Canine Obesity: FAT TO FIT!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

WRITTEN BY JEANNE TAYLOR, Staff Writer

We’ve all heard it - a range of reasons or excuses as to why a dog is on the chunky side. “He’s big-boned” or “She’s not fat, she’s fluffy.” “Labs just love to eat.” Sure, chunky puppies fresh off the milk train are adorable, and as they increase mobility, they thin out. That roly-poly exterior morphs into muscle and their bones become stronger. But did you know that you can shorten your pet’s life by at least two years through overfeeding and not addressing the literal elephant in the room?

According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of our companion pets are obese or overweight. And in a 2018 clinical survey, 56% of dogs were noted by their veterinary practitioner as being overweight or obese. That’s over fifty million dogs!

Pet food labels list a recommended amount per serving by a dog’s general weight – NOT their optimal weight by breed, age, activity level or considering any other limitations or particular needs. But the truth is, we are responsible for our dog’s health and weight. They aren’t making their own meals! Except for the occasional episode of gastric indiscretion when Rover gets into a bag of cookies unexpectedly, we are the ones doling out the treats. In this new year, reflect on your pet’s health as you would your own. Need a little exercise boost? Chances are good, he does too! Want to eat better and optimize your health? Fido can benefit too!

New Year, New You!

This resolution mindset can apply to your pets too. In most cases, a newly rescued dog doesn’t need to put on the “Freshman 15” pounds! Don’t overfeed or overtreat your shelter dog because you feel sorry for their past! Give them their best possible FUTURE by keeping them fit and trim and in your life for longer. They deserve that. Obviously, this doesn’t apply, at least initially, to medical or neglect cases where dogs need to put on a little weight. But once they are at their ideal weight, level it out to maintain their overall health.

Body Condition Score

We’ve all seen the poster in the vet’s office showing the range of side and top views representing a dog’s ideal weight. There are factors to consider, of course, including breed or mix, health notes, age, and activity level along with diet composition and quality. But there are relatively easy ways to determine your pet’s actual calorie needs – you are already halfway there every time you are near your dog, and you may not even realize it.

Step 1: Pet your dog! Have them stand still and run your hands along their ribs, enjoying that smooth, silky fur. Can you feel even a hint of their ribs or is it covered by a fat layer? Gently pet their smooth underbelly –does it waddle or is it nice and tight? Stand directly behind them – can you see a noticeable waistline or is the shape you see more like a barrel? Keep them in that regal stand and view them from the side, from a few feet away. Do you see their ribs, even faintly? Does their chest line run flat into their waist or is there a visible “tuck up”? Based on what you see – or feel - commit to ensuring they enjoy good health. Commit to either maintaining that fit and trim dog, or helping Fifi get to that Instagram-worthy “after” photo!

Step 2: Quality vs. Quantity. As with people, it’s not just calories, it’s the quality of the intake. We must turn that corner and promise to do OUR best to give them THEIR best opportunity. Once you narrow down the daily calorie needs, you can sort out content percentages such as protein vs. carb requirements, etc.

Smartphones mean there are plenty of calorie calculator resources available at your fingertips! These tools can help you identify the ideal calorie intake for YOUR dog, and not just feed according to a package instruction. Ask your veterinarian to help devise a slow and steady weight loss plan for your pet if necessary. A safe level of weight loss for a dog is 3-5% per month, generally speaking. I asked for a “pro-tip” from Dr. Marie Ingle of Cainhoy Veterinary Hospital. “Your veterinarian can help you create a plan for pet weight loss. We try to look at the whole household and find a way to make it work. For example, in a home with young kids, it’s not realistic to expect the pet won’t get ‘people food’. Instead, cutting back on intentional calories can make allowances for fallen treats from little hands. Making a reasonable plan that accommodates the family’s needs and having follow-up check-ins is the clearest path to success.”

Dr. Ingle further shared, “We love our pets, and we all know that food is love, but taking a walk, throwing a ball and certainly belly rubs are also LOVE.”

Need more motivation? Overweight dogs suffer more preventable injuries and have harder postop recoveries. They require more anesthesia for procedures. They require more veterinary care to treat the conditions that are sometimes created - and other times exacerbated - by their weight. They engage less with their families because they don’t have the energy or desire to participate. And they simply don’t live as long as their healthy-weight friends. A dog carrying as little as five extra pounds has an increased risk for serious health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and more! Sounds miserable, right?

Just START!

Start walking. Yes, you want to give Champ some fun by allowing him to explore and sniff on your morning strolls, but make time for one exercisefocused walk per day at least and work up to more. Or use that new fitness watch you got for Christmas and time the first half of your walk so you and Champ move with purpose. Get your collective heart rates up! Burn some calories. Build some bone strength. Improve joint flexibility and range of motion. Get moving!

When we take on the care of a dog, whether as a shelter pet or a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder, it should be in planning for the entirety of their life. That means providing them the best quality diet and veterinary care we can afford. It demands that we train them to co-exist peacefully in our homes. It entails giving them emotional stability, comfort and making them a vital part of our family. We want to give them experiences to enjoy – and make memories with them that will last forever.

Only we as loving and responsible pet parents are blessed with the opportunity to share our lives with these spectacular creatures. And only we have the power to ensure they benefit from our good decisions for as long as nature will allow. ■

[Not intended as veterinary advice.] Dogs are individuals. Always consult your veterinarian to develop a specific plan for your dog.