Dog First Aid: Canine Obesity
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Research by ukpetfood.org estimates that 1 in 2 dogs in the UK are overweight.
In this issue our friends at Dog First Aid Training Ltd are sharing more information on canine obesity, including how to know if your dog is overweight, how to safely help them lose weight and 5 top tips for keeping your dog trim.
Table of contents
Is My Dog Overweight?
Canine obesity is a very common problem in the UK, with vets estimating that around half of all dogs are overweight!
Carrying excessive weight puts your dog at an increased risk of developing various health conditions, reducing their quality of life and it may reduce their overall lifespan.
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Overweight?
While putting your dog on the scales to weigh them is certainly helpful, it can still be difficult to know whether they are heavier than they should be, based on their size and frame.
This is where body condition scoring can be very helpful. Body condition scoring promotes assessing specific areas of the body for signs of being overweight or underweight.
- Feel your dog's ribs - can you feel without pressing hard or are they covered in a thick layer of fat?
- When you look at your dog from above, do they have a waist that is narrower than their chest?
- When you look at your dog side on, is their tummy higher than their chest? - also known as an abdominal tuck
- If in doubt, check with your vet or vet nurse for an assessment
Why Is My Dog Overweight Or Obese?
Most dogs are overweight as they are simply eating too much food and not doing enough exercise!
This means that they are not burning off the excess calories that they are consuming, meaning this excess energy is stored as fat.
For most dogs, eating less and being more active will normally result in them losing weight and therefore getting closer to their ideal body condition.
In addition, though, there are various other possible causes of weight gain, including:
Health Conditions
Certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease.
These conditions are also associated with other symptoms such as coat changes, lethargy and increased thirst – please speak to your vet if you are concerned.
Age
With dogs being more prone to weight gain as they get older, as they tend to be less active, obesity is more common in dogs over 2 years of age.
This is one of the reasons why it is important to feed your dog a diet that is appropriate for their life stage, to ensure that they are getting the appropriate number of calories each day.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Underlying medical conditions (such as arthritis) can impact on the amount a dog is able to exercise.
For these dogs, a careful diet plan is key, especially given that being overweight can then exacerbate conditions such as arthritis, and so it can become a vicious circle.
Please speak to your vet about a weight management plan for your dog.
Neutering
Neutering your dog results in a slight decrease in their metabolic rate, which can lead to weight gain if their diet is not adjusted accordingly.
As long as they are fed fewer calories a day then neutering should not result in a dog gaining weight.
Medications
Certain medications such as steroids can increase appetite as a side effect and can therefore predispose to weight gain.
My Dog Is Overweight, What Health Risks Do They Face?
Being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of various health conditions including arthritis, heart disease, urinary incontinence, cruciate ligament disease, breathing problems, heatstroke, injury and back problems, as well as a shortened lifespan.
It is therefore important to keep your dog at their optimal weight to keep them fit and healthy for as long as possible!
How To Prevent Your Dog From Becoming Overweight.
Keep processed treats to a minimum - Healthier alternatives include raw vegetables and fruits such as carrot, apple and broccoli.
Exercise according to breed and age - Some breeds simply need more exercise than others. Research the exercise requirements for your dog's breed.
As dogs age and become less active, their need for calories will also reduce so we can decrease their portion sizes.
Measure their food intake - Weighing your dog's food and logging any treats will give you a really good baseline from which you can make small changes.
Get the whole family involved - There is no point in monitoring your dog's food intake if someone else in the family is paying cheese tax on a regular basis. Make sure everyone in the household is on the team.
Get a health check - If your dog's weight gain is sudden, it could be down to a medical issue. A vet check is advised.
How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight?
Gradual and steady weight loss is best and is most likely to be maintained. Your vet or vet nurse can help to draw up a specific weight management plan for your dog. Regular visits to the vets can help to keep you on track and motivated with weight los
Any weight management plan is likely to include feeding measured amounts of a suitable diet together with increased exercise.
There are various weight loss diets available for dogs – again your vet will be able to advise you on the most appropriate one for your dog.
Dog First Aid Training
Dog First Aid Training offers CPD accredited half day workshops for pet owners and canine professionals.
Find out what upcoming courses are available online or near you.
No courses in your area? Contact us at info@dog-first-aid.com for our online dates.
