Losing Weight Diet For Dogs

Obesity is one of the most common medical conditions in canines: Up to 60 percent of dogs are overweight, and about half of those are obese, which is defined as more than 30 percent above their ideal weight. As in humans, excess body fat in dogs can lead to a host of problems, from joint disease to a predisposition to metabolic disorders to a state of chronic inflammation. Not to mention that obese animals are less energetic than their trim counterparts—andtend to live shorter lives too.

You CAN spoil a dog too much, and that's what we see in many cases of dog obesity, says Dr. Justin Shmalberg, one of Nom Nom's Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists. Dr. Shmalberg considers obesity in dogs akin to preventable malnutrition. Thankfully, while it can be tough to get an overweight dog to lose weight, it's a challenge that's within reach for most owners if they follow simple guidelines. And it's important—dog weight loss has been associated with improvement in the quality of life, increased energy, and a reduction in some of the side effects of excess weight, like disease and chronic inflammation.

The most important thing to remember is, having an overweight dog and doing everything else right (high-quality food, healthy supplements, and so on) is likely more detrimental than having a lean dog—no matter what you feed him. That in mind, we've put together a full guide to doggy weight loss, covering what you need to know to keep your best friend healthy:

Dog Weight Management: Gaining And Losing Pounds Safely

It seems like an overweight or obese dog would be obvious to the owner. But that's not always true.If you notice that your pup is looking a little on the pudgy side, that's usually the first clue. An overweight dog chart, or body condition score (BCS) chart, can help:

On the 9-point scale, a score of 4 to 5 would be ideal for most breeds, while 3 can be normal in sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc.), as they're generally leaner. Dogs with a body condition score of 6 out of 9 are overweight, and 7 to 9+ are considered obese.

One thing to keep in mind is that your vet may not comment on your dog's body condition unless you ask. Some studies suggest that vets can be reluctant to have the conversation with owners, says Shmalberg, as many owners are resistant to this information, or in denial. At checkups, it pays to ask for both an honest assessment and an estimate of your dog's ideal body weight.

How To Put Your Dog On A Diet

Many studies in different regions and countries have attempted to identify the breeds most at risk for becoming obese. Though there were some conflicting results, across all studies, these breeds rose to the top of the list:

Obese and overweight puppies are particularly sensitive to the effects of excess body fat. In fact, multiple studies suggest that overweight puppies are more prone to what vets call developmental orthopedic diseases, which develop during growth and cause issues in the normal structure of the bones and cartilage within joints. Orthopedic diseases could set up a puppy for a lifetime of impaired movement and/or arthritis.

Weight gain in dogs may happen for several reasons from age, lack of exercise to overfeeding. Let's start with an overview of the risk factors for dog obesity:

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2. Breed or genetics: Some breeds have lower energy needs or may be more genetically predisposed to higher weights. Accepted official breed standards may contribute to the obesity epidemic too;a European studyfound that nearly 1 out of 5 show dogs had a BCS over 5.

3. Neutering or spaying: Neutering or spaying can cause weight gain in both males and females. This is most likely related to the influence of sex hormones on appetite, exercise, and perhaps, most important, the loss of lean body mass following the procedure.

4. Overfeeding: Calorie-dense dry foods and commercial treats, in particular, are culprits. Also note, one large daily meal could lead to overfeeding. Go with more frequent meals—and remember that portion control is essential.

Get Your Old Dog To Gain Weight

5. Lack of exercise: It's just as important for dogs to get moving daily as it is for humans. Dogs who get less exercise should eat fewer calories than active dogs.

Even if a dog has risk factors for obesity, it simply means that their metabolism and number of calories are less than other breeds. The prevention and treatment of excess weight comes down to diet. It's on the owners to make sure they're feeding their dog the right amount of calories for her needs.

What most owners think of as regular exercise, like a trip around the block, doesn't really burn a ton of calories. Therefore, adding an extra bit of exercise most likely will not be effective enough to help your dog lose weight or prevent weight gain. Bottom line is that if you feed him excess calories, he's still likely to gain weight.

Essentials For Helping Your Dog Lose Weight

Clearly dogs who exercise less appear predisposed to obesity, and obese and overweight dogs are less active. It's a classic what comes first, the chicken or the egg? situation. Activity monitors have documented that this is true even during the day, when their owners are away. Whether this is cause or effect of obesity is not entirely clear, says Shmalberg. However, some studies have suggested that single dogs—that is, no other dog in the household—are at increased risk. So some social interaction, whether with you or another dog, does likely impact metabolism.

If your dog is gaining or losing a lot of weight without any other changes to his diet or exercise, then it could be a medical condition impacting his weight. Your vet can test for medical conditions that can lead to weight gain such as:

There's some newer research on the horizon too. There's interesting research on the waysobesity might affect how certain genes get expressed. Of course, certain genes may also be a factor predisposing to obesity, Shmalberg says. There's also emerging research on how excess weight may influence the microbiome, or bacteria in the gut, and vice versa. Arecent study showed significant differences in bacterial populationsin obese versus normal dogs.

Your Dog's Diet

An obese puppy may face even more detrimental effects. Extra weight can put a strain on a young dog's growing skeletal frame and impact growth hormones, which can lead to increased inflammation. We also know that overweight puppies are more likely to suffer from developmental orthopedic disease, which is a complex of possible problems characterized by abnormal growth of bones and joint structures, says Shmalberg. This can cause gait problems, limb deformities, bone, and joint pain, and set up a situation that predisposes the dog to early-onset arthritis.

And although research is still in progress, it's thought, too, that obesity at an early age has long-term effects on a dog's metabolism, so that she may be more likely to stay overweight as she ages and therefore be predisposed to all the health problems above. A lower metabolism during the critical period of puppyhood may also make it harder for the dog to lose weight down the road.

The most critical factor in any dog weight-loss plan is diet—and both the type of food and the amount matter. Exercise is always encouraged, but exercise alone is usually insufficient for substantial weight loss. What's really important to remember is that weight loss needs to be a family or household affair. It takes dedication and commitment from every one of your dog's guardians to ensure he stays on track (and that stray treats don't slip into the mix). A dog's failure to lose weight is usually related to an owner's failure to feed him the appropriate number of calories, says Shmalberg. If you're ready to learn how to put a dog on a diet, you've come to the right place. Here's how to help your dog lose weight, step by step.

Tips To Help Your Dog Lose Weight!

Once your vet confirms that your furry friend needs to slim down, it's time to put your overweight dog diet plan into action. Here are 10 steps to get you there:

There isn’t one particular food type or brand that is better than others when it comes to helping your dog lose weight. However, there are factors in dog food that will help set your dog up for better weight loss success:

Dietary protein: If your dog is overweight, you want her to lose fat while preserving muscle mass. Protein is critical to the maintenance and growth of skeletal muscle, which is key for mobility.Studies have foundthat increased dietary protein may help preserve muscle tissue in dogs on weight-loss plans. Protein also requires more energy to break down in the dog's body than fat or carbs, so protein calories may be more beneficial for weight loss too, says Shmalberg. As for how much protein, clinical studies suggest that 75 grams per 1, 000 calories of food is the minimal amount needed to preserve lean body mass—but even more may be beneficial. Check outour calorie calculatorto learn more.

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More essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids: The whole purpose of a weight-loss dog food is that you can restrict the number of