Is Your Dog Tipping the Scales?

Tell the truth.  You love your dog.  As annoying as some of her behaviors can be, you’d miss the greeting you get every time you return home, the adoring looks she gives you, the settling by your side as you sit to read the paper.  For many people, dogs are their family and their best friends.  Dogs are nonjudgmental companions who we sometimes require to act like anything but a dog.  In fact, they are often expected to act as human children.  So is it any wonder that in a society which currently faces an epidemic of overweight children (some estimate as many as 1 in 3), perhaps 25 to 40 percent of dogs are also overweight?

In their book Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, & Evolution, Ray and Lorna Coppinger theorize that early dogs were scavengers, seeking out humans and their scraps as a source for an easy meal (leading to their claim that dogs domesticated themselves rather than the previous theory of cavemen taking wolf pups from the den and domesticating them).  Perhaps things haven’t changed much over time.  How many times have you been munching on a snack, looked down to see the “I’m starving” look on Rover’s face, then tossed him a bite of your food?  Problem is, over time, the calories from those treats add up.

Why worry about your dog’s (or cat’s) weight?  Not surprisingly, overweight dogs may suffer from many of the same diseases that can affect overweight humans: diabetes, heart and respiratory overload, inability to tolerate heat, liver problems, and arthritis/joint pain. Most of these problems can be fatal to your dog, shortening his lifespan and your precious time with him. 

How can you tell if your dog is overweight?  Online, you can check the website: http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm .   Since all dogs are different, please keep in mind any special conditions regarding your dog when making choices concerning his ideal body type. Canine athletes may need to be slightly leaner, older dogs may be slightly heavier than ideal. If you’ve checked the chart (or maybe you already knew) and your dog is overweight, where do you start?  Just as for humans, if the obesity is not caused by medical conditions such as hypothyroidism or Cushings disease, the answer is diet and exercise.  Less intake, more output - it’s a simple answer no one wants to hear.

Start with diet.  I have written a previous column on types of diets, so I will simply state that there should be portion control for your pets.  Research your breed and get professional recommendations on how much food your dog should get each day rather than following package recommendations.  Get a high quality kibble or can food (www.dogfoodanalysis.com provides some suggestions as does Whole Dog Journal) or investigate raw feeding (www.usrmb.net is a great resource).  Free feeding ( leaving food down for the dog all day)  is not suggested for most dogs. Remember, dog treats have calories as well and those must be included in calorie count.  Investigate making your own low calorie treats or use fresh green beans, baby carrots, or apple slices as rewards.   When I see my pups adding weight, I reduce the amount of kibble I feed each meal and add a little plain canned pumpkin, 1 to 2 tablespoons, so they will still feel full.  The pumpkin also adds fiber and has the added benefit of vitamins. 

The “E” word – Exercise.  I count eight letters which means it’s really not a four letter word.  Exercise is essential for a healthy, well-behaved dog.  Walking is the most often recommended form of exercise, either several long, exhausting daily walks for healthy dogs or more frequent short walks for dogs who are obese or health-impaired.  How about taking a hike?  The weather is perfect for a trek in a dog-friendly park and, if there is a body of water nearby, your dog can get in some swimming as well.  As winter creeps in, exercise indoors by throwing the tennis ball down the hall.  Hide a toy under the dog bed and encourage your dog to get it.  Teach your dog some tricks – roll over, play dead, weave between your legs, put his toys in his basket – the possibilities are unlimited. If your dog knows basic behaviors such as sit, come, and down, work on making the dog respond faster.  Check out Karen Pryor’s “101 Things To Do With A Box” at http://www.clickertraining.com/node/167 .

For more information on overweight dogs, please read the excellent article by Dr. Christine Zink, Corpulent Canines, at http://www.caninesports.com/fatdogs.html.  Help your dog live a long, healthy, happy life.  Feed her appropriately and exercise her regularly.  Your dog will love you for it!

Jan Casey is a reward-based trainer and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services.  You can reach her through her website www.smilesandwags.com .