Pets and family

Factfinder

@jack

Hi Jack.

Maybe it's not what they feed their dog but how much. I doubt dog food alone would help with the dog's obesity but common sense tells us not to feed our pets as well as ourselves as much as our pets can eat. Gluttony seems more the immediate issue of concern here.

Dreamer

@jack

Hi, dogs are descendant from wolves and evolutionary adapted to binge eat, "woof down the food." Some breeds are more predisposed to this some dachshunds for example are known to eat and eat until they die, there a special term for this I forgot.

The idea is if a pack of wolves kills a deer, there may be a long time before they can eat again, therefore the risk of starvation is much greater than obesity and they eat all the can. Make sure the dog gets enough exercise, you may not be able to control what others feed the dog, but you can ensure lack of exercise isn't the reason for obesity.

Ask a veterinarian honestly, most recommend only Purina dog chow. Yet, I wouldn't use the word poisoning. After-all- there are people who do travel around mass poisoning and killing pets.

I recommend watching a few Caesar Milan Dog Whisper to show the both physical and mental benefits dogs enjoy from exercise and walking. I doubt the ASPCA would see this is abuse, there are far more serious cases including neglect and dog fighting they are worried about.