National Walk Your Dog Week was founded in 2010 by Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate Colleen Paige, to bring awareness to the ever-increasing problem of canine behavior issues and canine obesity in America. Walk Your Dog Week aims to improve the health and well being of dogs around the globe and sends the message to unchain your dogs. "With more and more people becoming sedentary and gaining weight due to a lack of exercise, says Colleen Paige, founder of the day. Too many dogs don't get the necessary outlet they need to stay physically and mentally healthy. I feel that part of the overpopulation of dogs in this country is hugely associated with our growing waistlines. Generally, the less a person exercises, the less their dog exercises. Having trained thousands of dogs, it's my estimation that at least 75% or more of dogs in shelters are there, due to a lack of exercise, which has resulted in serious behavior issues such as aggression, destruction and separation anxiety.

Often, dogs run away from home because they're left alone and bored or kept sequestered all day long in a crate or a small yard, which only exacerbates a dog's destructive, aggressive or anxious tendencies. This, coupled with a lack of exercise and too much fatty food, leads to obesity, as well as medical issues like pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease and the number one killer of dogs, cancer. October is a beautiful time of year everywhere to get outside. Walking your dog on a daily basis not only increases the endorphins in both human and canine brains but it improves the bond between dog parent and dog.

More Than Half of America’s Dogs May Be Carrying Too Much Weight

If your dog has a little extra padding around the middle, you’re far from alone. Canine overweight and obesity have become remarkably common in the United States, and many pet owners may not realize just how widespread the problem has become.
The American Veterinary Medical Association currently reports that 52.7% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. That translates to more than one out of every two dogs. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has reported an even higher figure. In its 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, veterinary professionals classified 59% of dogs evaluated as overweight or having obesity.

Those numbers are striking, but there is another issue that can make the problem harder to recognize: our perception of what a healthy-weight dog looks like has changed. When extra weight becomes common, a heavier dog can begin to look “normal” simply because we see so many of them. A few extra pounds may not seem significant, particularly on a larger dog, but even relatively modest excess weight can affect a dog’s mobility, comfort and overall health. Veterinarians generally evaluate a dog’s body condition rather than relying on weight alone. Breed, body structure, muscle mass and individual characteristics all matter. Two dogs weighing exactly the same amount can have very different ideal body conditions.

It is also important to remember that these statistics come from different sources and populations. The AVMA’s current 52.7% estimate and APOP’s 59% veterinary-assessment figure should not be treated as identical measurements. Nevertheless, they point in the same direction: excess weight is extremely common among America’s dogs.

So the next time you look at your dog and think, “They’re just a little chunky,” it may be worth taking a closer look. Your veterinarian can assess your dog’s body condition and determine whether their weight is appropriate for their particular size, breed, age and build. Because when it comes to our dogs, a healthy waistline isn’t about making them look good. It’s about giving them the best chance at staying comfortable, mobile and healthy for as many years as possible.