Help for Overweight Dogs

Help for Overweight Dogs : For stylist Marissa Gimeno, 32, of Brooklyn, N.Y., it didn’t take help from a rocket scientist — or even a veterinarian — for her to realize that her 8-year-old dog, Lolita, needed to slim down. “She was about 2 pounds overweight,” she says. “For a Chihuahua, that’s hard to miss.”

Is Your Dog Overweight?

To tell if your pet could shed a few pounds, feel around his ribs and spine. You should be able to locate both with only a thin layer of fat separating the skin from the bones. If you can’t find the ribcage, you have an overweight dog.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your pooch’s size at every check-up. Once your canine reaches maturity, ask for his optimal weight. As a rule of thumb, 15% above that weight is obese; zero to 15% is overweight. If your dog falls into either category, he is not alone. According to a 2011 study, 53% of dogs are overweight or obese.

Tips for Weighing Your Dog

Hit the scales periodically (weekly or monthly) to make sure your dog is on track.

“Your vet will be happy to let you use the scale at the office,” says Louise Murray, DVM, director of medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

If that’s not convenient, step on a scale at home. Then step on again, this time holding your pet. The difference between the two weights is how much your dog weighs. For small breeds, invest in a baby scale.

“Regardless of the method, it’s imperative that your pet is weighed on the same scale consistently,” says Todd R. Tams, DVM, and chief medical officer of VCA Antech.

Overweight Dogs: Blame the Breed

Some breeds are prone to obesity, while others (Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers), are typically slim.

Small breeds with a propensity for heftiness include:

Cairn Terriers
Dachshunds
Scottish Terriers
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Medium breeds:

Beagles
Cocker Spaniels
Basset Hounds

Large breeds:

Labs
Golden Retrievers
Rottweilers

Giant breeds:

Bernese Mountain Dogs
Newfoundlands
Saint Bernards

Are You Making Your Dog Fat?

Another, non-genetic reason for an overweight dog is more obvious: YOU, the owner, may be overindulging your pet, most likely with treats or people food.

“Food is love, and people want to make their pets happy,” Tams says. “Very often, it is not the dog’s official food that is causing the weight problem; it is all the additional treats or snacks between meals,” Murray says.

Portion Control Is Key

Knowing the correct serving size of food for your overweight dog is imperative for success. Companies often place information on labels or include charts on their web sites. But because many variables, such as size, are factored into the equation, get advice from your veterinarian on how often and how much to feed your dog.

Putting Your Dog on a Diet

After you’ve verified that your furry friend needs to slim down, consider everything he eats on a daily basis. “Do an honest assessment, covering all treats and snacks, including those given by other family members, neighbors, dog sitters, and dog walkers,” Murray says. “You may find all you need to do is cut these out.”

You don’t need to nix treats altogether. “Be realistic — if you or your family likes to give them, it’s unlikely that a no-treat policy will succeed,” Murray says. “Choose healthy alternatives, such as veggies or rice cakes, and decide at the beginning of each day exactly how many the dog is allowed; put this amount in a bowl, and when they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Another tactic to try is reducing portions. Murray recommends immediately cutting daily food intake by 15% to 20% for a six- to eight-week period, then analyzing the results. Additionally, your veterinarian can calculate the exact amount of calories your pet needs per day to lose weight based on his current size, ideal body weight, energy level, and general health.

Don’t Give In to Begging

If your overweight dog whines and cries for more food, hold firm. “That causes a lot of owners to buckle,” Tams says.

Murray says: “Your dog will certainly whine if he knows that will get him more treats and snacks.” If you’re serving the correct portion, more food will only contribute to weight issues.

Diet Dog Food: Making the Switch

If you’ve tried all these things and they haven’t done the trick, it may be time for diet dog food.

Gimeno attributes certain brands of chow and lack of exercise to Lolita’s weight problem. And because smaller breeds are more susceptible to heart failure, she decided to visit her veterinarian and take action.

With a diet of organic brands, such as Newman’s Own and AvoDerm, and more walks in the park, Lolita shed her excess weight. Both Murray and Tams advocate this type of dog diet.

Consult your vet on the right food for your canine. Factors such as size, age, and overall health dictate the type or brand. Your vet may even suggest a prescription dog food.

“Some diet foods that are higher in certain types of fiber can help a dog feel fuller while ingesting fewer calories,” Murray says. If you decide to switch to diet dog food, do so slowly, each day mixing in more and more of the healthier fare.

Get Your Overweight Dog Exercising

Exercise is as important for pets as it is for people. If you don’t have the time, hire a dog walker or a teenager looking for some extra cash.

“Doggy day care centers are a great option if everyone is gone during the day,” Tams says. “Your dog can run and play all day long.”

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