What to Do If Your Dog Is Overweight or Obese

Obesity in dogs is a serious problem that is becoming more of a concern than ever before. Up to 60% of the dog and cat population are considered overweight or obese. Overfeeding is one of the leading factors contributing to dog obesity. Overfeeding occurs when the dog is taking in more energy than it is burning. Dogs that are 10-20% above their ideal body weight are classified as overweight, and those who are higher than 20% are considered obese. Here are a few tips and tricks you should know if your dog is overweight or obese.

What are the health risks associated with obesity in dogs?

Overweight or obese dogs are at a greater risk for a variety of health conditions including the diminished overall quality of life of our canine friends. Here are the most common ones:

• Dogs who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop diabetes, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer.
• The sheer weight of the animal causes more stress on the joints and may contribute to osteoarthritis and limited mobility.
• Physical examinations by veterinarians are impacted due to excessive body mass, and may render procedures such as blood drawing, ultrasounds, and physical palpation more difficult. Dogs that are overweight or obese are also more likely to have adverse reactions to anesthetic.

Are some dogs predisposed to obesity?

Though most cases of obesity are a result of overfeeding and a sedentary lifestyle, there are some endogenous factors that can predispose an animal to weight gain or obesity. It is important to recognize if your animal has a genetic predisposition and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.

• Your dog may be more at risk of becoming obese based on their age. As an animal ages, their basal metabolic rate decreases along with their daily energy needs. This means that your dog’s metabolism slows down (as does their activity level in most cases) and their food intake must decrease accordingly to maintain an energy balance.

• Caloric intake should decrease after sterilization of companion animals. The age at which dogs are neutered typically corresponds to the natural decrease in growth and energy requirements. If pet owners continue to feed the same amount, their pet will gain weight. Because dogs and cats are often spayed or neutered just before maturity, the change in reproductive status is often blamed for weight gain, but the reason is usually a change in energy requirements due to age. That being said, there is a hormonal component that will affect food intake. Sterilized females tend to consume more, as they do not experience estrus, during which the animal will naturally consume less. The basal metabolic rate of sterilized animals also tends to be lower. This lower metabolic rate along with overconsumption will lead to an energy surplus and a weight gain.

• Certain breeds are predisposed to weight gain as well. Studies suggest that Labrador Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Springer Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Basset Hounds and Pugs are most likely to be overweight or obese.

• Food intake can be affected by many factors as well. A highly palatable diet and social settings will both encourage dogs to eat more regardless of their hunger level.

How can I ensure my dog maintains a healthy weight?

Regular vet visits and consulting a body condition score chart is a great way to ensure your pet is at their ideal weight.

To help your dog lose weight, it is recommended to feed according to your dog’s target ideal weight rather than their current weight. It is also highly recommended to use a small kitchen scale to measure the food in grams, as this allows for a better accuracy of calorie control as opposed to rough volumetric measurements like cups.

Exercise is extremely important in ensuring your dog maintains a healthy weight. Some examples of ways to get your dog to exercise is to bring them on daily walks, hikes, or other activities such as swimming in a clean lake or pool or going to a park to play with other dogs. For indoor exercise, you may want to purchase toys that your dog enjoys playing with such as a ball, a tug or an interactive toy or feeder. An interactive feeder such as a Kong or a puzzle will stimulate your dog’s natural foraging instincts and make them work for their food. Dogs who are fed through interactive feeders are less likely to eat out of boredom and tend to eat only when they are hungry. All these options are recommended for mental stimulation as well!

If your dog is currently overweight or obese, you may want to consider switching them to a weight management formula so that they can lose weight and maintain it. Weight management formulas, such as our Care Weight Management formula, are specifically formulated to help limit weight gain and curb their appetite.

To summarize, portion control is key in helping an animal lose weight. Increasing your dog’s activity level and feeding a diet specifically formulated for weight loss is a good place to start.

How Does Nutrience Care Weight Management Work?

Our Nutrience Care Weight Management formula is specifically formulated with low fat to limit weight gain, high fiber to curb their appetite, and L-carnitine, an important molecule needed to burn fat for energy. While dogs can make this molecule themselves for regular maintenance, supplementing it in the diet ensures an adequate supply is available to burn excess fat during times of weight loss. L-carnitine works by transporting fatty acids into the mitochondria of the cell to make them more available to burn during energy expenditure.

To reduce the fat contents of a formula while keeping the volume of food the same, fat must be replaced by another macronutrient. Replacing fat with fiber is a great choice! Why? Because fiber not only has zero calories but has digestive benefits and keeps dogs satiated for longer. Our Weight Management formula is also made using a triple blend of sustainable sources of fiber, such as sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber and miscanthus grass. Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water and provides bulk to the diet, keeping your dog full for longer.

Compared to a high protein diet, averaging 473 kcal/cup, our Nutrience Care Weight Management diet contains 38% less fat and 17.9% less calories to help your dog lose and maintain a healthy weight, improving their overall quality of life.

Moreover, along with the Digestiboost cubes, this food contains botanicals such as ginger, licorice root, and peppermint for their gut-soothing properties. Turmeric is added as well, a spice well known for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Like all Nutrience formulas, Omega-3s are added to this food in the form of salmon oil and coconut oil, to maintain a healthy skin and coat.

References:

• Freeman, Lisa et al. “WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines”. Journal Of Small Animal Practice, vol 52, no. 7, 2011, pp. 385-396. Wiley, doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01079.x. Accessed 13 Nov 2020.
• Sapowicz, Stephanie A. et al. “Body Condition Scores And Evaluation Of Feeding Habits Of Dogs And Cats At A Low Cost Veterinary Clinic And A General Practice”. The Scientific World Journal, vol 2016, 2016, pp. 1-7. Hindawi Limited, doi:10.1155/2016/1901679.
• Case et al. Canine And Feline Nutrition. 3rd ed., Mosby, 2011, pp. 313-336.