Run your hands along the sides of your dog—can you feel his ribs? Does your dog have an obvious “waist,” a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage? If you answered “no” to either of these questions, there is a good chance that your dog is one of the estimated 40% of all dogs suffering from being overweight or obese. Being overweight can have a range of adverse health consequences for your dog, and prompt attention to your dog’s physical condition is the first step in curbing the epidemic of overweight dogs.
Dogs become overweight for the same general reasons as their owners: their calorie intake is greater than what they burn off in a day, and those excess calories are converted into fat. Unfortunately, the biggest culprit in making a dog overweight is often the person who loves them most, easily giving in to begging for food and treats in addition to their regular meals.
Most commercially available dog food is designed to be a complete food, meaning that when fed alone, it will provide all of the dog’s nutritional needs. So what happens when you feed that complete food along with treats and table scraps? Your dog is now receiving a far greater amount of calories than their daily requirement. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total diet, and their food intake should be adjusted accordingly for the amount of treats they typically receive.
The Impact of Lack of Exercise on Obesity
Along with higher calorie intake, lack of activity plays a significant role in the prevalence of overweight dogs. Our increasingly busy lifestyles make it more difficult to find time for a nightly walk or an hour at the park, so excess calories are not being burned off as readily. In addition to exercise, as dogs age, their metabolism typically slows down, bringing their caloric needs down as well.
Although the cause of most obesity is generally attributable to overfeeding and lack of exercise, there are several health problems that can cause dogs to become overweight, such as hypothyroidism. It’s important to consult with your veterinarian about your overweight dog, as simple blood tests can rule out this and other medical conditions that could be contributing to your dog’s weight. Treating these underlying conditions will greatly improve your dog’s health and chances of success in a weight loss program.
Being overweight also causes a range of serious health problems for dogs, affecting every major part of their body. Overweight dogs experience added stress on their joints, bones, and muscles from carrying around extra weight. This can lead to muscle and ligament strains and tears, joint deterioration, and rapidly developing arthritis. Dogs with a predisposition to orthopedic problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia or back issues, are especially at risk of more rapid and severe complications as a result of being overweight.
Being overweight also predisposes dogs to problems with their major organs. Obesity requires the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, which can lead to high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Additional fat in the chest can restrict the expansion of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. Being overweight requires more effort from the heart, muscles, and respiratory systems to perform basic functions, leading to decreased endurance and stamina. Excess fat in the liver can lead to decreased liver function and even liver failure.
Diabetes mellitus is a growing problem seen in overweight dogs. Obesity increases insulin production in dogs, which over time can deplete the body’s ability to produce insulin, causing diabetes.
In addition, skin and hair problems, digestive issues, and even an increased risk of cancer are all potential side effects of being overweight, ultimately contributing to a decreased quality and length of life.
An exam with your veterinarian should be performed before starting any kind of weight loss program with your dog. Along with ruling out any medical causes of obesity, your vet can help design a program that both you and your dog can follow, determine a target weight, and provide valuable suggestions and support in helping you slim down your canine companion.
When it comes to reducing caloric intake, in some cases, a simple reduction in the amount of food your dog gets might be sufficient to bring about weight loss. In more severe cases, a prescription weight loss diet might be recommended to help ensure calorie restriction. Feeding your pet smaller meals several times a day will help keep him from feeling like he’s being denied and will also keep his metabolism working all day long.
While cutting calories in your dog’s food, make sure that everyone in the household is on board with the diet plan. Nothing is more frustrating than having your dog on a diet and not seeing any success, only to find out that someone in the house is “sneaking” him treats and food on the sly! The amount of dog treats needs to be reduced as well, and if possible, replaced with low-calorie treats.
Along with reducing the diet, exercise is a cornerstone in helping your dog lose weight. For a previously sedentary dog, suddenly starting a vigorous exercise program can have adverse health effects, so begin with short, easy walks, gradually increasing time and intensity as the dog’s activity level increases. Once you and your dog get into the habit of a daily exercise routine, you may find that you’re both looking forward to it and benefiting from it!
It is important to remember that rapid weight loss is almost as damaging to your dog as being overweight in the first place. The goal of any diet program should be slow, steady weight loss, with gradually improving health. Periodic rechecks with your vet will help keep the goal in sight and determine when your pet has reached his optimum weight.
Once your dog has reached his ideal weight, the struggle is not over! After all, gaining weight is always much easier than losing it. Make a conscious effort to continue the exercise program you’ve been working on, and continued monitoring of your dog’s weight will help ensure that he isn’t creeping upward on the scale again.
Overweight dogs suffer from a range of serious and debilitating health conditions, as well as a decreased life expectancy and quality of life. Through medical care, diligence, careful diet considerations, and an exercise program, you can help your dog achieve his ideal weight and live a longer, happier life.
