Why does dog obesity matter?

Previous PDSA PAW Reports have consistently found that the majority of owners perceive their pet to be an ideal weight, however in contrast, findings from their survey in 2023 show that, on average, veterinary professionals estimate that 46% of dogs are overweight. Similarly, UK Pet Food spoke to veterinary professionals, and they found that 50% of dogs were overweight or obese. More worrying is that 67% of pet owners were not worried about their pet’s weight. From my personal experience, I feel these statistics are probably higher when we talk about obesity!

You may wonder, why am I so concerned? Obesity is a major health concern. What many pet owners don’t understand is what is going on inside your overweight pet’s body that will affect its day-to-day life and make its future considerably shorter.

Why is obesity so harmful?

Obesity can cause a wide range of health risks including diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, joint issues, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Add to this the fact it can take years off of your dog’s life and we can see that it is a problem that shouldn’t be ignored.

Basically, the whole-body system is going to be struggling. Carrying excess weight means more strain and effort is put onto the joints therefore leading to mobility problems and joint pain. This will also affect the lungs and the amount they can expand, making it harder to breathe.

From a professional aspect… owners be aware!

But I’m not just thinking day-to-day, I see what happens in veterinary practice. If a dog requires surgery or medical procedures that involve anaesthesia, obesity can increase the risks associated with these procedures. An obese dog’s body has to work so much harder to breathe, it’s lung capacity will be reduced and therefore makes it harder to maintain when in surgery. Also, an obese body has more fat tissue and fat cells making surgical instruments harder to handle and move. This will, inevitably mean the risks around surgery are much higher.
Even after surgery, because an obese dog has trouble moving and exercising, healing after surgery will be a much tougher and harder journey.

So, what does an obese dog look like?

There is a line between overweight and obesity, it looks very much like a ‘BMI’ rating that we are used to seeing and hearing about. However, with pets, it isn’t just about how much they weigh, it is also about something called their ‘body condition scoring’.

Obesity can occur when a pet is 20% over their ideal body weight. The body condition scoring shows how their body should look in terms of shape.

Very thin dogs may show their bones, ribs, and little muscle. Obese dogs will have a large amount of fat around their middle and very little in terms of waistline.

Why is my dog obese?

The calories going in are higher than the ones expended through movement and exercise.

This may be due to several issues. One can be neutering. One of the downsides of neutering is the calorie intake. The raging hormones of an unneutered dog make burning calories efficient, however, once this is gone, calories need to be burned in other ways such as exercise and this also means a neutered dog may need a different calorie intake, lighter diet, or reduced potions.

It can also start when a dog is young. A puppy grows quicker and has fat cells to do this. However, if your puppy starts off obese it will make burning off that extra puppy fat harder as it grows older.

Another major factor is us and our families. We consider our dogs to be part of the family, and as such we like to treat them. We often give them leftovers, BBQ bits, and crusts off the toast… Children will drop food and the dog will hoover it up, or children feed them not understanding how it can mount up and instil bad behaviour.

Our lifestyles have become less active, dogs are not walked as much, gardens are smaller, we have more going on in our lives and dogs can become the last thing to ‘do’. Add in Covid to this mix and there is a whole generation of dogs not even used to going out or socialising.

Where to start

If you have read any of this and are slightly uneasy, or concerned there is a lot you can do, but don’t feel ashamed.

• Weight loss is the best pain relief.
• Many vet practices have workshops and support groups to help you. The weight on the scales isn’t the only factor, look at the body condition scale above to see where your dog may score.
• Don’t lose weight too quickly as that can also be an issue. Ideally, dogs need to lose 1-2% per week for weight loss.
• Exercise should be tailored, if your dog is very obese do small more frequent bouts of exercise, and think about adding another 10-minute walk to your day.
• Reduce treats, this needs strict management but don’t take it all away. Just like us a little of something makes you happy, be practical. Also, think about swapping the treat for something not so calorific.
• Food. Ensure a balanced meal, and look at the nutrients in your pet’s food. If you are unsure call their customer services and ask about a feeding guide for your type of dog.
  If you find your dog is not losing weight, then it could be the food that may be letting them down.
• Support is vital, team up with friends, extended family, and your vet practice.

Need help with a body condition score?

I am fully trained and certified in preventative healthcare and want to share this passion with you. Together we can build a trusting relationship with your pet that will allow them to live a fulfilled, happy life.

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