Introduction
A recent survey released by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (2011) found that 51 percent of dogs are overweight or obese. Obesity is the most common nutritional problem among dogs today. Poor feeding habits, such as feeding table scraps or too much food, and a lack of physical activity greatly contribute to the development of canine obesity. Dogs that are obese are at a higher risk to develop health disorders, including cardiac disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, arthritis, increased risk of injury, and complications during surgery. Although obesity is a common problem, the steps to treating this epidemic are quite simple.
The estimates for the number of obese pets in the United States range greatly. Pet owners are less likely to rate their dog as overweight than are their veterinarian or other pet professionals. This disconnect is probably due in part to people’s perception of overweight. When an animal is overweight, it weighs 5 to 10 percent more than its ideal weight. On the other hand, an animal is obese when it weighs at least 20 percent more than its ideal weight. Body condition scores of 6 or greater on a 9-point scale indicate an overweight dog.
Predisposing factors
There are several factors that have led to the increase in the number of obese dogs over the last decade. For some breeds of dogs (Labrador retrievers, dachshunds, beagles, Cairn terriers, and Basset hounds), there may be a genetic predisposition to being overweight. These dogs may require fewer calories per day due to lower activity levels. In addition, some hormonal disorders (such as hypothyroidism, pituitary gland disorders, and hyperadrenocorticism) can lead to an increased risk of obesity due to the effect of hormones on metabolism. Spaying or neutering of dogs also results in decreased physical activity and can lead to weight gain. For this reason, owners should strictly monitor the daily feeding amounts of altered, or fixed, pets.
However, for the majority of animals with obesity, the cause is an inappropriate diet. An inappropriate diet may be due to the owner not being aware of the animal’s nutritional needs. In other words, owners may feed too many calories to an inactive animal. This caloric imbalance may be due to improperly measuring food or feeding an animal ad libitum.
Many pet owners have switched to higher quality diets that are low in fiber and high in energy (calories) without adjusting the amount of food fed each day. While there are benefits to these diets, the amount of a high-quality food fed is usually lower than a lower quality diet. Owners also tend to give their dogs treats or human foods that are high in calories, which can quickly lead to excess weight gain.
Many dogs only get limited amounts of exercise or go for walks for the purpose of urination or defecation. Dogs need structured activity, and to not just be turned loose in the back yard, to ensure that they are getting proper exercise. When dogs are only allowed a limited amount of physical activity, the probability of weight gain increases.
Weight management plans
There are many different techniques used to achieve animal weight loss. No weight loss plan should be started without first consulting your veterinarian to make sure there are no risks associated with the change in routine. Veterinarians and/or companion animal nutritionists can help ensure that your dog is getting its proper daily allotment of nutrients while on a weight management plan. The starting point for a weight loss plan should involve adjustments to the amount and types of foods provided.
Provide your dog a low-calorie, higher fiber diet intended to promote weight loss. You will want to introduce the new diet gradually over the course of a week by blending it with your dog’s current food. Acclimating your dog to a new food will help decrease the chance of food avoidance and digestive upset. Accurately measure the amount of food offered in so only the proper amount of calories is provided each day as indicated by the label guidelines.
Feeding your dog scheduled meals may assist with setting a routine for your dog and ensuring accurate monitoring of food intake. Limit or stop providing high-calorie treats. Treats should make up less than 10 percent of your dog’s daily feed intake. Try using your dog’s food itself as a treat for a low calorie option.
Physical activity is also a major part of the weight loss process. Exercise provides dogs a way to have fun while burning excess calories. There are a variety of options for pets to enjoy; however, before beginning a new activity, it should be approved by a veterinarian for the pet’s safety. Examples of acceptable exercise include:
• Walking
• Running
• Swimming
• Obedience
• Agility
• Hunting
• Playing fetch
Maintaining an ideal body weight in companion animals is important. You can use the body condition score system from Nestle Purina to determine where your animal falls. The ideal dog should have a BCS of 4 to 5.
Lisa Karr-Lilienthal, Ph.D., and Amanda Young - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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