In 2018, approximately 56% of dogs in the United States were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That's 50 million overweight or obese dogs.
Many owners of overweight dogs don't realize their dogs are overweight as it is becoming more and more normalized. So how can you tell? Dogs are scored using a body condition scale, often from 0-9. The primary areas used to judge your dog's weight are feeling his ribs, looking at his tuck-up, and muscle definition. In a dog at ideal body weight: you will be able to easily feel his ribs (and possibly see a few), he will have a visible tuck-up (the rise in his belly right behind his rib cage), and he'll have some light muscles over his shoulders and thighs. There are many generic body condition charts that can be looked at online. Some dog breeds vary in what visibly is a healthy weight based on bone structure - such as sighthounds look very bony and show-line Labradors may have less of a tuck-up.
Why should you care if your dog is overweight?
Being even a little bit overweight has physical and psychological effects on our dogs. A study published in 2019 showed that dogs that are 10-20% overweight (which is not even considered obese - which is when a dog is more than 20% overweight) live an average of 2 years less than their healthy-weight counterparts. Dogs who are overweight are also prone to chronic inflammation, organ dysfunctions, respiratory disorders, diminished heart health, predisposed to metabolic/endocrine disorders, increased risk of cancer, skin disorders, and predisposed to orthopedic/joint problems. These physical issues can decrease quality of life and lead to depression, particularly in working breed dogs.
If you love your dog, you probably want to keep them as healthy and happy as you can so you have as much time with them as possible, right? Then it's time to really talk about your pet's weight.
How can you help them lose weight?
Take in less calories than they burn. Simple, right? Not always. First, you want to make sure your dog doesn't have a medical issue causing her weight problems. If she has hypothyroidism, this can cause weight gain. Decreasing food is the most important first step. Cut treats out of your dog's diet. You can use fillers such as green beans or carrots to help your dog feel "full" but by offering significantly less calories. There are also brands of food that have formulas with less calories. Next, you'll want to increase exercise. An overweight dog needs to ease into exercise, so starting with consistent 30-minute walks daily is usually a good first step. Talking to your vet about your dog's individual needs is also very important.
There are many groups on social media sites or reputable breeders for your breed may have resources that can help you identify a healthy dog in your breed (or for mutts). Many members of groups for in-shape dogs will be welcoming and more than happy to help you help your pup lose weight. Don't be shy about asking for help! We all want what is best for our pups.
Comments