JASMINE SETHI
1. Introduction:
Definition of Canine Obesity
Obesity is increasingly becoming a growing trend among the canine population. According to the VCA Animal Hospital, obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition that can lead to reduced life span and contribute to the development of other diseases. The canine population requires the right amount of food and calorie intake, along with regular physical activity, to maintain a realistic weight goal. Dogs across various breed segments often face weight management challenges, which can lead to adverse health issues. Research shows that it’s getting increasingly important for dogs to maintain an ideal weight as it leads to increased longevity, and it directly correlates with reduced cases of chronic ailments such as diabetes or mobility issues.
Body Condition Score
The foundation of true canine wellness is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, mental stimulation, a nurturing environment, and consistent physical activities. It’s important to regularly monitor and maintain your dog’s body condition score and weight, as this will enable you to know the right time to adjust their quantity of food and activity levels. The ideal weight of a dog can vary greatly based on breed, sex, and age. The body condition scoring system is an important tool for all pet caregivers to determine if your dog is carrying extra weight objectively. It is a standardized way to evaluate your dog’s body mass, a helpful tool to help you determine if your pet is underweight, overweight, or at a healthy weight.
Overview of Canine Welfare Implications
It’s worthwhile to consider the overall welfare implications for your dogs. Like humans, dogs need a happy home, a loving family, and a good quality of life, which can positively impact their overall health and well-being. All of this doesn’t have to come with a heavy price tag, as we understand that affordability and accessibility remain top priorities for all pet caregivers. If your dog is overweight, this impacts your dog’s overall well-being, such as a lack of energy or reduced enjoyment of life; hence, maintaining a healthy weight should be the goal for your dog’s long-term well-being.
For all Pet Parents, New and Experienced
Let’s reflect. Are you worried about your dog’s sudden weight gain or increasing obesity, or do you wish to generally learn more about weight management among your pets? If you have answered yes to the question, or are a first-time pet-caregiver, or in general wish to learn more to better care for your animal companions, this article will serve as a valuable read. In this article, you will have free access to resources to support you in the implementation of best canine wellness practices, which will enable you to feel more empowered in doing the right thing for your companions.
Weight Assessment for your Dog
First, let’s understand when you should be worried about your dog’s abnormal or sudden weight gain, especially if it may not be visible at a certain point. Obesity in dogs means the accumulation of excess body fat, leading to excess body weight, measurable in either kilograms or pounds (VCA Animal Hospitals). It’s important to differentiate between dogs who are overweight versus obese. Dogs can be considered overweight when they weigh nearly 10% to 20% above their ideal body weight. Likewise, dogs can be considered obese when they weigh more than 20% above their ideal body weight (VCA Animal Hospitals). You can simply weigh your dogs at home using your household scale or at your upcoming veterinarian in-person appointment to get an accurate reading.
Let’s review a quick checklist to learn more about your dog’s weight scale
- Does your dog pant, sigh, or get tired very easily after walking for a short period of time?
- Does your dog get adequate exercise throughout the day?
- Does your dog have a visible waist?
- Is your dog’s harness or collar becoming tighter?
- Did you recently notice any changes in your dog’s appetite?
- Does your dog walk at a slower pace?
- Can your dog move around comfortably without any signs of fatigue, heavy breathing, or any kind of joint strain?
- Has your vet confirmed your dog’s weight is within a healthy range for their breed and age during regular check-ups?
Please write down your results, and let’s work together to better address your dog’s needs. Likewise, if you have answered no to most of the questions, we still encourage you to keep on reading to understand preventative measures and learn general recommendations to best care for your pets for their long-term wellness.
DID YOU KNOW?
i. A dog’s lifespan can decrease by two years when moderately overweight. (VCA Canada).
ii. As per the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 50% to 60% pets in Canada are currently struggling with excess weight and obesity. This high incidence of obesity in companion animals is problematic and has made it challenging for many pet caregivers to identify what a normal and healthy weight truly looks like for their dogs. The good news is that this can be reversed with small daily habits.
