PREVENT DOG OBESITY WITH A HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE

Curious if your dog is overweight or obese? Most medical references consider dog weights that falls between a range of 10 - 20% above the ideal body weight range to be considered overweight, while dogs weighing more than 20% over their targeted body weight are considered obese.

Having an overweight or obese dog may not necessarily impact their personality, but does impact overall health. In studies relating to dog health, links have been made between obesity and a variety of health problems, including arthritis, chronic kidney disease, bladder/urinary tract disease, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, and cancer. According to Dr. Ward of Associate for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), “We think it’s very important that people understand this isn’t just a cosmetic issue,” says Dr. Ward. “There is a physiological consequence to this" (American Kennel Club, 2023). A lifetime study in Labrador retrievers found that dogs who maintained an ideal body weight lived on average 2 years longer than their overweight siblings (Kealy et al. 2013).

In long range studies, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found that less is more when it comes to feeding pets and living longer. Longevity studies found that dogs fed 25% fewer calories than their normal diet, and kept weight at a lean body mass, added two years to their lifespan and had fewer medical problems overall. This study also identified less weight contributed to fewer medications and a more active lifestyle into old age.

Additionally, according to a 2019 Banfield Pet Hospital study, the percentage of overweight and obese pets has reached epidemic levels. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reports 59% of dogs, in the US, are considered overweight, The 2022 Pet Obesity Prevalence, also reports a slight increase from 60% in past studies. Further global studies have estimated the prevalence of overweight or obese dogs ranges between 22% and 40%. Due to the high number of dogs weighing over their ideal weight, obesity is now recognized as a major health crisis for dogs. According to Dr. Ward, it’s a problem that’s often overlooked, as many pet owners may not even realize their pets are overweight.

Many dog owners simply do not recognize the excess weight or overweight body conditions of their pets. According to the recent study conducted by Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, around 34% of pet owners with overweight or obese pets classified their pet as “normal,” “ideal,” or “thin,” having not recognized the signs. Additionally, the same study identified 36% of dog owners consider their pet’s body condition as “normal” when their veterinary professional classified as BCS 6-9 (overweight to obesity).

Symptoms of obesity in dogs may include sudden or gradual changes, such as weight gain, tiredness and decreased energy levels, refusing to play games, decreasing tolerance to exercise or lagging behind, reluctance to go for walks, excessive panting, tightening around the collar or harness requiring adjustment to a looser setting, or body changes particularly around the mid-section, including sagging.

5 WAYS TO CHECK IF YOUR DOG IS OVERWEIGHT

If you want to do a quick check at home to determine if your dog may be overweight or obese, prior to seeing your vet for a more thorough examination, there are a few easy steps to check for the signs.

1) EXAMINE YOUR DOG’S MID-SECTION

One of the simplest ways to examine your dog’s body condition to determine if they are overweight is to examine the mid-section.
To conduct a quick check, examine the mid-section by viewing from a top-down view by looking down from above the dog, paying careful attention to their mid-section. If your dog’s mid-section appears to protrude on each side, bulges, or is oval-shaped, it’s likely that your dog is overweight. If, on the other hand, you notice that your dog’s mid-section appears to not protrude on each side and is defined toward the rearend, with a straight build down the sides, then they’re probably at a healthy weight.

2) EXAMINE YOUR DOG’S RIBS

Another quick way to check at home for whether your dog may be overweight or obese, is by feeling along your dog’s rib cage area. If you feel a small layer of fat between your hand and their rib cage, but you can still find the ribs easily, they are likely at a healthy weight. According to Dr. Ochoa (DVM) and veterinary advisor for DogLab and practitioner at Whitehouse Veterinary Animal Hospital, “If your dog’s ribs aren’t extremely prominent and you can easily feel them without having to press hard, then the dog is fit.” For overweight dogs, it’s very difficult to feel their ribs because there is too much fat in the way.

3) EXAMINE FROM THE SIDE

Another quick way to check at home for whether your dog may be overweight or obese, is by checking their body shape from a side angle. A sagging mid-section, or swinging stomach, is another indicator of an overweight or obese dog. When viewing your dog from the side angle, make sure to look for a waist that is slightly raised rather than simply sagging down and oval-shaped. An indicator of a healthy weight, “A dog’s abdomen should not be the same level as the chest and should be tucked up,” says Dr. Ochoa, veterinary advisor for DogLab and practitioner at Whitehouse Veterinary Animal Hospital.

4) EXAMINE YOUR DOG FOR FAT PADS

To check your dog for obesity at home, look for areas of collected or excess fat on your dog’s body, including their hip areas, which is also a strong indicator of being overweight. “Some animals will have fat sacks between their legs that will waddle when they walk,” says Dr. Ochoa. “Overweight dogs will have fat pads on the top of their hips.”

