In the shadow of human health concerns around the world, another silent epidemic has been steadily growing: obesity in pet dogs. Just as with humans, the consequences of excessive weight in our canine companions are severe and can lead to various health complications. Unfortunately, this is being normalised, and many dogs shown on TV and in advertisements are also overweight. This normalisation means that many dog owners who I work with actually have no idea that their dog's are overweight to begin with.
The Scale of our Pet Obesity Problem
Recent studies have shown that the number of overweight and obese dogs has increased significantly over the past decade. In America, it is predicted that more than half of all pet dogs are overweight or obese!
Factors contributing to this rise include overfeeding, offering too many treats, lack of proper exercise, and a general misunderstanding of what constitutes a healthy weight for different dog breeds.
How the Obesity Epidemic is Affecting Our Dogs:
Joint Problems: Extra weight places undue stress on a dog's joints, leading to conditions like arthritis.
Diabetes: Obesity can increase the risk of dogs developing diabetes.
Heart Disease: Excess fat affects cardiac function and can lead to congestive heart failure.
Breathing Difficulties: Obesity can put pressure on the chest cavity, making breathing more laborious and leading to conditions like tracheal collapse.
Decreased Lifespan: Several studies suggest that overweight dogs tend to live shorter lives than their fitter counterparts.
What is Causing Our Pets to Become Fatter?
Overfeeding: Every bag of dog food has a weight guide for the amount of food to feed your dog. However, overfeeding is still a major issue in many places, as owners some disregard these recommendations and feed their dogs more for each meal.
Treats: While giving treats is a way that many owners show love, excessive treats or those high in fat and sugar contribute significantly to the problem. We recommend finding fruits and vegetables that your dogs like instead of treats from the store. Foods like Blueberries, Asparagus, Cucumber, Carrot and Courgette can make good alternatives and provide your pup with extra nutrients as a bonus.
Lack of Exercise: Many dogs, especially in urban settings, aren't getting the daily physical activity they require.
Underlying Health Conditions: Some conditions, like hypothyroidism, can lead to weight gain. Regular vet check-ups are essential.
Breed: Some breeds, such as Labradors have a genetic component that makes them more prone to weight gain.
Misunderstanding of Ideal Weight: Many pet owners aren't aware of what a healthy weight looks like for their breed, leading to unintentional overfeeding.
Addressing Canine Obesity
Dietary Changes: Consult with a veterinarian to establish a balanced diet tailored to your dog's age, size, and health needs.
Food Quantity: Ensure that you are adhering to the recommended amount of food as per your dogs ideal weight/age, which can be found on the food bag.
Make sure that you are feeding quality food: Many foods from the supermarket, although good enough to keep your dog alive, aren't well catered for optimal health. Many of these cheaper foods are lower in protein, causing your dog to become hungrier in between means and increasing the chance of overeating.
Regular Exercise: Ensuring your dog gets regular walks, play sessions, and other forms of physical activity is essential.
Limit Treats: Treats from a pet store should never constitute more than 10% of a dog's daily caloric intake. You can add as many vegetable treats as you like to your dog's diet. Fruit should also be included, but limited due to the higher sugar content.
Regular Vet Check-ups: Yearly visits can help monitor weight and identify any underlying health issues.
Education: Dog owners should be educated about breed-specific weight guidelines and the risks of obesity.
Be observant: Keep an eye on your dog and keep the ideal body weight guidelines in mind. As soon as you see your dog starting to pick up weight, reduce their calorie intake for a few weeks, cut out treats for a while and/or increase their exercise quote.
What Does the Ideal Weight On a Dog Look Like?
The Ideal Weight on a dog should allow you to see a clear Head, Tucking in at the neck, coming out at the shoulder, tucking in at the waist and coming out again at the rear end. This will obviously vary by breed, but even chunky breeds like Bulldogs will show this pattern, although to a slightly lesser extent, when they are the correct weight.
You can see in the back view of this Dalmatian how her waist is not very pronounced and nearly merges into her chest. This dog would benefit from losing some weight.
If you hold your thumbs on your dog's spine and fingers on their ribs, you should be able to feel their ribs easily, without needing to push or probe. Ideally, you should faintly be able to see your dog's ribs as they walk.
There should be a definite tuck of the tummy into the spine before the back legs. If your dog's tummy looks flat or parallel to the ground then they are overweight. If your dogs stomach distends, rather than tucking in, they are likely tending more towards obese.
The Shepherd Cross in the photos below is at an ideal weight. The Jack Russel, on the other hand, is obese, with his stomach rounding out near his back legs, rather than tucking in.
If you have any worries or concerns, most vet clinics will allow you to do a free weigh in on their scales without needing to see your vet. If you are still concerned with your dog's weight, a veterinarian or dog nutritionist can help to address your concerns.
Conclusion
The obesity epidemic in pet dogs serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibilities as pet owners. While our busy lives often lead us down paths of convenience, it's crucial to remember that the choices we make directly influence our pets' health and longevity. With rising numbers of overweight and obese dogs, it's time to reassess our habits, from feeding to exercise routines. It's not merely about extending the lifespan of our pets, but ensuring the quality of the years they spend with us.
By acknowledging the gravity of this issue and taking proactive steps towards a healthier lifestyle for our dogs, we can turn the tide against this growing epidemic. After all, our pets shower us with unconditional love and loyalty; it's only right that we prioritize their health and well-being in return.
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