How much should I feed my dog if he is overweight
What & How to Feed Your Overweight Dog: 6 Myths to Debunk
Whats a major but unspoken cause behind the rising percentage of dogs considered overweight or even obese in this country? For pet parents, not fessing up to having an overweight dog speaks to the fear of being judged. For veterinarians, its the fear of appearing judgmental. Without open, two-way conversations, far too many dogs are staying chubby and at risk for a host of health issues.
A person who has a Labrador Retriever who is 20 pounds overweight is afraid the veterinarian may judge him or her as being a poor pet parent, says Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. And the veterinarian is so afraid of inadvertently offending the client about the dogs weight that he or she backs off the conversation about the weight. I find that many veterinarians are more comfortable lifting the lip and telling their clients that their dogs have periodontal disease but wont go that extra step to tell them that their dogs have obesity. But obesity is a disease, and as long as we remain silent about it, we cant make it better for our dogs.
Dr. Ward, who launched the APOP in 2005 to develop and promote effective weight loss programs for pets, is on a mission to help pet parents and their veterinarians shed fears of judgment and focus on working together to help dogs achieve healthy weights and enjoy quality lives. For me as a veterinarian, I really care less about what a dog weighs and more about his body condition score that measures muscle, bone and fat, he says. There will always be a LeBron James of the dog world who has big bones but who is not overweight based on his body condition score. He is hard at work dispelling myths regarding overweight canines.
The 6 Myths About Feeding Overweight Dogs
Myth #1: A definition of overweight dog exists.
We dont have a definition for overweight dogs yet, but we are working on it, Dr. Ward says. Quite frankly, overweight is anything that is over ideal weight. But we do agree on a medical definition of obesity and that is 30 percent above an ideal weight or a body condition score of 8 or 9.
For dogs, the goal is to be a 4 or 5 on the 9-point body condition score system developed in 1997 by Nestl Purina.
Myth #2: Its the number of pounds on the weight scale that matters.
When determining if you have an overweight dog, focus less on the number of pounds registering on the scale and more on your dogs fat percentage.
Fat is one of the most biologically active ingredients in the body, says Dr. Ward, who is based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Excessive amounts of fat cause chronic inflammation throughout the body, and inflammation is the enemy of good health. When the body is in this chronic, inflamed state, there is an increased chance of cancer, arthritis in joints and other health issues developing.
Myth #3: When measuring food portions, kibble is an easier option than canned commercial food.
It is far easier to use a kitchen scale and weigh the portion of canned food than it is to measure out the precise number of kibble, Dr. Ward says. For example, if you fed just 10 extra pieces of kibble a day to a dog under 22 pounds, he would gain one extra pound in one year. Its easier to divide a can of food than to do kibble counting.
And keep tabs on the number, size and ingredients in treats you dole out when rewarding your dog in training for successfully going to the bathroom in the backyard or acing his basic obedience class.
Giving your dog a high-calorie treat each and every time he successfully potties outside or walks nicely on a leash can contribute to the extra pounds, Dr. Ward says.
Myth #4: Low-fat diets aid in weight loss and can help avoid having an overweight dog.
Therapeutic diets tend to excel because they are higher in palatability and protein, Dr. Ward says. The dream weight-loss diet is high protein, high fat, high fiber, and low carbohydrates. Fiber is filling and helps with the gut flora.
He adds that canned foods reduce the carbohydrate content found in dry food and that some contain two healthy allies: l-carnitine to increase fat metabolism and omega-3 to maintain healthy joints and skin. Consult your veterinarian about the possible benefits of adding these two ingredients as supplements.
Myth #5: An overweight dog will automatically become diabetic.
People and cats who are overweight or obese are at tremendous risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but dogs are more resistant to type 2 diabetes, but they are at risk for being whats known as insulin resistant, Dr. Ward explains.
These dogs may not show the classic signs of diabetes urinating and drinking excessively but will suffer chronic inflammation in the body due to insulin spikes. Dr. Ward urges you to have your veterinarian analyze results from blood and urine tests on your dog to accurately identify his health status.
For dogs identified as insulin resistant, boosting quality protein and losing weight steadily may be a simpler fix than getting a diabetes diagnosis that requires giving insulin injections twice a day for the rest of the dogs life, he says.
Myth #6: An overweight dog must lose at least 10 percent of his weight to achieve better mobility and better health.
I have a lot of Labrador Retriever patients who are 100 pounds and who need to be 75 pounds, Dr. Ward says. But if they lose just 5 to 10 pounds, you will see improved quality of life in these Labs. We need to focus on the goals of achieving quality of life and not on the number of pounds lost.
In the Ward household, Border Terriers Harry and Jenny were doled out healthy treats, especially baby carrots that the family also enjoys snacking on. Its a super way to do parallel healthy eating, he says. Whats good for my pet can be good for me.
Dr. Wards parting message to anyone who has a dog who is above the ideal weight
Dont beat yourself up, and realize that you are not helpless, he says. If your dog has gained weight, you can help with minimal effort by not giving high-calorie treats by weighing your dogs food at mealtime and by taking your dog for an extra 10-minute walk. The joy of obesity is that of all the diseases we treat in dogs, this is one that people can address inexpensively through consistent efforts.
Pet parents talk about their tricks to combat having an overweight dog
Here are comments we at Dogster fetched from a Facebook shout out:
- Linda Stello of Crystal, Minnesota: Doc, her 9-year-old German Shepherd Dog-Chow Chow mix, shed 20 excess pounds over two years. Linda worked with her veterinarian in giving Doc a Chinese herbal supplement, carprofen, and adjusting the food portions for her arthritic dog who now moves easier and with less pain.