MYTH VS. FACT
Myth: It’s acceptable for my dog to have one cheat meal a day.
Fact: Even one cheat day can have adverse effects on your dog’s health. With the festive season fast approaching, please know that giving leftovers and foods high in fat content or greasy foods to your dog can become a leading cause of other diseases, especially for a dog with an established obesity, such as pancreatitis.
2. Causes of Obesity in Dogs and Recommendations
Why Obesity in Dogs is a Growing Concern.
Due to the prevalence of canine obesity among companion animals, many people are surprised to learn about the healthy weight goal for their pets in real-time. We all know that excessive weight gain in dogs can, over time, lead to multiple health issues or further aggravate genetic diseases. It’s a good idea for you to continue incorporating canine wellness practices and building healthy habits for your animal companions. Hence, maintaining a healthy weight is ideal for all dog breeds to avoid different forms of health issues such as diabetes, limping, shortened lifespan, and limit the occurrence of genetic health diseases.
Although excess weight reduces any dog’s quality of life, brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, Bulldogs in general, and Boston Terriers tend to be more vulnerable to weight gain. It’s mainly since these specific breeds already have smooshed faces and anatomical limitations, which further tend to restrict their airways, so when they carry any amount of excess weight, it increases discomfort and tends to become a struggle to carry out their day-to-day activities, such as regular walking, normal breathing, and sleeping issues.
We also want to point out that the weather and seasonal changes tend to play a minor role in adjusting your dog’s feeding schedule, as in the cooler weather, many dogs eat more simply because their bodies tend to use the extra energy to stay warm. Likewise, in the warmer weather, dogs tend to eat a bit less simply due to the fact that the extreme heat reduces their activity level and overall appetite. Additionally, the seasonal daylight changes can impact your dog’s routine, particularly influencing their metabolism and hunger levels. This is important knowledge for all pet caregivers, as dogs tend to react differently to the weather and seasonal changes that may impact your dog’s metabolism, daily food consumption, and overall health and well-being. Please know that this is completely normal, and dogs tend to adjust to the changes at a faster pace, but this information is good to know, especially for a first-time pet caregiver.
As per the VCA Animal Hospitals, overweight and obese dogs are at higher risk of health issues, including but not limited to the following:
· Cancer
· Diabetes mellitus
· Heart disease
· Hypertension
· Osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints
· Urinary bladder stones
· Anesthetic complications
· Indicator of disease such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
Overfeeding and High-Calorie Diets
Overfeeding is a leading cause of obesity in dogs. Overfeeding your dog at any time of the day is not okay, and some dogs tend to have improved sleep when they are not overly full or bloated. Hence, big meals very close to your dog’s bedtime can cause increased discomfort. Additionally, for larger breeds, or deep-chested breeds, such as the Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, Dobermans, Weimaraners, and even older dogs, big meals followed by inactivity may even increase the risk of bloating in dogs. It’s commonly known as Bloat (GDV), Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, where the dog’s stomach fills quickly with gas, food, or fluid, and expands.
It’s imperative to know that obesity in dogs is increasing, and it’s the right time to, if you haven’t already, focus on portion control and setting feeding schedules. Your dogs need to have a balanced diet, ensuring all meals contain the right mix of protein, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates. It’s recommended to integrate portion control in your dog’s diet gradually so your furry companion gets accustomed to it. It’s also important to acknowledge signs of fullness in your dogs to simply avoid overfeeding. It’s a best practice to use a measuring cup to portion your dog’s food intake to ensure you are providing the right amount of food on a daily basis. Your dog’s treats, shop-bought or made-at-home, ideally should not make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie intake.
Lack of Physical Activity
Engaging in some sort of regular physical activity offers multiple benefits for your furry companion, as it is known to support cardiovascular health, joint support, improved digestion, and healthy weight management. A daily walk is one of the best parts of your dog’s day. If your dog is overweight, we recommend multiple walks throughout the day to shed the excess weight in addition to daily running, swimming, farm work, or more. If you have a busy schedule or different accessibility needs, we encourage you to use professional dog walking services to recruit a dog walker in your local neighborhood.
