What is Canine Obesity?
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Obesity in dogs is defined as an excess of white adipose tissue, which is usually the result of energy intake exceeding energy consumption.
While the science has not made clear the exact extent or proven direct causation, canine obesity is at best associated with a number of comorbidities including but not limited to: lower life expectancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, an increased risk of hyperthermia, and an elevated risk of cancer.
Outside of veterinary comorbidities, canine obesity also has more direct and proven effects on our pets, including decreased agility, undue stress on the organs and joints, difficulty breathing (especially for brachycephalic or “flat-faced” dogs) and in severe cases difficulty grooming and decreased mobility.
Through comorbidity and immediate effect, obesity in pets increases veterinary costs and reduces the quality of life. One out of every three veterinary patients is considered overweight.
Luckily, canine obesity is fairly straightforward to manage, largely preventable in most cases, and very reversible. Slight changes in diet and lifestyle, exercise, and awareness are recommended, and if strictly adhered to, they show rapidly visible results.
A variety of factors can contribute to dog obesity, including:
Environmental Factors
- Overfeeding – Feeding more than the pet can burn off through exercise. Table scraps, high-fat foods, the number of meals, the number of treats, and frequent dietary variation are all contributing dietary factors.
- Lack of exercise – Obesity is more prevalent in indoor-only pets.
- Misperception about the canine body condition – The owner does not recognize the presence of obesity.
Physiological Factors
- Age – Dogs over the age of five reduce voluntary activity and burn fewer calories per day.
- Genetic predisposition – Some breeds, such as terriers, spaniels, dachshunds, beagles, and Labrador retrievers, are genetically more predisposed to obesity
- Surgery – Some surgical procedures for example neutering or spaying causes a decrease in the production of sex hormones, which reduces energy expenditure and can cause satiety changes (increased hunger).
- Medications – There are certain medicines that increase the chances of obesity. Drugs like
- Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant) can cause satiety to decrease, resulting in overeating.
- Glucocorticoids can cause abnormal fat accumulation in the body and weight gain.
- Diseases – Certain diseases such as Hypothyroidism (decrease in the level of thyroid hormone), Insulinoma (a tumor in the pancreas), and Hyperadrenocorticism ( more production of cortisol hormone in the body ) can contribute to weight gain.
How to Tell If Your Dog is Obese or Not
Do you want to know how to tell if your dog is fat or overweight and could benefit from weight loss efforts? Continue reading to learn about the signs you can look for to determine whether or not your dog is overweight.
After that, you can consult your vet and take steps accordingly to get your pup in shape so that he or she can stay healthy and happy for years to come.
Check Your Dog’s Body Shape
Examining the body shape of your dog is one of the simplest ways to determine if he or she is overweight or not. If your dog appears round and oval-shaped when viewed from above, he or she is probably overweight.
If, on the other hand, you notice that your dog has a well-defined waist toward the back and a straight build down the sides, they’re likely to be at a healthy weight.
Feel For Your Dog’s Ribs
The feel and prominence of your dog’s ribs are significant indicators of weight problems. Most veterinarians recommend that “If your dog’s ribs aren’t excessively prominent and you can easily feel them without pressing too hard,” then your canine friend is fit. It’s difficult to feel the ribs of overweight dogs because there is an excessive amount of fat tissue in the way.
Look At Your Dog From The Side
Another important sign of a fat dog is a sagging waist or a swinging stomach. When observing your dog from the side, look for a slightly raised waist. An oval-shaped and hanging down waist is an indication of obesity. It is recommended by experts that the belly of a dog should be tucked up and should not be at the level of chest. This is referred to as an “abdominal tuck.”
Check Your Dog For Fat Pads
Excess fat on the body of your dog is also a sign that he is overweight. A few dogs have fat sacks between their legs that waddle when they walk. During petting sessions, experts also recommend examining your dog’s hips. Fat pads on the top of their hips will be present in overweight dogs.
Examine Your Dog’s Behavior
Overweight and obese dogs are generally inactive and often spend too much time eating or obsess over their food. If you notice that your dog has become a couch potato, has difficulty walking, has difficulty breathing while walking, and appears to have difficulty moving around in general, they may be overweight.
Furthermore, allowing your dog to eat whenever he wants can lead to obesity. At Lugaru K9 Training, we always advise our clients to avoid free-feeding dogs, and instead measure out appropriate meals. We’re especially fans of hand-feeding, as it encourages a healthy relationship with food and aids in the training process.
Weigh Your Dog
A weigh-in and routing physical check-up with your veterinarian is the best way to determine whether your dog is overweight or obese. After weight-in, your vet will likely perform many of the aforementioned tests with a professional eye, and then be able to tell you whether your dog is overweight based on their size and breed.
Keep in mind that a healthy weight will vary depending on the breed and individual. Most sighthounds, for example, should have visible ribs and will have a very noticeable abdominal tuck at their ideal weight. Burlier breeds like Rottweilers and Mastiffs and long-coated dogs like Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs may need more inspection to identify if they are physically fit.
Conclusion
As a dog owner, it’s important to educate ourselves on the ideal size and body composition for our pets, and to know the difference between a healthy and obese dog. Being able to recognize that your dog is gaining weight or is already overweight is an important part of pet care and in helping our dogs stay fit.
One tool we are quite fond of at Lugaru K9 Training is the FitBark, which is a fitness tracker for dogs that helps dog owners keep track of their dogs’ physical activity, caloric needs, and make adjustments as needed. You can find the FitBark at this link for only $69.95, and read our detailed review of the GPS-tracking version in my article, Fitbark GPS Review: The Fitness Tracker for Dogs.
Know that even with great tools like the FitBark activity tracker, it is important to always keep a close eye on your dog’s body and look for the parameters mentioned above. Because once you recognize that your dog is obese or gaining weight, you can consult your veterinarian to get a weight management plan that is best for your dog according to their breed, size, and age.