- Laura Showers of Davenport, Iowa: After noticing that her senior dog, Harley, was a bit overweight, she followed her veterinarians advice and replaced one-fourth of Harleys food with green beans at each meal.
- Raquel Aguilar of San Antonio, Texas: Her moms dog, Missy, has hip dysplasia, so they turned to eliminating treats, switching to a therapeutic diet recommended by her veterinarian and training Missy how to safely walk on a water treadmill available at the veterinary clinic. Missy is also taking anti-inflammatory medicine.
To learn more ways to help keep your dog at a healthy weight, visit the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesitys website at petobesityprevention.org.
Read more about dog health and care on Dogster.com:
About the author: Arden Moore, the Pet Health and Safety Coach, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first-aid instructor, author and host of the Oh, Behave Show on PetLifeRadio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.
8 Ways to Help Your Overweight Dog
Most of the time, its a joy to share things with our dogs. Unfortunately, we share bad habits, too. It turns out our dogs are just as prone to one of our most common health problems obesity.
A few extra pounds on your pup can have serious health implications, putting your dog at risk of experiencing a wide range of diseases and conditions, including a reduced life expectancy. Added weight can also impact your dogs quality of life by affecting their mobility, energy for play, and overall mood.
As in humans, we now recognize obesity as the most important medical disease that affects our companion animals, says Dr. Alex German of the University of Liverpool/Royal Canin Weight Management Clinic.
Talk to your veterinarian for information and guidance when it comes to your dogs diet and potential weight-loss plan. In the meantime, here are eight ways you can start to help your overweight dog.
1. Know Your Dogs Healthy Weight
Different breeds and ages have different healthy weight ranges. Check what the AKC breed standard says about the ideal weight for your breed. If your dog is beyond that range, consult your vet. Its best to get a professionals help as you assess your pets accurate weight, body condition, and diet, determine if the dog would benefit from a weight-loss plan, and set a target weight to work toward.
Note that some dogs may be shorter or taller than their breed standard requirements, so the ideal weight would be within those dogs breed standard height descriptions.
2. Keep Your Dog Active
Just like humans, exercise is crucial when it comes to helping your overweight dog get healthy. Increasing your dogs activity helps burn off energy (and calories consumed).
Dont panic! Exercising your pet doesnt have to mean running marathons or going for long hikes. Regular walks and the chance to run and play in a safe off-leash environment are good forms of exercise for your dog. Participating in AKC FIT DOG is a great way for you to get moving with your pet.
Even creating a stimulating indoor environment that gets your dog moving can help. Remember, different breeds need different amounts of exercise, so consult your vet, breeder, or your dogs breed standard for guidance on how much activity is recommended.
3. Know the Difference Between Begging and Hunger
Begging is not always about wanting more to eat. In fact, its often a ploy to get more attention. (And, when its rewarded, you reinforce and encourage the behavior to continue.) If your dog begs, dont assume that theyre hungry. Trust your instincts and keep track of when the last mealtime was.
If your dog is prone to begging and youre prone to giving in to those puppy dog eyes, talk to your vet about a high-protein diet with a blend of fibers to help manage your dogs appetite and reduce their voluntary food intake. That way, you can feed your dog while knowing that they will feel fuller and stay satisfied longer.
4. Limit Treats and Table Scraps
Even when our dogs dont beg, many of us volunteer too many treats and table scraps. Dogs dont need to share everything we eat. Think of treats and scraps for your pet as you would candy for children to help you keep them to a minimum.
If you use treats for training, look for low-calorie, low-fat options and limit the amount. As an alternative, remember that clickers work great for reinforcement, and theyve got zero calories! After all, a few extra pounds can make a huge difference for dogs, who are much smaller than we are. (Even those large breeds!) So, concentrate on a healthy diet, and curb the urge to treat them with more.
5. Measure and Monitor
Once your vet has designed a weight-management plan, you should have a clear idea of how much your dog should eat at each meal. Be vigilant. Dont free-feed or eyeball how much you scoop out. Instead, use an appropriate measuring device to ensure youre managing portion control.
6. Customize Your Dogs Diet
Not all weight-loss foods are created equal, so its important to match your dog with a nutrition plan that directly addresses their specific needs. Look for a brand that offers dog food designed for your pets own issues, whether its weight management, sensitive stomachs, or something else entirely.
7. Dont Go Cold Turkey
No, this isnt about feeding your dog leftovers. Its important to ease your dog into a new diet, rather than abruptly changing what they eat. Always consult with your vet before starting your dog on a new regimen. A good guideline is to plan for at least a seven-day transition when starting a new type of food. Heres what that could look like:
- On the first two days, feed your dog 75% of their old food and 25% of the new food.
- On the third and fourth days, increase the percentage of new food to 50%, with the other 50% being the old food.
- On the fifth and sixth days, feed your dog 75% of the new food, and 25% of the old food.
- By the seventh day, you should be up to 100% of the new food.
8. Stick With It
Like human, like pet! Studies have shown that after successfully losing weight, approximately half of all dogs regained weight. The good news is that researchers also found that rebound weight gain was significantly reduced by keeping dogs on a weight-loss diet, even after achieving their target weight. So, now that youve done the hard work and transitioned to a new formula thats working, stick with it! As with so many things in our dogs worlds, consistency is the key.