This way, you can rest assured that your furry companion is getting their walks and physical activity on a regular basis. With winter fast approaching, it’s recommended to invest in proper quality gear for both yourself and your dog to allow for enjoyable long walks. Also, mental stimulation is key to keeping your dog’s mind active, such as through interactive toys, games, and training techniques. Last, please ensure to adjust the intensity and type of activities on the basis of your dog’s individual needs. Dental health is equally important, so regular brushing of your dog’s teeth is essential in addition to the dental checkups, preventing gum issues and bad breath.
Senior Dog Care
For senior dogs, it’s imperative to adjust the nutrition and activity on a regular basis, as older dogs tend to need fewer calories and gentler exercise to maintain a healthy weight. For overweight senior dogs, it’s best to provide orthopedic beds and even introduce modifications where needed to meet individual needs to ensure their overall well-being. It’s best practice to monitor your senior dog’s weight for any unplanned gain and adjust their feeding and activity level accordingly.
Any kind of unplanned weight loss can be problematic, especially for senior dogs. This is a primary reason why it’s essential to have regular weigh-ins, as many senior pets can benefit from a diet specific to their conditions, such as mobility, cognitive, or a renal support diet, if recommended by their veterinarian. Generally, the caloric needs of your senior dogs with a predictable lifestyle, especially if your dog is accustomed to it, it’s recommended that this lifestyle should not change drastically over time. It is considered best practice to monitor their weight for any unexpected weight gain and make schedule adjustments as necessary.
3. Understanding Your Dog’s Health: Prevention and Weight Care Tips
Dog’s Weight Management Tracker
Using our weight tracker document, let’s start fresh. Please weigh your dog and record the number in addition to the breed, either in kilograms or pounds, and make careful observations of their physical body, such as a visible waistline and body shape. Now, during your walk, make a note of your dog’s energy levels, stamina, if they are stopping in between walks, and simply observe their behavior. Our aim here is to get you and your furry companion into a fixed routine and make careful observations of any unusual behavior or patterns.
Carefully assess and read the food labels to learn more about the nutrition value and feeding directions in relation to the size and weight of your dog. For instance, many food packages will state the accurate feeding directions based on whether a dog is small, adult, or senior. Additionally, you can make home-cooked low-calorie meals or treats such as sweet potato bites to incorporate nutrients into your dog’s daily food intake. Nutrition plays a fundamental role in maintaining your dog’s healthy weight, in addition to ensuring they stay hydrated at all times.
Continuing to stay active throughout the day with mental stimulation activities, long walks, playtime, and physical activities, as this will aid in digestion, toning muscles, and overall maintain a healthier lifestyle for your animal companions. Getting outside is also one of your dog’s highlights of the day. It’s important to have a well-balanced routine for your dogs to achieve and maintain a healthy weight goal. One strategy to create a balanced routine is to commit to a feeding schedule so you can stay on track with their nutrition intake. Additionally, you may find it helpful to join a local pet care wellness community to build motivation and accountability.
Canine Prevention and Weight Care Tips
A. It’s important to acknowledge that your dog’s weight won’t change in a few days, but the goal should be to create a routine and promote positive reinforcement, such as introducing new tricks, offering calm time, and consistently communicating with your animal companion. It’s essential to regularly monitor your dog’s stool for any changes. During regular walks, but especially during a canine disease outbreak, it’s important to prevent your dog from licking or sniffing unfamiliar surfaces, other dogs’ urine, or waste, as this can greatly reduce the risk of any sort of disease transmission.
B. Consider making appointments via virtual vet consultations at the convenience of your home, or go in-person for your dog’s regular check-up. It’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s vaccination records to ensure they are fully updated, and make a note of their upcoming appointment. Towards the end of the article, we have linked to an article on telemedicine resources for easier access.
C. Continue to monitor your dog’s weight and celebrate the small wins and progress with your companion animals. At this point, we encourage you to plan your dog’s upcoming weekly or monthly schedule, and feel free to make changes as you go week-by-week.
