PAWS and Balance: Canine Healthy Weight Management
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 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