Obesity in Animals

PETS The Dangers of Overweight Dogs and How to Monitor Their Health

By Lauri Julian

Although dogs aren’t concerned about how they look or when their clothes don’t fit, there are many diseases and conditions that come along with extra pounds, similar to humans. During this time of shelter-in-place, many of us, including our pets, are less active and eating more!

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 56% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. This is now considered • Reward your dog with affection, not food

the biggest threat to our pets’ health and well-being, thus reducing their lifespan. Multiple areas of the body are affected by excess body fat, including bones and joints, digestive organs, and the organs responsible for breathing capacity.

Obesity is common in dogs of all ages, but it usually occurs in middle-aged dogs (which can differ based on breed and size). Indoor dogs tend to have a higher risk of becoming obese.

Health effects of pet obesity include: • Type 2 diabetes • Osteoarthritis, especially in the hip • High blood pressure • Orthopedic problems, cranial cruciate ligament injuries • Skin disease • Thyroid problems • Seizures • Heart and Respiratory Disease • Kidney Disease • Some cancers • Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years).

How to tell if your dog is overweight

Figuring out whether your dog is overweight or obese is a matter of appearance and touch. If you can’t find your dog’s ribcage, you have an overweight dog. There should be a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones. Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s size and ask about optimal weight. As a rule of thumb, 15% above that weight is obese; zero to 15% is overweight.

Although some breeds are more likely to gain weight than others (Bassett Hounds, Bulldogs, Pugs, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, and Dachshunds), vets see obesity in every single breed. It's really no surprise that an animal that was designed to convert the food they ate into energy very efficiently has problems with obesity once they stop being active. But all dogs require some form of exercise daily for physical and mental well-being. Check with your vet for the right type and amount of exercise for your breed and age of dog.

Causes of obesity in dogs

There are several causes of obesity, but it’s mostly an imbalance between the energy intake and its usage -- eating more than the dog can possibly expend. Obesity becomes more common in old age because of the normal decrease in a dog's ability to exercise. Unhealthy eating habits such as high-calorie foods, an alternating diet, and frequent treats can also bring on this condition.

Other common causes include: • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) • Insulinoma (pancreatic tumor) • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease) • Spaying/Neutering (however, altering your pet is very important in reducing the with your vet to make sure that the excess weight is not the result of an underlying health problem or disease. Ask for recommendations on the best quality, nutrient-rich balanced diet to support and maintain a healthy weight. And importantly, get moving! But take it slow if your dog isn’t used to exercising.

If you determine that your dog is obese, you can monitor them for health problems such as congestive heart failure (if you notice these symptoms, contact your vet): • Rapid breathing when resting or sleeping (more than 30-35 breaths per minute) • Reduced exercise ability and tiring quickly • Increased effort associated with breathing • Restless sleeping; moving around a lot and changing positions • Change in tongue or gum color to bluish gray because of poor oxygen flow • Coughing or gagging • Weakness, collapsing or fainting • Decreased appetite and weight loss.

What can you do to keep your dog at a healthy weight? • Hit the scale on a regular basis, ask your vet what your dog’s weight should be • Measure meals – ask your vet for advice on the right portion • Establish a feeding schedule; don’t free feed • Limit between-meal snacks; these calories add up! Choose low-calorie treats. • Don’t share your food; rich and seasoned food can wreak havoc on the digestive tract chance of reproductive cancers and other health and behavior issues).

• Play fetch or take your dog for a walk around the block!

For more information on the effects obesity and extra weight can have on your pet, visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website: https://petobesityprevention.org/.