Adipositas bei The Dog

What is obesity in dogs?

Obesity can be defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat that contributes to the disease. Dogs that weigh at least 10% above their ideal body weight are considered overweight, while dogs that weigh 20% more than ideal are considered obese. Being overweight can contribute to many diseases.

What are the risks associated with obesity in dogs?

Up to 65% of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Obesity can contribute to many conditions in dogs, including:

• osteoarthritis

• pancreatitis

• kidney disease

• respiratory tract impairment

• Decreased physical activity and heat tolerance

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

• Abnormal response to insulin

• Increased risk of anesthesia

• Decreased quality of life

Symptoms of obesity in dogs

Signs of obesity include:

• weight gain

• Less energy than usual

• Decreased exercise tolerance

• A collar or strap that looks tighter than it used to be

• Not being able to feel the ribs or seeing a “waist” (a small indentation in the stomach just in front of the hind legs)

Causes of Obesity in Dogs

The most obvious cause of obesity in dogs is overeating, which may include the dog’s normal wet or dry food, dog treats, and “blackboard waste” or human food. Inadequate exercise can also cause your dog to become overweight. There are a few conditions that cause obesity, including hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, also known as Cushing’s disease.

In addition, certain dog breeds may be predisposed to obesity, including:

• Golden Retriever

• Labrador Retriever

• Cockerspaniel

• Dackel

• Beagle

• Boxer

• Mops

Is my dog overweight?

If you suspect that your dog is overweight, schedule a weight check and a checkup with your vet. If your dog’s ribs are too heavily padded or you can’t see a slight congestion right in front of the hind legs, there is a good chance that your dog is overweight.

How vets diagnose obesity in dogs

Your vet can determine your dog’s weight and look for trends over time that suggest weight gain or loss. A measurement known as body condition scoring can also be performed.

The two most commonly used body condition values are a five-point scale (where three is considered ideal) and a nine-point scale (where four to five are considered ideal). Your dog should have an hourglass shape when viewed from above when he is at his ideal body weight.

Your vet may also do some laboratory tests to look for underlying conditions that could contribute to weight gain, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. If the weight gain is very sudden, your vet may also recommend X-rays to check for fluid or masses in the abdomen.

Treatment of obesity in dogs

The basic components of treating obesity include exercise and dietary changes. Depending on the severity of the obesity and current fitness level, your dog’s daily exercise may need to be gradually increased. In general, most dogs can easily exercise 15-30 minutes a day at the start. The duration and intensity can be slowly increased as your dog loses weight and gets fitter. A simple walk is doable for most families, but exercise can also include playing fetch indoors or outdoors, swimming, and running. If your dog is older, you may need to complete shorter training sessions.

Dietary changes should be made under the guidance of your dog’s veterinary team. Reducing or eliminating extras such as treats and table waste is helpful, and a change in the type and/or quantity of food is often required. There are many weight loss diets out there, and some require a prescription from your vet.

A good goal is to lose 1-2% of body weight per week, which ideally reduces body fat reserves while maintaining muscle tissue. While most dog foods provide recommendations on how much to feed, these are just guidelines and individual dogs may need more or less than recommended to maintain ideal body condition. Dieting with meals (rather than free choice) is often helpful to control calorie intake. It is also important to use a measuring cup to ensure a consistent supply of the right amount of food.

Instead of completely avoiding treats, you can switch to baby carrots, frozen green beans, squash, or lower-calorie dog treats if your vet agrees that these are good options for your dog.

Medication to treat obesity isn’t usually necessary unless your dog has hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. In this case, regular examinations and laboratory tests will help determine the appropriate type and dose of medication.

Recovery and treatment of obesity in dogs

Once your dog has reached its ideal weight, your vet may recommend switching to a maintenance diet. It’s important to continue to exercise regularly and limit extra treats and snacks.

Of course, it would be ideal to prevent obesity before it even happens. This can be achieved by eating two or three times a day instead of always having food available, avoiding unnecessary treats, and making sure your dog exercises regularly. Exercise isn’t just good for your dog — it’s also good for humans and offers physical and emotional benefits for everyone involved.

While it takes effort to prevent or correct obesity, the benefits of living longer, healthier lives are worth it for you and your dog

references

1. Tilley L, Smith F, Sleeper M, Brainard B. Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consultation: dogs and cats. Wiley Blackwell. Seventh edition; 2021

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