Is my overweight dog's lethargy and irritability caused by his weight?

Question

My dog is overweight, by about 30%. His weight is at 20.5, the vet says his ideal weight is somewhere around 15.5. He rarely plays anymore, doesn’t like to go on walks, is more irritable, and overall lethargic. He’s been tested for hypothyroidism and all of the other diseases that can cause weight gain, everything was negative. I recently started measuring out the EXACT amount of calories he needs per day. Could obesity be the cause for the way he’s acting? Or could it be something else? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 3 years and 5 months old | 20 lbs

Angel Alvarado, LVT · Accepted Answer

Extra weight can put more strain on his spine and joints. This may cause pain which could be responsible for his grumpy behavior lately. Discuss pain management with your veterinarian and consider a short trial of medication. Swim therapy is an excellent low impact exercise that may be an option for Brian.

Is my overweight dog's lethargy and irritability caused by his weight?

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