How overweight is unhealthy?
Dogs should not be overweight at all, especially as puppies or
adolescents.
Is your Dog Overweight?
Americans are
noticing the problem of obesity in almost every part of society. Weight
issues are also a problem for our pets.
Studies suggest that approximately 25 - 40
percent of dogs the in the US are overweight.
Obesity is just as problematic for dogs as it is for humans, and for
this reason, pet owners should find out if their dog is overweight.
Excess
weight places a dog at risk for a multitude of health problems including
cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, depression, respiratory
problems and joint /skeletal disorders. Knowing how to recognize the
signs of obesity and take corrective action is important. But more
important is knowing how to keep your dog in good condition
to start, thus avoiding the onset of obesity in the first place.
Defining The Problem: Overweight Dogs
There is a nine
point system that most veterinarians adhere to when evaluating the size
of a pet, 1 being extremely thin and 9 being tremendously obese. The
ideal is a score of five.
In order to
determine this measurement, several factors come into play. One, the
contour of a dog's ribs should be easy to feel. Ribs that are visible to
the eye specify that the animal is too thin, and ribs that cannot be
felt through the fat indicate the animal is over-weight. A rough scale
you can use follows:
| 1. Emaciated:
Dogs with ribs, hips, and other bones protrude and are visible
from a distance. Emaciated dogs show a loss of muscle as well as
an absence of body fat.
2. Very thin: A
step up from emaciated; bones are visible but not as prominent and
muscle loss is slight.
3. Thin: Ribs and
top of spine may be visible and the pelvic bones prominent. (Some
breeds are naturally thin, so don't be fooled at the bony
appearance of Salukis, Afghan Hounds and other sighthounds.) Waist
and tuck-up are evident.
4. Underweight:
Some fat on the ribs; visible waist and abdominal tuck-up.
5. Ideal: Ribs are
easily felt and have a thin layer of fat. Waist and tuck-up are
obvious but not exaggerated.
6. Overweight:
Ribs have noticeable fat; waist and tuck-up are discernible but
not prominent.
7. Heavy: Ribs are
covered with a heavy layer of fat and noticeable fat deposits
appear on the spine and
at the base of the tail. Waist is absent or barely discernible.
8. Obese: A heavy
fat layer completely obscures ribs and heavy fat deposits appear
over he spine and around the tail base. Waist and tuck-up
disappear.
9. Morbid: Massive
fat deposits in the chest area, along the spine, and around the
tail base. No waist or tuck-up. Abdomen protrudes, and fat
deposits accrue on legs and neck. |
You can use this
assessment on other parts of the body as well, like the tail. Where the
tale joins to the body, there should be a slight layer of fat that keeps
the bones from protruding but still allows them to be detected by touch.
The same goes for several other places such as the shoulders, hips, and
spine. All of these inspections are rated on the 9 point scale and
recorded for later calculation. Remember that a score of five is ideal.
The second step
of weight evaluation is to observe the size of the pet. By looking down
from directly above the animal, the contour of a dog's body is easily
viewed. There should be a very clear waist area on dogs producing an
hourglass figure for a rating of 5.
Another
observation should be taken from the side angle. Dogs have what is known
as an abdominal tuck, behind the rib cage where the
abdomen is smaller than the rib cage. This
observation can be quite confusing due to the fact that different breeds
naturally have different size abdominal tucks. Greyhounds are an example
of a breed that has an unusually large rib cage and an extremely small
lower abdomen. It is important to be breed specific when coming up with
score for this observation.
Once the
measurements have been taken, an average of the numbers recorded will
provide a ballpark calculation of the pet's weight evaluation. If the
number is over seven, then there is a good chance the animal is at a
health risk for obesity.
If you believe
your dog to be overweight, you should first visit a veterinarian to
conclude whether the animal has any other health complications, and if
it is safe, a weight reduction plan can begin. A local vet can also help
decide on what sort of diet or exercise program will work best for a
particular dog. By keeping a close eye on the size of your pet, you can
prevent their weight from becoming out of control and may likely save
their life.
Causes for Canine Obesity
Weight gain occurs when the amount of
calories consumed exceeds the amount of calories expended on a daily
basis. Weight gain may be slow and gradual or occur rapidly depending on
caloric intake versus expenditure. The causes of obesity generally fall
into three categories: overfeeding, genetic
predisposition and hormonal disorders.
Overfeeding
The most common cause of obesity in dogs is overfeeding coupled with
inactivity. The strong human-animal bond can lead to overfeeding and
snacking. It’s hard to resist those cute sad eyes, and many of us give
in to the temptation to sneak our dogs a taste of whatever we’re eating.
Feeding leftovers or giving frequent snacks or treats often leads to an
overweight dog. Finally, the fact that our dogs lead a more confined,
sedentary lifestyle contributes to the obesity problem.
Genetic
Predisposition
Certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to obesity than others
including beagles, basset hounds, dachshunds and Labrador retrievers.
While some breeds of dog may gain weight more easily, it does not mean
an animal must become overweight. Maintaining a healthy body weight
requires more careful attention to the amount of food and exercise your
dog receives.
Hormonal
Disorders
Diseases which impact hormone balances in dogs may contribute to the
development of obesity. These include thyroid or pituitary gland
dysfunction.
Castration and spaying also alter the hormonal balance of dogs,
sometimes causing reduced activity and changes in metabolism. These
factors can contribute to obesity and increase the need for carefully
controlling food intake and increasing exercise in neutered dogs.
Dog Weight Control Guidelines
As they saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”!
Preventing excess weight gain is the best approach to weight control in
dogs (and humans). It is much more difficult to take the weight off once
it has been gained. If you think your dog is at risk of becoming
overweight or if he is already carrying a few extra pounds review the
following guidelines for helpful tips:
1. Avoid feeding table scraps and treats. These are often high in fat
and calories which contributes weight gain.
2. If you use treats to train your dog, consider using low calorie dog
treats.
3. Reduce the size of your dog’s meals, especially if you train with
treats. In fact, it is best to measure the amount of food your give your
dog at each serving for consistency.
4. Increase the amount of exercise your dog receives. This can simply
mean an extra walk or 10 minutes additional playtime. It will do you
both good!
5. Consult your vet before beginning any
weight reduction program.
6. Keep in mind that most dogs will need to be kept on a weight reducing
program for 8 – 10 months to achieve reach goal weight.
To keep your dog at his ideal body weight or to help your pooch shed a
few extra pounds be sure to feed a high quality natural dog food diet,
use portion control, limit the amount of treats and snacking and provide
lots of exercise. These steps will help your dog live a longer, leaner
and more enjoyable life.
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