Obesity in pets is one of the major health crises facing owners. Unlike many health worries in pets, obesity is 100% treatable and preventable. Carrying extra weight affects the function of joint, the heart, can lead to diabetes, overheating, etc. Let us look at weight issues in dogs and how it can be combated, plus a look at what could be a very inspiring story.
There are many causes of obesity in dogs as well as various myths. Obesity is most often caused by improper diet, too much food/treats, the wrong kinds of food and too little exercise. Spaying or neutering will
not cause obesity nor should it be a factor. Occasionally there may be a medical cause for weight gain such as thyroid issues. However, these can often be managed medically. There are environmental and lifestyle concerns with weight gain in pets. Animals allowed "negligent" access to food will gain weight: "counter surfing" and trash can raiding, constantly full food bowls, and owners equating food with love can all lead to a chubby pet. There may even be a genetic component to a predisposition to weight gain, though this is no excuse for obesity. We decide the weight of our dog, simple as that.
When I met Buddy, his first owner could not cope with him so parents of said owner's girlfriend stepped in. His new owners equated food with love. When they were sent to me by their vet, (also the vet I use), for behavioral issues, Buddy was at least twenty pounds too heavy. His ideal weight was around 70-75lbs. He was about 90. The behavioral issues were workable with, but what worried me was the weight issue. It had to be addressed in order for us to be able to work with Buddy in a safer manner. The added stress on his joints and an odd gait that made me worried about hip issues, and with a dog that needed a lot of exercise, this was a bad combination. The vet and I discussed a plan of diet and exercise with the owners. I worked with Buddy and did what I could. The dog craved exercise but the body was not able to handle it. His frustration was showing in horrid behaviors! I did what I could and the couple assured me Buddy would be fine.
I next saw Buddy about nine months later when his owners felt enough progress has been made for group classes. Buddy was just shy of double his healthy body weight. His owners had not made any changes to his diet, amount of food, treats or exercise. Buddy was just over two years old and could barely walk. For his safety, he had to be removed from group classes. It was too risky. Buddy was suffering and could have died. I emphasized this, promised a spot in an upcoming class once Buddy was healthier. It would be another year before I would hear back. The couple was given another dog and they wanted private work for him and Buddy. I was shocked when I saw Buddy. He was down to 80lbs! How did they do it? Pure diet and exercise was the trick!
How heavy is too heavy for your dog? Well that all depends on size. A pound extra in a Chihuahua is far more of a worry than a pound extra in a Great Pyrenees. Some dogs may look heavy due to build, physical condition or coat, but in actuality, not be. An out of condition dog may look heftier than one with good musculature and condition. Based on breed and other factors, your vet can help you decide a good weight. A general rule of thumb is if you can feel the ribs with gentle pressure, see a tuck up between the ribs and hind legs, see a waist when looking down, your dog may be of good weight or not horribly overweight. If you have to press to feel ribs and there is not much of a waist or tuck-up, your pup is probably chubby. If your pet looks like a grape on stilts, he is definitely obese. When it is determined your pet needs to shed some extra baggage, what can you do? Action will be based on the severity of the issue.
A weight loss plan should include monitoring of diet and exercise, the removal of all treats and the ability for your dog to serve himself. Supervising all foods given to your dog is vital. No matter how well the owner does, if Great Aunt Emily or your kids sneak Spunky treats, the diet will be for nothing. Keeping a food chart of every bowl of food, dog treat given and potato chip eaten off the floor may be eye opening as to how much between meal junk your dog actually gets.
If your pet is just a tad chubby, weight loss may be a case of decreasing kibble/canned intake slightly and increasing exercise. If you "feel" your dog may need more food, you can add in low calorie fillers such as green beans, cooked squash/pumpkin or brown rice. If you equate food with love and attention, you will teach a dog to beg for it, even when he is not hungry. Replace this begging for attention and getting food with giving a game or a walk. There have been recent studies on the role of protein in weight loss. Some foods stating "Lite" on the label may not be ideal for good weight loss. If you are changing foods to help with weight loss, go to a high quality brand of food. You can also switch out dog bones for baby carrots or better yet, fresh green beans. If you give your dog Kongs or bones stuffed with peanut butter, try low fat peanut butter or frozen, low fat yogurt. If your pet is more than just a tad chubby, you will need the help of your vet. Your dog may need a prescription diet, weekly weigh-ins and carefully monitored exercise. . Whatever plan your vet puts your dog on; it is your responsibility to follow it.
What about doggie diet pills? I would avoid these. My feeling is that they will lead to owner laziness. Many breeds of dog have moderate to higher energy requirements. Pills may lead to owners not meeting exercise requirements in their dogs, this can lead to behavioral issues down the road. A June 16, 2007 article in
Science Daily on line states that many veterinarians are skeptical of the doggie diet pill as humans are the cause of pet obesity, in the majority of cases. In addition, there are side effects that can include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Obesity affects more of our pets now than ever before. In the vast majority of cases, it is the owner's fault. Just like with us, what we eat and how much compared to our exercise level is what creates a weight problem.
I saw Buddy at the vet several months after our last in-home session with their other dogs. Buddy was fat again. The owner claimed that it was when they changed foods from the prescription diet to a good, commercial brand. I had suggested it, as they were complaining about the cost of the prescription food; Buddy's weight was down to normal. I had discussed the need for more exercise and with careful monitoring of treats. I outlined various things they could do for Buddy to help him burn calories that would not be too taxing on the owners. Well, they never did it. Buddy had put 11 plus pounds back on and was still gaining. The vet looked at me and shrugged. Had the owners kept with the exercise regime a dog like Buddy needed and monitored the treats better, he would be fine. Instead, he is back on the path to morbid obesity.
For more on Pet Obesity, weight charts, etc., please visit:
www.petobesityprevention.com