5) EXAMINE YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR

To examine your dog’s body weight at home, observe and think about their behaviors and eating habits. How does your dog tend to interact with food, or manage meal times. Do they spend a considerable amount of time asking for, or scarfing down their food? Overweight and obese dogs are typically spend a lot of time around their food. Another indicator is how they manage activity, play, and walks. Have you noticed less energy, or difficulty breathing when walking? Does your pet need breaks when on an exercise walk? Are exercise habits changing? If you notice a change or less enthusiasm relating to play or exercise, this could be stemming from excess weight. Discussing these conditions and changes with your veterinarian and pet healthcare team, along with potential diet changes will provide helpful resources with how to address your dog’s weight in order to get things back in check and help your dog maintain a healthy weight.

HEALTHY FOOD HABITS TO DECEASE OBESITY IN PETS

If you think your dog may be overweight, or even obese, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about your concerns. Some areas to consider are portion sizes, overfeeding, feeding times, among to exercise and play your dog receives each day, along with how to manage portion sizes with other pets in the home. Your vet will be an excellent resource for determining your pet’s ideal weight and how many calories they should be eating to keep long-term weight in check.

To get your dog on a path to long-term health by keeping their weight in a healthy range, determining the right food and eating schedule is important. Once you have identified that your dog is overweight or obese, it is important to adjust feedings specifically for weight loss using a specific diet, a specific portion, and a specific meal frequency. Your vet can help you create a weight-loss plan that suits your dog and also make suggestions relating to lifestyle changes that may be needed. According to Dr. Ochoa, with the help of your vet, it is important to develop a calorie and portion-control weight loss plan for your dog. You will also want to consider food with high-fiber and lower-calorie content to keep them feeling fuller longer. Another important step according to Dr. Ochoa, is to keep treats, such as cookies, which are loaded with excess calories to a minimum, or even totally eliminate them from their diet. You can also consider supplementing with healthier alternatives to calorie-loaded cookies, such as dog-friendly, healthy treats or dog-friendly human foods, such as vegetables. Overall, to keep your pets health in check, it is important to opt for a veterinary formulated diet plan that will keep your dog healthy and safe, while working to reduce weight. Specific veterinary formulated foods will help to maintain the appropriate nutrients, keeping everything balanced, while addressing daily calorie intake and other factors to normalize and attain the ideal body weight.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TO DECREASE OBESITY IN PETS

When looking to establish healthier habits and maintaining a healthy weight for your dog, according to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, considering the amount of daily exercise your dog receives is important. A great option for keeping your dog’s weight in check, is exercise walks. Walking is an excellent option to keep weight in check and a great way for your pup to work out at their own pace. Walking is also low-impact, which means it's gentle on the joints and hips, and is suitable for dogs of all fitness types, including overweight or obese dogs aiming to increase their exercise level.

How far you walk each time and per day will depend on the breed and age of your dog. For example, a 2-year-old border collie will have more endurance than an elderly pug. Tailor your walk to your dog’s needs and abilities. If it’s a hot day or you are going for a longer hike, make sure to bring water and a bowl for your dog. Certain breeds are more susceptible to overheating during warmer months, requiring a walk during the cooler hours of the day. On warmer days, you will also need to consider the surface you’re walking on. In the sun, pavement can reach dangerously high temperatures, potentially burning your dog’s paws. A good test for pavement or ground temperatures is to place your hand or bare foot on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for 10 seconds, it means the ground is too hot for your dog to walk on. On days like this, you’ll just need to make sure you walk on the grass or dirt. Alternatively, you can purchase booties for your dog to serve as foot protection.

If you regularly walk your dog and are now considering how to increase exercise to help your pup get the excess weight under control, you may need to consider how much actual movement your dog is getting. Does he tend to stop and linger, or get caught up in smelling, or slow pace with you? If so, you may need to adjust the walking habits to get the most out of the exercise each day.

TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DOG WALKING ROUTINE FOR WEIGHT LOSS

• A good dog walking routine should aim for about 20-30 minutes per walk and at least five separate walks per week. Some dogs will need a few walks per day. Others that are used to extra exercise may need a longer hike throughout the week.
  

• Whatever your routine, consistency is important. Try sticking to a regular routine to teach your dog what to expect.
  

• To maximize walk time, make sure to maintain a brisk pace for much of the duration.
  

• Keeping the leash tight with less slack helps to maintain a good walking posture keeping your dog focused
  

• Dog parks and day care can also be a great way to ensure your pet enjoys enough play and exercise throughout the day.
  

When selecting the amount of exercise for your dog, consult your veterinarian to address any concerns, health issues, or problems and the best ways to address these to accomplish a healthy exercise routine to support a healthy lifestyle.

Other helpful tips involve adding other opportunities for play and exercise if you don’t have the time each day. If you don’t have a schedule for regular play and exercise, enrolling in a class or day care, while you are at work, will ensure your pet gets ample time to burn calories and maintain a healthier weight.