Canine Obesity: Health Risks, Weight Loss Strategies, and Prevention

Why obesity is such a big problem for our dogs

It is not always easy to see what is going on underneath your dog’s fur, so never feel guilty about missing signs of weight gain. But with more than half of all dogs now classified as overweight or obese¹, addressing this issue has become a top priority for improving canine health and welfare. Therefore, learning how to identify any weight changes early is more important than ever before. Your dog only needs to be a few pounds overweight to be at risk of developing health problems, but don’t despair as treating any weight gain promptly will help avoid dog obesity symptoms, ensuring your pet stays healthy and active.

Overweight dogs are at risk of developing:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Breathing problems, especially brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds
• Heatstroke
• Certain cancers

Do I really need to be concerned if my dog is overweight? Can it really make a difference to my dog’s health?

Well, dogs who are obese have at least an extra 30% body weight and alongside being at a greater risk of becoming unwell, studies have also shown that it may shorten your dog’s lifespan by nearly two years^2,3. However, it is never too late to get your dog’s weight back under control and you may just be surprised by your dog’s new lease of life.

How to tell if your dog is overweight

When you are out and about with your dog you will meet overweight dogs regularly, so it is easy to consider them as normal. It is also increasingly common for people to incorrectly identify dogs as too thin when they are actually an ideal weight, so we understand why you may find assessing your dog’s weight confusing.

How to monitor your pet’s weight:

• Regular weight checks
• Body condition scoring your pet

What is body condition scoring

Weight varies so much between dogs, even within the same breed, and while regular weight checks are vital for enabling small weight changes to be identified, body condition scoring is a more valuable tool for evaluating your dog’s weight. Body condition scoring enables your pet’s fat distribution to be assessed, so you can really understand what is going on under your pet’s fur. It is specific for dogs and scored on a scale of 1 to 9, with a score of 4 or 5 being ideal and 6 or above being overweight. This may sound daunting at first, but with help from your vet, you will soon be able to monitor your pet’s weight at home. You can find more information about body condition scoring on the World Small Animal Veterinary Association website.

A dog with an ideal body condition (score of 4 or 5) will meet the following criteria,

• You can feel their ribs with only gentle pressure
• When looking at your dog from above you can see a defined waist between hips and rib cage
• When looking at your dog from the side you can see an abdominal tuck, with the tummy rising up towards the hips from the rib cage

How to help your dog lose weight

We all know how challenging it is to lose weight, so we understand your frustration when trying to get your dog to diet. Their pleading eyes and persistent begging can be impossible to ignore and quickly make you feel guilty. Instead, help is waiting at your veterinary practice where they can give you all the support you need to get your pet back into shape. In fact, attending your vet’s pet weight loss clinic will make you more likely to succeed in reaching your pet’s target weight.

Tips for helping your dog lose weight:

• Make mealtimes fun – Use food puzzles, treat dispenser toys or scatter your dog’s food to make mealtimes last longer and be more engaging. It can also increase satiety.
• Reduce your dog’s portion size – Their normal diet can be reduced under veterinary guidance, but care needs to be taken to ensure that it remains complete and balanced.
• Feed a weight loss diet – Specific weight loss diets enable controlled weight loss, without the risk of any nutritional deficiencies. It also helps a dog feel full, increasing your chances of achieving successful weight loss.
• Increase your dog’s exercise under guidance of your vet.
• Cut out all treats and food scraps – You can use part of your dog’s daily food ration as treats, which can be fed throughout the day.
• Weigh out your dog’s food – even measuring cups can be inaccurate, so weighing your dog’s food is essential to ensure you are feeding the correct amount.
• Avoid multiple meals by making sure everyone in the house knows the rules – some pets are experts at persuading people they haven’t been fed when they have!

Preventing canine obesity

Prevention is always easier than a cure when dealing with obesity in dogs, so regular weight monitoring and body condition scoring can start as soon as you bring your dog home. You may feel overwhelmed by monitoring a puppy’s growth, so your vet may recommend using a puppy growth chart to help prevent obesity from an early age. Getting into good habits early will protect your pup against many health conditions, ensuring a long, active future for your pup.

How to help prevent your dog from becoming overweight:

• Make sure your dog is fed a complete food – This will be balanced with the nutrients they require.
• Feed a diet appropriate for your dog’s life stage – Puppies will need to be fed a puppy food to support their growth, while elderly dogs will benefit from a senior diet.
• Any treats should be fed in moderation – Treats should be included within your dog’s daily calorie allowance. Your vet can help you work this out. Also, be aware that feeding too many treats can unbalance your dog’s diet.

We all know how easy it is to slip up with your dog’s diet, but rest assured that with regular weight monitoring throughout your dog’s life, you will identify any weight changes early before they cause any problems. Your vet can also help support you if your dog’s weight gets out of control, so never feel embarrassed to ask for help. In the long term, your dog will thank you for monitoring their weight, as it will enable them to lead a happy and healthy life.