Dog Obesity and Weight Control

As with people, obesity is becoming a major health problem in today's dogs. Between 20 to 40 percent of all dogs seen by veterinarians in the United States are considered overweight (5 to 10 percent over ideal weight), with many obese (20 percent or more over ideal weight). Even without a scale, you can have some idea of your dog's weight status. For most breeds, whether viewed from above or the side, the body should have an hour-glass figure with a definite waist. There should be no rolls of heavy skin or fat above the shoulder area or at the tail base.

While it's true that canine obesity doesn't interfere with your dog's social life, obesity still prevents dogs from enjoying many physical activities. Obesity decreases speed and stamina, and makes it more difficult for your dog to deal with heat. It's also associated with many medical conditions:

• Increased weight can place an excessive burden on joints, tendons, and ligaments, causing arthritic changes (especially in preexisting conditions such as hip dysplasia) and ligament tears (particularly of the anterior cruciate, or knee, ligament). The added weight on the spine can increase the chance that predisposed dogs, such as many long-backed breeds, will develop intervertebral disk disease.
• Obesity often brings on diabetes mellitus, as the body's requirements for insulin exceed the body's ability to produce it.
• Overweight dogs are more likely to have high blood pressure, placing an added burden on the heart.
• Fat in the chest and abdomen can restrict the ability of the lungs to expand, making breathing difficult. Again, the additional body tissue requires more oxygen, placing an additional workload on the lungs.
• Because excess fat is stored in the liver, hepatic lipidosis, in which increased fat builds up in the liver, may occur.
• Overweight dogs present a greater surgical risk because of the effects of obesity on heart and lung function. Obese dogs take longer to come out of anesthesia because a fatty liver may not be efficient in breaking down anesthetic drugs, which may also take longer to be cleared from the fat cells in the body. In addition, thick layers of fat may make it difficult for the surgeon to reach the surgical target. 
• Overweight dogs may have decreased immune function, increased skin fold pyodermas, increased risk of constipation, flatulence, and anal sac impaction, and possibly increased chance of some cancers. They also have an increased risk of needing a Caesarean section when giving birth.
• Overweight dogs don't live as long as ideal weight dogs.

Certain medical conditions can bring on weight gain or the appearance of being fat, so before launching into a diet you should have your veterinarian check for possible problems such as hypothyroidism, or Cushing's syndrome, among others. But most cases of fat dogs are simply the product of eating more calories than they expend. These dogs need a weight reduction program aimed at decreasing calorie intake and increasing exercise. Aim to reduce weight by about 1 to 2 percent of the body weight each week.

Make sure everyone in the household is on board with the program, and that nobody is sneaking the dog treats or table scraps. When you do give your dog treats, substitute something like carrots, broccoli, cooked green beans, unbuttered popcorn, ice cubes or slices of diet canned dog food that are either frozen or baked to a crisp. When your dog begs, play a game or take him for a walk around the block instead. He'll probably like that just as well---and it will be good for both of you.

No more free-feeding! Dogs tend to overeat when they can snack at will. Instead, feed three to four small meals each day. If you continue to feed your current dog food, feed less of it---anywhere from 20 to 40 percent less per day. Alternatively, you can feed a weight-reduction food, which are higher in fiber and protein, and lower in calories, than regular dog food. If you switch foods, add the new food in gradually, exchanging about a quarter of the old diet for the new every few days until the entire bowl is filled with the new food after about a week. Abrupt diet changes could cause stomach upsets, which could in turn make your dog not look upon his new diet with gusto.

Your dog can lose weight. You have control over his eating and exercise. Unlike you, he can't blame his lack of self-control, because you're the one in complete control. He'll thank you for it as he enjoys a longer, happier, and healthier life because of your tough love.