THE PET EXPERT: HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG IS OVERWEIGHT

How concerned are you about your pet’s weight? According to the Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association, more than half of all dogs in Canada are considered overweight or obese. This is not just a small problem; statistics show there is clearly a pet obesity epidemic in North America.

Because of their weight, over half of the canine population is at an increased risk of serious health problems like joint and mobility issues, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more.

The Risks Of An Overweight Dog

Pain and Mobility Problems

Excess weight can cause joint and mobility problems for pets, resulting in an increase in inflammation and pain. This can also lead to long-term chronic conditions, such as arthritis. Overweight pets are also at an increased risk of doing serious damage to load-bearing body parts, like knees and hips. Whether it’s wear and tear from old age, or tearing ligaments due to a slip or fall, the extra pounds compound these risks significantly.

Diabetes

Just like people, overweight pets are more susceptible to developing Type 2 diabetes. It is believed that overweight pets may develop an insulin resistance within cells in the body. In fact, this is one of the most common health problems with overweight and obese dogs and cats.

Heart Disease

Due to their size, the heart of an overweight pet has to work much harder. This extra workload can lead to hypertension and congestive heart failure over time, and may also result in breathing problems.

Liver Disease

This occurs when an increased amount of fat builds up on the liver, eventually leading to what’s called hepatic lipidosis (or fatty liver), which decreases the liver’s ability to do its job of purifying the body.

Gastrointestinal Issues

Because overweight dogs are typically overfed, intestinal gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach aches, and vomiting are all more common issues with overweight dogs.

Some forms of cancer, asthma, and respiratory issues, skin and coat problems, increased risk for allergies and sensitivities, and decreased immune function can also be health risks for overweight pets.

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight

No matter their breed, there are common things to look for. First, look at your dog from above. If they look round or oval shaped, there’s a good chance they’re carrying extra weight. On the other hand, dogs who have a clearly defined waist signify a more optimal weight. Look at your dog from the sides, too. A healthy-weight pooch will have a slightly raised waist, with their rib cage being the most low-hanging part of their torso. Overweight dogs will have more of a saggy look to their waist.

Next, feel around your dog’s ribs. You should be able to feel your dog’s individual ribs, without them being too prominent. If it is difficult to find your dog’s ribs, then it is likely they need to shed some extra pounds. While you’re feeling their ribs, also feel the rest of the body to look for fatty deposits, which may also be an indicator of a dog eating too much. These are most commonly found on top of the hips, and around the chest.

It is wise to weigh your dog regularly to monitor changes in their weight. This can easily be done at home, your veterinary clinic, and also at our Pet Health & Wellness Centre in Meaford (once the lockdowns are lifted, of course).

What To Do If Your Dog Is Overweight

Getting fit starts in the kitchen.

The first step to lowering your dog’s weight is reducing their food intake so they run a calorie deficit, not a surplus. You’ll need to monitor their progress, and part of that will be counting calories. Consult the feeding guidelines of your pet’s food to determine the amount of food required to support their optimal weight. Most pet food brands will have a ‘less active’ feeding guideline specifically for this purpose.

Monitor your dog’s progress for four weeks on this new feeding regiment, and see how their weight changes. If they have not lost any weight, they are either still consuming too many calories, not getting enough exercise, or may have an underlying health issue, like hypothyroidism.

Next, increase your dog’s exercise. Take longer or more frequent walks, try a new hiking trail, or get an interactive play toy to keep them moving more. The more they move, the more calories they burn.

Providing your dog has no underlying health issues, weight loss in pets is a fairly simple process. All it takes is a little bit of discipline and consistency. Doing so can add years of good health to your pet’s life.

Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon holds multiple certifications in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.