Canine Obesity - Just How Bad Is It?
Canine obesity is an important - and very common - medical condition with serious health implications. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated that there are 41.2 million pet dogs in the United States. Other sources estimate 40 percent of those dogs, approximately 17 million, are overweight or obese. A recent study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same. Why the difference? It could be denial or the difficulty owners have in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.
Causes
- Feeding Habits: Much of the rise in canine obesity can be blamed on feeding habits - namely giving your dog access to a bowl of dog food 24/7. (It's known as "free choice" in some professional circles.) Overfeeding at select meal times can be just as bad. High-calorie treats and table snacks only add to the problem.
- Lack of Exercise: The formula for eating vs. exercise is pretty straightforward: When your furry friend takes in more calories than he or she expends, they're going to put on weight. Many dogs simply aren't getting enough exercise to compensate for how much they eat.
- Neutering: Being neutered lowers the metabolic rate in dogs, which can lead to extra weight gain if feeding is not adjusted. Even so, the health benefits of spaying or neutering, as well as eliminating behavior disorders related to the mating instinct and unwanted litters, far outweigh the risk of a slower metabolism and potential weight gain. A balanced diet and exercise can help keep your neutered dog from gaining weight.
- Slow Metabolism: Just like you, your dog's metabolism slows with age. Most dogs start to show that middle-age spread by age 5 or 6. (Any dog overweight at 2 years of age is a sign of real trouble ahead.)
- Breed: Genetics play a role, too. Certain breeds are simply more prone to weight gain, notably beagles, cocker spaniels, collies, shelties, basset hounds, dachshunds and Labrador/golden retrievers.
- Hormonal Disorders: A wide array of hormonal disorders and other ailments also lead to or complicate canine obesity. They range from hypothyroidism to Cushing's disease.
Related Problems
"So," you tell yourself. "He likes to eat. What's the big deal?"
Plenty. Next time he flashes those big brown "I'm soooo hungry" puppy dog eyes at you, consider that a fat dog faces an array of health problems.
He's more likely to be at a greater risk for developing or exacerbating:
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiac disease
- Respiratory conditions
- Heat or exercise intolerance
- Dermatological problems affecting skin, hair and coat
- Compromised immune function
- Increased surgical and anesthetic risks
- Cruciate/intervertebral disk rupture
Any of which may add up to a shorter life. An independent study demonstrated that dogs that had their food intake restricted and were kept at an ideal weight throughout their lives had a median lifespan 15% greater than those dogs fed free choice. I
t's not too late to help your furry companion live a healthier and more active life.
Take the BARC survey, print out your results and take the information to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will determine the proper weight for your dog and work with you to devise an action plan that ensures the health and happiness of your best friend.
www.stopcanineobesity.com/barc.aspx
The Healthy Path to Weight Loss
If your veterinarian determines that your dog should lose weight, it's important to take a slow and steady approach toward making a change, for the sake of safety and long-term results. Here are some canine weight-loss guidelines to consider and discuss with your veterinarian.
- Establishing a well-managed diet and exercise regimen is the number one priority in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight for your dog. Crash diets are not the answer.
- The safest rate of weight loss for any dog (or mammal for that matter) is generally considered to be between one and two percent of total body weight per week
- Losing weight at this rate is safer and more effective for establishing new healthy habits.
- Inducing weight loss at a rate faster than two percent of total body weight per week is more likely to reduce lean tissue (muscle) and result in a weight gain rebound
- Any weight loss program that you and your veterinarian plan should be customized to fit your dog; based on starting weight, with regular adjustments as body mass is reduced.
- Prepare for the long haul. You are training your dog to eat less and exercise more. This is just as difficult for dogs as it is for humans. Make your end goal a healthy lifestyle for your dog and you will have a much better chance of success.
Reproduced in part from BARC report on canine obesity 2007. |
