While fat dogs may be cute, being overweight is not healthy for a dog.
According to Dr. Sherry Lynn Sanderson in the March 2009 issue of NAVC Clinician's Brief, dogs which are 10-20% over their ideal body weight are considered overweight and dogs which are more than 20% above their ideal weight are obese. In the United States, 24-44% of all dogs have been found to be overweight or obese, and approximately 50% of dogs between 5 to 10 years of age are either overweight or obese.
Why Worry About Your Dog if Your Dog is Fat, Overweight or Obese
Fat, overweight or obese dogs are prone to numerous health issues, including:
- arthritis
- heart disease
- respiratory disease
- diabetes
- back problems
- and many others
How to Tell if Your Dog is Fat, Overweight or Obese
A dog of ideal body weight should:
- have ribs which are easily felt with little fat cover, but the ribs should not be visible.
- have a waist when viewed from above.
- have an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side.
- have a tail base with a smooth contour and the bones in the upper part of the tail should be felt with only a thin layer of fat cover.
If you cannot feel the ribs of your dog or can feel them through a thick layer of fat, if your dog has no waist, if your dog has no abdominal tuck and if your dog's tail base is thick with a large fat covering, your dog is either overweight or obese, depending on the degree of the findings.
Canine Weight Loss
If your dog is fat, overweight or obese, the first thing you need to do is consult with your veterinarian. Though overeating is the number one cause for a dog to be fat, overweight or obese, there are medical problems which can contribute as well. Once your veterinarian has examined your dog and determined that your dog is healthy, a balanced weight loss program can be started for your dog.
Your veterinarian will also be able to help you determine your dog's target body weight and help you plan an effective weight loss program for your dog.
Getting your dog to lose weight can be difficult but it is not impossible. Weight loss for your dog will rely on two principles:
- decreasing the number of calories which your dog eats
- increasing the amount of exercise your dog receives
Feeding Your Fat, Overweight or Obese Dog
Starvation diets are not recommended as starvation is no healthier for your dog than it would be for you. There are a number of commercially available canine weight loss diets available. Examples include Hill's Canine R/D diet, Royal Canin Canine Calorie Control diet and Iams Veterinary Formula Restricted Calorie dog food.
When feeding your dog, follow labeling directions to determine the amount of food to give your dog daily or consult your veterinarian for help. You will need to measure out the proper amount of food each day and take into consideration the calorie count of any treats given to your dog when calculating the daily amount of food necessary. Feed your dog for his target weight.
Any treats given should be low calorie treats and can include:
- commercially available low calorie treats
- fruits
- vegatables
- rice
- ice cubes
Feeding several small meals daily will help burn more energy for your dog than feeding one large meal and may also help keep your dog more satisfied.
Exercising Your Fat, Overweight or Obese Dog
Proper exercise for your dog can consist of walking, jogging, running or interactive play (chasing balls, Frisbees, etc). Swimming and running on a treadmill can also be excellent exercise for your dog if practical to accomplish.
If your dog is not used to exercise, start slow and gradually increase the amount of exercise. Don't wear your dog out early on. Think of how you would undertake an exercise program for yourself.
Pharmocological Management of Canine Weight Loss with Slentrol (Dirlotapide)
Recently, a new medication has become available to aid in canine weight loss. This medication is called Slentrol and contains a drug called dirlotapide. Slentrol works as an appetite suppressant and is only available with a prescription from your veterinarian. It does show promise for encouraging weight loss for fat, overweight and obese dogs.
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