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It is estimated that about half of all dogs in the UK suffer from obesity. Dogs of all shapes and sizes can become obese; however, some breeds are more susceptible than others. High risk breeds include: Labradors, dachshunds, beagles and cocker spaniels. However, no pet owner can afford to become complacent where their dog’s weight is concerned. Like humans, dogs evolved a love of high calorie foods as a survival mechanism. However, now with loving owners (“caring creatures”) to look after them, this love of food can become a health burden rather than a benefit.
Obesity may be caused by an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism, signs of which may also include: lethargy and alopecia (hair loss). However, by far the commonest cause of obesity is too much food with too little exercise. These are both things which owners can control, and it is important for your pet’s health that you do so. Obesity is linked to heart and joint disease, both of which can reduce the quality of your dog’s life, as well as its overall life span.
The first thing to do is to examine your dog’s body condition to see whether it is, like the majority of British dogs, overweight. This is trickier if you have a long-haired dog, however, if necessary simply part the fur before performing the check. You should be able to feel two bumps on the hips, without having to press through too much fat; these bumps are the pelvis bone. You should also be able to feel the ribs of your dog when only applying very light pressure. If you cannot feel the ribs it is because they are covered in a thick layer of fat, indicating obesity. Conversely, if you can see the ribs protruding then your dog is probably underweight. The next question to ask is: can you pinch an inch? Pinch the skin over the side of your dog’s neck, if you have much more than about an inch and a half, then your dog is probably overweight.
A more direct way to monitor your dog’s weight is to weigh him/her regularly. Most people’s bathroom scales will not be up to the job. However, veterinary clinics will have weighing scales made specifically for dogs. Indeed, many veterinary clinics encourage their clients to come in and make use of the scales regularly, usually free of charge.
If you find your dog is overweight, we encourage you to speak to your veterinarian, in order to devise a plan tailored to your dogs needs. However, it is generally useful to think about: the type of food, the portion size and the frequency with which you are feeding your dog. The time of day at which you feed your dog is also important. A meal just before a long period of inactivity, e.g. before bed, will encourage weight gain. On the other hand, feeding your dog immediately before exercise is also not a good idea. Managing your dog’s weight is about striking a healthy balance.
If your dog is otherwise healthy, increasing the level of exercise he/she gets will help with weight loss. Before ramping up your dog’s work out routine be sure to check with your veterinarian that there are no underlying health conditions (e.g. arthritis) that might be exacerbated by certain types of exercise. In most cases, pet dogs are not exercised optimally. For example, leaving your dog in your garden is not an appropriate exercise program. If you do intend to use your garden rather than a park to exercise your dog then you will need to actually go outside and play with it, if it is to expend a significant number of calories.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember that your pet dog is not a human, and therefore should not be feed human foods. Every caring creature knows that when it comes to pets: sharing is not always caring.
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