Practical strategies for managing your dog's weight

Obesity in dogs is defined as having excessive body fat that impairs health or normal bodily functions . It's more than just being overweight; it means your dog's body is carrying a detrimental amount of adipose tissue that can have far-reaching negative effects on overall health.

The Body Condition Score provides a visual and tactile assessment of your dog's fat reserves using a 9-point scale. An ideal BCS is generally 4 or 5 out of 9. Your dog at this weight should have visible but not prominent ribs that are easily felt with a slight covering of fat, a noticeable waist when viewed from above, and an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side.

For every unit above this ideal, it generally corresponds to 10-15% excess in body weight. I encourage you to learn how to assess your dog's BCS and discuss your findings with your veterinarian.

Obesity isn't just a cosmetic issue; it puts tremendous strain on your dog's body and increases risk for numerous health problems.

Excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance , making it difficult for your dog to regulate blood sugar, potentially resulting in diabetes mellitus. Obese dogs are also prone to high blood pressure and other heart-related issues.

Research indicates obesity can lead to concerning changes in heart structure, such as increased left ventricular wall thickness.

Extra weight puts excessive stress on your dog's joints , accelerating wear and increasing arthritis risk. This often leads to reduced mobility and pain that can significantly affect your pet's quality of life.

Studies have also shown a clear link between being overweight and a shorter median lifespan . Additionally, obese animals face higher risks during anesthesia and surgical procedures, complicating even routine veterinary care.

Fat tissue isn't merely passive storage; it actively produces hormones and inflammatory substances called adipokines. In your obese dog, imbalanced adipokines contribute to chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body, affecting multiple organ systems and overall health.

Weight gain occurs when your dog regularly consumes more calories than they burn , with excess energy stored as fat.

Diet plays a crucial role in your dog's weight management. Many owners unknowingly feed their dogs more than needed through regular overfeeding. Calorie-dense foods, especially high-fat diets, can contribute significantly to weight gain even when portion sizes seem reasonable.

Additionally, treats and table scraps add extra calories that quickly accumulate without you fully realizing their impact.

A sedentary lifestyle means fewer calories burned, making it easier for excess energy to be stored as fat in your dog's body. Modern pet lifestyles often include less activity than dogs naturally require, especially in urban environments or households where everyone works long hours.

Several other factors can influence weight gain in your dog. Neutered dogs often have reduced metabolic energy requirements and sometimes increased appetite, requiring dietary adjustments after the procedure.

Breed predisposition is significant, as some breeds are naturally more prone to weight gain than others. Additionally, certain underlying medical conditions can sometimes contribute to weight gain or fluid retention, highlighting the importance of thorough veterinary assessment.

Before starting any weight loss program, a veterinary visit is essential to:

• Rule out underlying medical conditions

• Assess overall health and obesity-related issues

• Calculate ideal weight based on your dog's breed, age, and body condition

• Determine specific calorie needs

• Recommend appropriate therapeutic diet

Diet is the most critical factor in achieving weight loss for your dog. The goal is creating a negative energy balance. Purpose-formulated weight loss diets are often:

• Lower in calories to facilitate weight loss

• Nutritionally balanced to ensure all essential nutrients despite reduced calories

• Higher in protein to promote satiety and maintain lean muscle

• Higher in fiber to increase feeling of fullness

Accurately measuring your dog's food portions and establishing regular meal times is crucial for successful weight management.

Exercise complements dietary changes by increasing calorie burn while improving your dog's cardiovascular health and maintaining muscle mass. Encourage regular activities such as:

• Regular walks with gradually increasing duration and intensity

• Play sessions like fetch or tug-of-war

• Swimming as a low-impact option gentle on joints

Tailor exercise to your dog's breed, age, and physical limitations to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Regularly monitoring your dog's progress is essential to ensure the weight loss plan is working and to make necessary adjustments. This includes scheduled weigh-ins at home and during veterinary check-ups to track numerical changes.

Ongoing Body Condition Score assessments provide visual and tactile evaluation of fat loss that sometimes reveals improvements before they show on the scale. Consider keeping a food and activity diary to identify improvement areas or potential issues.

In some clinical cases, veterinarians might recommend advanced methods like DEXA scans to objectively assess changes in your dog's body composition, measuring fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral content.

Weight loss journeys rarely proceed without obstacles. Treat management requires limiting treats significantly and choosing low-calorie options like small vegetable pieces or allocating a portion of your dog's daily kibble as "treats."

Your compliance and consistency are crucial; maintaining the plan requires commitment from everyone in your household, with patience and celebration of small successes. Begging behavior can be challenging to address—ignore your dog's begging and offer attention or toys instead of food, ensuring all family members follow the same rules.

Long-term maintenance is equally important; once your dog reaches target weight, transition to a maintenance diet as recommended by your veterinarian and continue monitoring to prevent weight regain.

In some cases, your veterinarian might recommend FDA-approved medications like mitratapide or dirlotapide to reduce your dog's appetite. These prescription medications are used alongside diet and exercise, not as standalone solutions.

Helping your dog achieve healthy weight brings significant benefits:

• Improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control

• Reduced inflammation throughout the body

• Decreased cardiovascular disease risk

• Less joint stress and increased mobility

• Potential for longer, more active life

• Overall improved quality of life and well-being

When restricting your dog's calories, nutritional balance remains essential . Studies have monitored nutrient levels in obese dogs undergoing caloric restriction on properly formulated weight loss diets.

Most measured nutrients remained stable, though some changes in plasma choline, threonine, glycine, and urinary selenium were observed. This highlights the importance of feeding veterinarian-recommended diets specifically formulated for weight loss rather than simply reducing portions of regular food.

Addressing your dog's obesity is one of the most impactful things you can do for their health . Your veterinarian is your most valuable partner in this journey.

By understanding risks, identifying causes, and implementing a comprehensive weight management plan including veterinary guidance, appropriate diet, regular exercise, and consistent monitoring, you can help your furry friend shed extra pounds and enjoy a healthier, more active life.

Schedule a consultation with your veterinarian today to discuss your dog's weight and take the first step toward a brighter future for your beloved companion.