Dogs Obesity

What is an Obesity?

An excess of white adipose tissue in dogs is referred to as obesity, and it often results from energy intake surpassing energy expenditure. Reduced life expectancy, reduced mobility, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, trouble breathing, trouble grooming, elevated risk of hyperthermia, and elevated risk of cancer are all linked to obesity.

Pet obesity lowers the quality of life and raises veterinary expenses. It is estimated that one out of every three veterinarian patients is overweight. Obesity is linked to higher cancer risk, worse quality of life, and more veterinary expenses. Simple dietary adjustments, physical activity, and mindfulness are advised; if strictly adhered to, they provide positive effects.

What Does Dog Obesity Mean?

The excessive buildup of bodily fat that causes sickness is known as obesity. Dogs are classified as overweight if they weigh at least 10% more than their optimal body weight, and obese if they weigh 20% more than their ideal weight. Many illnesses might have excess body weight as a contributing cause.

Reasons for Dog Obesity:

Dog obesity may be caused by the following factors:

The environment

Overfeeding is when you give your pet more food than they can use for activity. Table scraps, high-fat foods, the quantity of meals, the quantity of snacks, and frequent dietary changes are all contributing dietary variables.

Absence of exercise: Pets kept indoors are more likely to become obese.
Misconception about the dog’s physical condition: The owner does not acknowledge that the dog is obese.

Physiology

Age: Dogs older than five years old burn fewer calories each day and engage in less voluntary exercise.
Genetic predisposition: Certain breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, dachshunds, spaniels, terriers, and beagles, are prone to obesity.

Operation

Neutering/spaying: Reduced sex hormone production lowers calorie expenditure and may alter satiety (increased appetite).

Drugs

Anticonvulsants like phenobarbital can reduce satiety, which might result in overeating.
Weight gain and improper fat deposition can result from glucocorticoids.

Conditions

Weight gain can be a result of hypothyroidism.
Insulinoma may be a factor in weight gain.
Weight gain can be attributed to hyperadrenocorticism.

Dogs with obesity symptoms include:

Dog obesity symptoms include:

• Gaining weight
• Little or no waistline visibility
• No discernible rib cage
• Too much body fat
• enlarged abdomen
• Absence of movement and grooming
• Laziness
• Breathing difficulties

Obesity-related health problems in dogs:

Arthritis: Obesity is a significant risk factor for arthritis, a prevalent health issue in dogs. Damage to the joints results in arthritis, which is characterized by pain, stiffness, and inflammation. The additional pressure that obesity places on the joints might hasten the onset of arthritis.

Heart Disease: Dogs that are obese may get heart disease as a result of the additional strain on their hearts. In dogs, heart disease is a dangerous ailment that can be lethal. It’s critical to detect it early and have a veterinarian treat your dog. Coughing, edema in the abdomen, dyspnoea, elevated heart rate, and fatigue are signs of heart disease. Please take your dog to the veterinarian right away if you observe any of these signs.

Diabetes Mellitus: Obesity may be the cause of diabetes mellitus in dogs. Obesity can cause diabetes in dogs because it makes the pancreas work harder to create insulin. Dogs with diabetes mellitus may exhibit increased hunger, thirst, and urine. It’s critical to get your dog checked out by a veterinarian if they exhibit any of these symptoms. Although diabetes mellitus is a dangerous illness that can be challenging to treat, your dog can have a long and fulfilling life if they receive the proper care.

Neoplasia: Neoplasia is the abnormal development of cells and can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Obesity can induce a rise in the size and quantity of fat cells, which can lead to the development of neoplasms. In addition, obesity can also induce an increase in circulating hormones, which can encourage the growth of some types of cancer cells. Treatment for obesity-related neoplasia generally entails weight loss and may also need surgery, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy.

Skin Conditions: Dogs who are overweight may indeed get skin issues. Excess weight can produce more skin creases, which can be the ideal habitat for yeast and germs. This may result in discomfort and excruciating infections. Furthermore, many skin disorders can be extremely challenging to treat, sometimes necessitating several drug regimens.

Respiratory Issue: Obese dogs frequently experience respiratory issues and breathing difficulties. This is because excess adipose tissue may hinder the lungs’ ability to adequately expand and contract. Over time, respiratory issues may also result in other severe medical disorders.

One of the most prevalent health issues in dogs is liver disease, which may be particularly dangerous for fat canines. Toxins are filtered from the blood by the liver, and when the liver is overworked, they can accumulate and harm the body. Because obesity puts an additional load on the liver, it increases the risk of liver disease.

Less efficient Immune system: An obese dog’s immune system performs less effectively than it should. This indicates that the dog is more prone to illnesses and infections. Additionally, the recovery period may be greater than that of a healthy, optimally weighted dog.

Tumors: Although dogs can develop a wide variety of tumors, lipomas, and adenomas are the most prevalent ones linked to obesity. Fatty tumors called lipomas are common in elderly dogs. Although they are often not malignant, they can enlarge to the point of pain or mobility restriction. Adenomas are glandular tumors that frequently develop in mucous membranes or the skin. The majority of canine adenomas are benign, yet they can also be cancerous.

Exercise intolerance or lethargy: Obesity-related exercise intolerance or lethargy in dogs is a prevalent health problem that many pet owners deal with. Obese dogs may appear lethargic or exhausted and frequently struggle to exercise. This is a result of their bodies bearing excess weight, which can make mobility challenging.

Several anesthetic problems, including airway blockage, challenging intubation, elevated blood pressure and cardiac output, and reduced oxygen transport to tissues, are associated with obesity in dogs. Anesthetic medication metabolism issues can also result from fatty deposits in the liver. Additionally, surgical complications including pneumonia and atelectasis are more common in obese dogs.

