Obesity In Dogs

How widespread is obesity in pets?

Obesity is the number one nutritional disease affecting dogs and cats.  It's estimated that 25%-45% of dogs and 25%-35% of cats in the U.S. are obese.  We consider an animal obese when they're 15% or more above their optimal body weight.

Are certain dog breeds more prone to obesity than others?

Yes, Labrador Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Shelties, Basset Hounds and Beagles tend to be more obese.  On the other hand, German Shepherds, Yorkies, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Whippets, Boxers and Sealyham Terriers are least likely to become overweight.   But any breed can become obese.  Generally speaking, the incidence of obesity increases with age.

Are obese pets at greater risk of contracting diseases and health problems?

Very much so.  Studies have shown that in obese animals, joint and locomotive problems increase by 57%, circulatory problems by 74%, respiratory problems by 52%, skin problems by 40% and cancer by 50%.  Overweight animals are also more prone to defecation problems and ulcers, and they generally have a lower resistance to infectious disease.

If you don't know your pet's optimal weight, how can you tell if he's overweight?

You should be able to feel a dog's ribs through its skin; if you can't, there's a good chance it's overweight.  Also, if you stand overhead and look down at your pet, you should see an hourglass-type shape, with a wider chest, a slight narrowing at the equivalent of the waist, and a widening at the hips.  When an animal gets too heavy, it loses this hourglass shape. 

What should you do if you think your dog is overweight?

First, take your pet to the veterinarian for a complete physical.  You want to rule out any underlying diseases that may be causing the animal to eat too much, and also to make sure it is otherwise healthy before starting any diet and exercise program.

Your veterinarian will establish an optimal weight for your pet, based on its size, age and other factors.  Then what we generally do is feed the animal 60%-70% of the amount of calories it should be taking in for its optimal weight.  Usually this will involve switching to a lower-fat, higher-fiber dietary food, so that the animal is getting fewer calories per volume.

After your dog has gone on a diet and lost the excess pounds, how can you maintain its optimal weight level?

You'll need to switch to a maintenance diet with some caloric restriction. It's very important at this point not to get back into the old habits, or else your pet's weight will go right back up again.