Weight management is essential for a dog’s well-being and long life, so attention should be given to it both during puppyhood and as a senior. Alvar's veterinarian Henna explains the impacts of being overweight, what to consider when losing weight, and how to maintain a dog's weight.
Overweight on dogs is a lot more common than you think
Overweight is now one of the most common health issues in dogs, with even half of dogs being mildly overweight or obese.
The negative effects of being overweight are numerous. Obesity is known to cause joint diseases, heart and circulatory problems, and insulin resistance. The low-grade inflammation caused by excess weight can manifest in various ways, such as inflammatory symptoms and weakened immunity. An overweight dog’s life expectancy is also shorter than that of a dog with a normal weight.
Is my dog overweight?
If you’re unsure about your dog’s ideal weight, you can compare your dog to others of the same breed and sex. You can also compare the current weight to your dog’s weight at the end of its growth phase, when it hopefully hadn’t gained extra weight yet. This information may be found in veterinary records from, for example, your dog’s one-year vaccination visit. Besides weighing, an important way to assess a dog’s ideal weight is through body condition evaluation.
A dog with a normal body condition has a clearly defined waist when viewed from above, and the belly line rises when viewed from the side. There may be a small layer of subcutaneous fat on the sides, but the ribs should be felt with light pressure. Body condition, or condition score (BCS), is classified on a scale of 1-9.
Dog Body Condition Evaluation Scale
On a 1-9 scale, a normal-weight dog has a body condition score of 4/5. When the condition score changes by one number, the weight is considered to change by about 10%.
For example, a dog with a condition score of 7 is likely about 20% overweight.
Weight Loss Diet for Dogs
Diet plays an important role in weight management. Studies suggest that a weight loss diet for dogs should have low fat and calorie content to limit energy intake, sufficient protein to maintain muscle mass during weight loss, and a high fiber content to promote a feeling of fullness.
During weight loss, energy intake is limited to ensure the dog burns more energy than it receives from food. The right energy requirement depends on the dog's size and the amount of excess weight, so it's easiest to follow the portion guidelines provided on the dog’s food packaging. Foods specifically for weight management should also include guidelines for lower energy needs. The portion size should always be selected based on the dog’s target ideal weight. For a larger weight loss effort, it is advisable to work with a veterinarian, who can also assist in determining the correct portion sizes.
How to find the perfect food to shake the extra kilos off my dog?
There are several dog foods designed for weight management, ensuring dogs get the nutrients they need. For dogs that are clearly overweight, there are very low-calorie special diets available through veterinarians.
Canned foods, which have a high moisture content, help dilute the energy density of meals and can be combined with suitable dry food when needed.
Feeding routines during a dog's diet
In addition to the food, proper feeding practices are important for a dog's weight loss project to be successful. The daily food portion should be weighed accurately. One family member can take responsibility for the dog's feeding to ensure portion sizes stay correct.
It’s a good idea to divide the daily food portion into at least two, or if needed, more meals to maintain a steady feeling of fullness. For dogs that are very greedy or eat quickly, consider using slow-feeding bowls, as slower eating allows the feeling of fullness to form better.
Are treats off the table?
Treats and other edible items outside of the regular food should account for no more than 10% of the dog’s daily energy intake.
If treats are included in your dog's diet, for example, for training purposes, their calories must be accounted for in the total daily energy intake, and other food should be reduced accordingly. The calories in chews and chew products should also be subtracted from the other food.
You can try using normal food kibbles as training treats. In this case, the kibbles used for training can be directly subtracted from the daily food portion. Alternatively, choose low-calorie treats.
Safety first: don't go overboard
It’s important to note that weight loss for dogs should be slow. The safe weight loss rate is about 0.5-1% per week, so quick diets should not be planned for dogs!
To ensure safe weight loss, the diet and feeding practices should follow the portion control guidelines and veterinary recommendations.
Adequate exercise and activity support weight management and also ensure the preservation of muscle condition during weight loss. For severely overweight dogs, exercise should be gradually increased. Choose gentle forms of exercise, such as swimming, to protect the joints.
Preventing Dog Obesity
Prevention is always easier than weight loss, so it’s important to monitor your dog’s weight and body condition closely and adjust feeding to ensure that excess weight doesn’t accumulate. Weight management should be considered during the dog’s growth phase. Overweight puppies are more likely to be overweight as adults.
Another important moment for weight management is potential neutering or spaying, after which dogs tend to gain weight, and feeding should be adjusted accordingly.