D. Our purpose here is twofold:
1. To safeguard your mental health and support you financially through our subsidized programs so you can effectively manage your dog’s overall health and well-being.
2. For your dogs to maintain a realistic and healthy weight goal so they can live a good quality of life. We understand that managing obesity in dogs can be overwhelming for many pet caregivers. This is why we aim to provide helpful recommendations and tips that empower you to make well-informed decisions in caring for your dogs.
3. Consideration should be given to your dog’s nutrition and lifestyle choices. It has become imperative to read labels before feeding your dog, especially the labels regarding the number of pieces or quantity to give to your dog. Most dog food packages include clear feeding guidelines that specify the appropriate food quantity based on your dog’s ideal weight. A complete diet for a healthy dog usually provides all the essential nutrient. Some pets may still benefit from an optional multivitamin, especially for added support with immunity, digestion, skin and coat health, joints, and overall wellness. If you choose to use one, look for a multifunctional vitamin, always review labels, and check reviews. We highly encourage all pet caregivers to consult their veterinarian to confirm if a vitamin is needed, and if it suits your dog’s individual needs.
4. The reasonable approach would be to conduct regular check-ins with your veterinarians to keep track of your dog’s weight and overall health condition. Consultation with your vet can be beneficial to rule out any medical condition, if present, and consult regarding a weight-loss or wellness plan so you can keep a check on your dog’s progress and make adjustments to the feeding schedule as needed. We also encourage you to consistently communicate with your vet to learn if a weight-loss plan is needed, and to follow up on progress and adjust the feeding schedule if necessary. It’s recommended that some issues cannot be diagnosed from a virtual plan, though it’s a good start. Please see your vet in person for further diagnostics, such as bloodwork, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, biopsy, allergy testing, and more, on a case-by-case basis that would require an in-person visit to your veterinarian.
Our aim is for you to feel confident in raising healthy dogs. It’s ideal to focus on if your dog is becoming increasingly active, mobile, and alert, if the coat condition, breathing, and overall stamina are improving, and if your dog is maintaining a healthy muscle mass.
4. Final Thoughts
Promoting a Healthier Future for Dogs
Considering these factors, it is prudent that the overall focus should be on your dog’s wellness and not just numbers on the scale. The main goal should be for your dog to live a long and healthy life, so the priority should be on your dog’s breathing, improving stamina and energy levels, maintaining muscle mass, overall activity progress, nutrition intake, and wellness.
In this article, we have provided you with free access to resources to support you in the implementation of best canine wellness practices so you feel more empowered in doing the right thing for your companions. It’s important to consider an overall holistic approach when it comes to wellness for your furry companions, as consistent care ensures a happy and healthy companion for years to come. Even if your dog is at the perfect weight, it’s a good practice to conduct bi-weekly or monthly weigh-ins at home using your household scale.
This frequency will help you understand and keep track of your dog’s weight on a regular basis, as even a small amount of weight gain in dogs, or even unplanned loss of weight, can indicate a sign of a health problem. This is especially relevant for smaller dog breeds, where even slight weight changes can be quite significant. Hence, monitoring their weight closely can help avoid potential health problems and, as a result, reduce future vet expenses.
If your dog is borderline overweight or obese, it is also a good practice to consistently communicate with your veterinary team to create a safe weight loss plan with gradually adjusted target weights, as restricting calories too quickly can lead to adverse health issues, such as hepatic lipidosis.
Please make use of the resources in the article, including the Dog’s weight management tracker chart, which you could access as a downloadable, easy-to-print copy. PAW’s goal is to inform both new and experienced dog caregivers on best practices to support your companion animals in maintaining optimal health and weight, ultimately promoting longevity. In summary, understanding canine weight management is important in the hopes of increasing longevity, protecting dogs from various kinds of illnesses or diseases, and ensuring they live their best life.
References
https://www.uoguelph.ca/ovc/news/node/2384
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs
https://www.royalcanin.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/BCS-chart-03.12.13.pdf