Increased risk of ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage is one of the problems brought on by obesity. Due to the additional strain on their joints, obese dogs are particularly vulnerable to ACL tears, which are regrettably prevalent in dogs of all sizes. Surgery is frequently required to repair a damaged ACL.

How can I determine whether my dog is overweight?

The fat dog should be aware that something is wrong. Regretfully, we are constantly exposed to pictures of obese dogs in the media, which makes it difficult to define what healthy looks like. The veterinary health care team and your veterinarian can help with an evaluation.

By measuring the amount of fat covering your dog’s ribcage and comparing it to the feel of your touch, you can evaluate their physical health at home. Feel the dog’s ribcage slightly behind its front legs to begin.

Your dog’s ribs are in great physical shape if they feel like the back of your hand.
Your dog is too skinny if their ribs protrude or feel like your knuckles.
Your dog is overweight if their ribs feel like the palm of your hand.

In between official weigh-ins, this “hand test” is also a useful indicator of weight reduction success.

The estimated optimal body weight to utilize as a target will be provided by your veterinary healthcare team. To make sure that progress is being made towards a normal body weight and condition, they must, however, also do routine body condition examinations. The majority of veterinary clinics employ a body condition rating system that ranges from 1 to 9, with 5 being the optimal score, or from 1 to 5, with 3 being the ideal score.

Identification of Obesity in Canines:

By calculating a dog’s body weight and calculating their body condition score (BCS), obesity is detected. Using the body condition score system is the simplest method for determining obesity at home. The following general bodily condition measuring mechanism is used in all BCS charts, albeit there are several ways to give the BCS an actual number.

Measurements of Body Condition:

• Underweight: From a distance, the ribs, spine, and/or pelvic bones are evident.
• Ideal Weight: Able to feel ribs with a light touch. From above, the waistline is noticeably smaller than the upper body.
• Overweight: When gently petted, the ribs cannot be felt. From above, there is no distinction between waist and upper body size.
• Obese: Only pressure can feel the ribs. Waistline that is the same width as the upper body or bigger. Distention of the abdomen.

To rule out any underlying reasons and start a weight-management program, you might wish to see your veterinarian if your pet receives a score of overweight or obese based on the body condition measures mentioned above. After weighing your pet, your veterinarian will calculate a bodily condition score. The outcomes are then compared to breed standards, which state that even when ribs are apparent from a distance, thin breeds like the greyhound and the majority of sight hounds will weigh a typical amount.
Obesity is defined as a body weight excess of 10–15%. Obesity is defined as a score higher than seven on a nine-point BCS scale.

What dangers are connected to obesity in dogs?

In the US, up to 65% of dogs are deemed overweight or obese. Numerous illnesses in dogs can be exacerbated by obesity, such as:

• The condition of arthritis
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney illness
• Compromise of the respiratory system
• Reduced tolerance to heat and exercise
• An elevated risk of heart disease
• Unusual reaction to insulin
• Enhanced risk of anesthesia
• A decline in life quality

Giving your dog treats as a way to show them you care may potentially reduce their longevity and lower their quality of life if the additional calories lead to obesity.

Management of Dog Obesity:

The goal of treating obesity in dogs is to help them lose weight and then maintain that weight for the rest of their lives. The healthiest method to lose weight is to increase activity and decrease calorie consumption, just as in people. Your veterinarian will advise you on appropriate diet choices, exercise routines, feeding schedules, frequency of treatments, and portion sizes.

Because protein and fiber boost metabolism and promote satiety, diets high in protein and low in fat have the best weight reduction results. It’s critical to get rid of sweets and table leftovers. An excellent substitute for snacks is to feed green beans and other vegetables. Numerous commercial and prescription dog meals that are designed for weight reduction and maintenance are available in both canned and kibble forms. Since homemade diets frequently fall short of daily vitamin and mineral needs, they are not advised.

To achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, exercise is just as crucial as eating. Exercise choices include walking on a leash for 30 minutes a day (you may divide this into 10-minute increments), playing games outside, training on a treadmill, and swimming (dog spas include exercise treadmills and pools). Playtime and exercise may be induced by taking your pet to a dog daycare two or three times a week for an afternoon.

A special dish that compels the dog to work to receive each piece of food is available at most pet stores if your dog eats too quickly. A reward ball that only releases treats when your dog rolls it around is another useful gadget that will increase activity. Exercise via dog training is enjoyable for both pet and owner, but instead of giving your pet high-calorie goodies, consider rewarding them with green beans.

Changes in diet must be implemented gradually to prevent gastrointestinal distress. After purchasing a new food, combine half of the new food with half of the old food, and feed the mixture for seven days, unless your veterinarian directs you differently. Only then can you safely feed the new food.

Dogs’ Recoveries from Obesity:

Body weight should be monitored once your pet starts a weight-management program to make sure it’s effective. Without an appointment, the majority of veterinary clinics provide free use of their scales for pet weight measurements. As weight fluctuates, the food and exercise regimen may need to be modified.

To keep the pet away from table leftovers and discarded food, make sure that family members and friends are well-informed about any dietary changes. When properly adhered to, a weight-management regimen is both safe and successful. A maintenance diet and exercise regimen should be adhered to for the pet’s lifetime after a healthy weight has been reached.

FAQs

References

• Grota, J., DVM. (2024, April 16). Obesity in dogs. PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/digestive/obesity-dogs
• Wag. (2024, May 15). Obesity in dogs. Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost. https://wagwalking.com/condition/obesity
• Obesity in dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-dogs