· Dogs are natural scavengers, believing that each meal could be their last. They appear hungry when they are not, this is because they are reverting back to their instincts of their ancestor, the wolf

· Dogs do not naturally eat little and often, humans often feed their dogs along the same patterns that they feed themselves, which is wrong. Dogs like to eat a lot at a time and then rest, so give them one or two big meals each day

· An overweight dog is nearly always the fault of the owner, except in certain circumstances, when the dog has a medical condition. One such condition is called hypothyroidism, which is caused by an under active thyroid and is usually more common in an older dog. Some of the symptom to look for are:
- Poor coat and skin conditions
- Increase in appetite
- Thirst
- Muscle pain
- Stiff joints and limbs
- Becoming slightly lame
If you notice any of these symptoms take him to the vet as this problem can be easily treated

· Arthritis, heart problems and respiratory problems are a major concern in overweight dogs, they sleep more and are less resistant to infection and their life expectancy will be shorter