions include:

Arthritis: “Additional stress on limb joints eventually damages and wears out the joint cartilage, resulting in progressively painful joint movements and a much less active patient that is in chronic debilitating pain.”

Back Problems: “Additional stress on the intervertebral discs increases the chance of a ruptured or slipped disc in breeds more prone to disc disease [Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Welsh Corgis],” Fortney says. “This condition is very painful, can require expensive surgery, and occasionally causes permanent paralysis of the hind legs and loss of fecal and bladder control.”

Heart and Lung Problems: “Additional stress on the heart decreases its ability to effectively pump oxygenated blood to all the body tissues, including the brain,” Fortney says. “That definitely aggravates any degree of congestive heart failure that might already exist. In addition, the accumulation of fat in the chest cavity decreases the patient’s ability to breath and pant, and the lungs to inflate adequately,” he says. “As a result, the patient has difficulty breathing and tires very easily.”

Diabetes: “Affected patients drink more water, urinate more, eat more, and require daily, lifesaving insulin injections to survive."

Heat Exhaustion and Fatal Heat Stroke: “Excess fat acts as insulation, trapping body heat inside, and decreases the heart’s ability to aid in cooling,” according to Fortney. “Overweight dogs have decreased ability to pant and expend heat, making them even more susceptible to the effects of heat.”

It’s never too early to start monitoring your dog’s weight: Both adults and puppies should be trim and have a tucked-in tummy, noticeable waist, and ribs you can easily feel-and almost see in shorthaired breeds. For a better understanding of your dog’s weight situation, ask your veterinarian to give her a body condition score.

To prevent obesity, feed measured amounts of food-30 calories per pound a day based on your dog’s ideal body weight, advises Deborah S. Greco, DVM, Ph.D., of the Animal Medical Center in New York. “Your veterinarian can tell you what your dog should weigh and specify diet formula and serving sizes.”

Because a dog’s metabolism slows with age, and spaying and neutering decrease energy expenditure by almost 40 percent, adjustments in food portions or exercise will likely be needed, Greco says.

"For dogs who are already overweight, reduce food amounts by 20 percent, increase exercise, and avoid treats-a major source of extra calories," she adds.

"On a daily basis, I see the devastating effects of obesity on my patients’ health,” Fortney says. “While we do see these diseases in thin pets, obesity significantly increases a pet’s risks for contracting any of these chronic, debilitating conditions.”

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