Dog Obesity: How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Obesity is defined as being overweight by 15 to 20 percent of an ideal body weight. Up to 44 percent of the pet population in North America is obese, making this condition the most common nutritional disorder among dogs.

In humans, published charts may be helpful in determining the ideal weight for a specific body size. Since our pets vary dramatically in body size and shape, charts are not as useful. Instead, we visually grade pets using a Body Condition Score (BCS).

The BCS is a somewhat subjective rating used to standardize the level of an animal’s weight. Pets are scored from 1 to 9 out of 9, with 5/9 being an ideal body weight.

For example, a very thin dog (1/9) would have visible ribs, spine and hip bones. A very obese dog (9/9) would have a layer of fat over his/her ribs, fat deposits in front of the hips and near the neck and a distended abdomen. A dog at an ideal body weight (5/9) would have ribs that are easily felt without pushing through a layer of fat, an abdomen that is tucked up when viewed from the side and a visible last rib.

Pets become overweight when they consume more calories than they use. These excess calories are stored in the body as fat. The number of fat cells a dog has is determined when he/she is a puppy. Each individual cell can become larger or smaller, depending upon the amount of fat that is stored within the cell. Once fat cells are formed, they are permanent. For this reason, dogs that become overweight as puppies have more trouble maintaining or losing weight and are more likely to be obese in adulthood. Thus, it is very important to prevent obesity at an early age.

The most common medical cause for obesity in dogs is hypothyroidism. A full blood panel with a thyroid level and other confirmatory tests are required to diagnose this disorder. If an overweight dog with hypothyroidism is not treated for the disorder, it will make losing weight very difficult and predispose him/her to other hypothyroidism-related illnesses.

There are a variety of non-medical factors that have been shown to predispose animals to obesity. These include early-onset obesity, old age, overweight owners, a sedentary lifestyle (especially common for indoor dogs), competition for food and a free-fed diet (as opposed to meal-fed). Females are typically more prone to obesity than males and genetics can also be a factor, especially for Labrador retrievers, beagles, dachshunds and shelties.

Overweight pets are at risk for a variety of health problems, including skin infections, high blood pressure, heart disease, immune suppression, diabetes mellitus, orthopedic and arthritic disorders and some forms of cancer. Increased surgical and anesthetic risk may also occur. 

Weight loss will help improve the quality of your pet’s life for multiple reasons. It can decrease the stress on joints (especially important for pets with arthritis), help facilitate examination and surgical procedures, improve cardiovascular function, enhance athleticism and reduce or eliminate the need for certain medications required to manage medical disorders. In addition, a recent study has shown that dogs maintained at their ideal body weight for life lived almost two years longer than moderately obese dogs. Plus, they will feel much better!

In order for a pet to lose weight, any underlying medical conditions must be treated or ruled out. If there are no underlying problems, then the key to losing weight goes back to the basics, meaning your dog must utilize more calories than he/she consumes. When trying to lose weight, the goal is to lose fat while retaining lean muscle mass.

A safe, effective weight-loss program involves three components:

You must take an active role in exercising your pet if you want him/her to lose weight. If your dog is not used to activity, you will need to gradually increase the amount of exercise he/she receives. Begin exercising for 10 minutes multiple times per week and increase the activity until you reach at least 30 minutes daily. Exercising your dog for at least 15 minutes twice daily will help him/her expend energy, increase his/her metabolic rate and retain lean body mass.

Exercising dogs may consist of a brisk walk, playing ball, swimming or a number of other activities. 

All meals and treats should be fed only in your dog’s bowl. This will help prevent overfeeding since it requires more effort from you and your family. You should also separate your dog from the kitchen or other areas where food is prepared or eaten to eliminate the temptation to give “people food.” Separating the dog from other household animals while feeding can reduce competitive eating and food sharing as well. Ideally, your dog should eat two or more small meals throughout the day to reduce hunger and begging.

Cutting down on snacks and/or treats is the first step to reducing energy intake. When your dog begs, you should respond by petting, exercising or playing. If you do feed treats, be sure to use them sparingly. When treats are used, reduce your dog's regular meals to compensate for the extra calories. Only low-calorie treats or healthy alternatives such as fruits or vegetables (no grapes or raisins) should be given.When beginning a weight loss program, your dog's diet should be very consistent.

The amount of food you should feed will vary greatly depending upon the caloric density of the specific food that you are feeding. The number of calories your dog utilizes is based on the daily energy requirement for your pet and the amount of exercise he/she receives. It will be very important that you use a measuring cup to accurately determine the portions you feed. 

While most diet foods are based on similar principals (less fat, fewer calories and more fiber), not all foods are created equal. There is a wide range of caloric restriction between diet dog foods. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a specific diet that will best fit your pet’s dietary requirements. This choice may vary based on other concurrent medical issues affecting your dog. 

It is important to remember that while a low-calorie diet will help your pet maintain a healthy weight, it will not help him/her lose weight initially. Caloric intake, as discussed above, is a critical component to effective weight loss.

This is a common issue, especially at the start of a weight-loss program. In order to lose weight, it is necessary to feed fewer calories than your dog needs to maintain his/her current weight. As a result, your dog will likely feel hungry. However, it is important to resist the temptation to feed more food or treats.

You can try to reduce this problem by feeding your dog multiple small meals per day. This method will also help to increase your pet’s metabolic rate. Restricted-Calorie Formulas are designed to help dogs lose weight without making them feel deprived of food. These diets are low in calories and fat but maintain high-quality proteins and normal fiber levels that will help your dog to feel "full."

The exact time it will take your pet to lose weight will depend on how much weight your dog has to lose and how much exercise he/she receives. As a guideline, dogs can safely lose 2 to 4 percent of their body weight per week until they are at their desired weight. During the diet period, your dog’s weight should be checked every two to four weeks. You may come by the hospital to have your pet weighed during this time.

Since obesity creates a predisposition for gaining weight, your dog will likely need to be kept on a diet food to maintain his/her ideal body weight. When appropriate, a change in the diet itself or the daily amount may be recommended. It is very important to feed your pet the correct amount of food to maintain his/her ideal body weight. 

Do you have questions or concerns about your dog's weight or diet? Contact us!