How to maintain your dog's healthy weight
A healthy weight for your dog means better quality of life and reduced risk of serious conditions associated with obesity. Here are some ways you can feel confident you're helping them stay fit and well.
Whether your dog has recently lost weight, gained weight or you're looking to make sure it stays as fit as possible, it's important to feel confident that you're doing the right things to keep their weight healthy and stable.
It can be difficult to resist your dog if they beg or whine, and many owners find themselves using treats as a way to manage behaviour. However, if you want to make sure your dog stays healthy, it's crucial you maintain good practices in the home – and you encourage all other members of your family to do the same.
What is a healthy weight for a dog?
The best way to find out the healthiest weight for your dog is to visit your veterinarian. They'll be able to tell you the most appropriate weight for your dog according to their breed, gender, age and other factors. Often, a healthy weight is identified as the weight your dog was before they became obese – but this can be hard to define, particularly if your dog has been overweight for a long time or since they were a puppy.
Some specific factors could make your dog predisposed to weight gain, and therefore maintaining a healthy weight is even more important. There are several breeds that are more likely to gain weight than others, including Beagles, Pugs, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Scottish Terriers and Saint Bernards. Female dogs are also more likely to gain weight, and if your dog has been neutered they are more likely still; the frequency of obesity in neutered male and female dogs can be twice that of unneutered dogs.
The risks of obesity in dogs
If your dog is overweight or obese, they are at greater risk of a number of serious and life changing conditions:
• Significantly reduced life expectancy
• Cardio and respiratory problems
• Diabetes
• Reduction in immunity and therefore at risk of infections and other illnesses
• Osteoarticular diseases, such as arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Urinary calcium oxalate calculi
Dogs who are obese are also likely to be lethargic, lack motivation and energy, and exhibit poor levels of effort when it comes to exercise, play or activity.
How likely is it that my dog is overweight?
There are certain factors which may make your dog predisposed to gaining weight and becoming obese. For example, some breeds – such as Labrador Retrievers – are more likely to gain weight than others, and in particular very small breeds are at high risk. Female dogs are more likely to gain weight, and the frequency of obesity in dogs increases as they age. Dogs who were obese or overweight as a puppy are also more likely to become an obese adult dog than those who were a lean or healthy weight.If your dog has been neutered, it's twice as likely to gain weight than an unneutered dog due to the hormonal changes incurred by sterilisation. Your dog's lifestyle is also a contributing factor; if they stay indoors a lot, are fed table scraps or haven't been fully socialised as a puppy, they're more likely to have a relationship with food which can lead to weight gain.
How can I tell if my dog is overweight?
The first step to understanding whether your dog is overweight is a preventative one. By weighing them regularly, recording their weight, and attending check-ups with your vet, you'll get a clearer picture of their weight gain or loss over their lifetime.Your vet will be able to tell you your dog's ideal weight, based on its sex, breed and age. If your dog is between 15% and 20% over its ideal weight, it's classified as obese. As an example, a dog whose ideal weight is 50kg would be considered obese if it weighed 60kg.
A simple test you can do at home to work out whether your dog is overweight or obese is to try to feel its ribs through its fur and body tissue. If you can feel its ribs but they're not prominent, your dog is a healthy weight. If it's impossible for you to find and feel its ribs, then your dog is overweight.
How do overweight dogs behave?
You might also recognise your dog is overweight from a change in its behaviour. It might be lethargic and lack energy, including a lack of effort when it comes to playing games or taking physical activity. When you take your dog on walks, it may become breathless very easily or even stop attempting to walk altogether, because it's either in pain or tired. You'll also, naturally, see their physical size increase.Your dog may exhibit particular poor behaviours around food, such as over-eating, begging for scraps, whining for treats or acting aggressively towards you at mealtimes. When establishing a weight loss plan for your dog, your vet will ask how you feed your dog and what you feed it; it's important to answer honestly, as sometimes owners can inadvertently be contributing to their dog's obesity through giving it snacks, too many treats, or leftovers.
Obesity and being overweight is a real and pressing issue among dogs, but it can be treated with the right diet and behaviour. Make sure to attend regular check-ups with your vet to monitor your dog's weight, as well as speaking to them if you notice any of the behaviours which could indicate obesity.
Feeding your dog to maintain its weight
If your dog has recently gained or lost weight, and is now at its recommended size, there are two options for continuing to feed them. You can stay with the same food as used during their weight-loss or weight-gain process, increasing or decreasing the quantities as necessary to maintain their weight, or you can choose a food with a higher energy density and retain the same quantity. It's best to consult a veterinarian before starting this process to make sure any quantities are moderated appropriately. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best course of action, as well as which specific foods are best for your dog.
The energy density and calorific value of their food is an important factor to take into account, and the food should also include high protein content to support muscle mass, with a moderate fat content to help avoid weight gain. Some foods even contain a unique blend of fibre, which helps your dog feel fuller without eating bigger portions.
Sticking to good feeding behaviours with your dog
You should rigorously maintain good eating practices for your dog so they have the best possible chance of maintaining a healthy weight. Feed them in the same place, from the same bowl, at the same time so they become used to specific mealtimes. Don't give them scraps or give in to begging, and swap treats for kibbles taken from their daily allowance. It's also a good idea to weigh them once a month and go for regular check-ups to get professional advice from your veterinarian.
With the right mindset, you will be able to support your dog in maintaining a healthy weight and enjoyable lifestyle. For more ideas on how to help manage your dog's weight, speak to your veterinarian who'll be happy to advise you.
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