Dog obesity affects approximately 40% of these pets, which manifests itself in being overweight. This is due to many factors. But above all, it is the wrong eating habit that targets in the first place. Discover the causes that promote obesity in dogs and the appropriate solutions.
dog obesity
The origin of obesity in dogs
It is the fat mass accumulated when the dog consumes more calories than it expends, which increases its weight. We can identify the various causes of this weight gain: reasons that have nothing to do with diet and of course reasons related to what the dog eats.
In the non-nutritive causes of obesity, we find everything that reduces a dog's energy needs: decreased inactivity or in general, lack of exercise, spaying, or age (caloric needs decrease as the dog gets older). Besides, some breeds such as Labrador or Cavalier King Charles naturally tend to gain weight.
Beware, obesity can be due to a hormonal disease (diabetes, hypothyroidism), and some medications can enhance appetite, thus increasing the dog's weight (anti-epileptics, corticosteroids).
In the nutritional causes of obesity lies everything that causes the dog to consume too many calories: unlimited food or an unbalanced diet. We don't necessarily think about it, but foods high in fats and sugars often cause obesity. A biscuit given to a 10kg dog is worth a hamburger to us!
Archaeology
It must first be remembered that obesity reduces the life expectancy of your dog (up to two years) and does not contribute to its well-being.
Indeed, an obese dog will often have problems with movement, heart, and digestive system (constipation and flatulence) but will also resist infections and will be more prone to tumors. Furthermore, obesity can exacerbate osteoporosis issues due to the weight supporting the joints, as well as respiratory and heart problems for your dog. Finally, obesity can cause diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
Learn about dog obesity
Obese dogs are often the same. First, they are greedy “in all respects”, but primarily lose their strength, walk more slowly and find it difficult to run; They no longer like physical activities and tolerate heat poorly.
There is a simple technique that vets use. It just consists of looking for fat lumps on the dog's silhouette:
Note the shape of the dog in the lateral position and above: In a dog of ideal weight, the "size" of the dog should be distinct, just as we should see the last three ribs. Of course, the size is more or less noticeable depending on the breed (the greyhound, for example, has a much deeper belly than a bulldog!).
Palpate the ribs, chest, and abdomen: move your hands along the side of the dog's chest without applying pressure. If your ribs don't even feel pressure, you're probably fat. At normal times, you should be able to count a dog's ribs without touching and feeling a very light layer of fat covering the ribs. In the same way, you can find beads between the thighs, at the base of the tail, and the level of your dog's chest. These are also signs of weight gain and sometimes obesity (when necessary).
Learn how to use this technique and practice it once or twice. If your pet is obese, it will be beneficial to monitor their diet and also see when they have reached their ideal weight. If your pet is not overweight, they will do an eye exercise, and you will quickly realize if they are gaining weight. To help you, Purina has created an image scale and offers you to assess your dog's condition (website or at the vet's office).
How do I make my dog lose weight?
Here's an idea of what to do to make your dog lose weight:
Make a plan to lose weight
First, you need to determine roughly the ideal weight for your dog (adult weight before spaying or weight before it starts growing, standard weight for the breed…). Strict weight loss protocol. To lose weight, your dog should receive 40 to 60% of the amount he would receive if he was at his ideal weight.
It is recommended to reach this level of food to do this in stages, reducing the portion every 2 to 3 weeks.
Calculate the amount of food that should be given to your dog each day and prepare it in the morning; For the day the dog will not receive anything other than what was made in the morning.
If the portions of food distributed seem insufficient (and maybe the case), it is necessary to use a special diet for slimming (more abundant in fiber and protein but also less rich in fat). A serving of high-fiber food can be even more important, even if it brings in fewer calories.
To avoid starving your dog
It is advisable to add vegetables or use a wet diet (always the same principle: the dog feels like he is in the bowl and therefore in the stomach). Similarly, you can serve more meals per day: 3 to 4 meals are ideal. be careful; Even if there are more meals, the amount throughout the day remains the same! The last tip is to slow down your dog's food intake. It is up to you to play with the imagination to force him to eat at a lower speed, a simple drink in the bowl can slow down a small dog. The less quickly he eats, the better he will feel satisfied at the end of his meal.
To respect the daily calorie intake, the dog must not receive rewards. It is necessary. If you want to donate it, use low-calorie treats (cuts of apples or vegetables) or eat your food from your daily dose of food. To achieve success in your dog's diet, remember to inform the whole family of rules to follow but also your neighbors and friends who visit and regularly monitor your dog's silhouette and weight (weighing can be done free of charge at the vet). He should lose weight during his diet (about 1 to 2% of his weight per week).
Remember, this is very general advice that you should make a shift when changing an animal's diet. For this mix, old and new food for a week (increase the share of the newer and decrease the percentage of the past as and when).
Get your dog to exercise
It is used to increase energy expenditure and prevent the dog from losing muscle during the diet. It is recommended to gradually increase physical activity, and not run for an hour on the first day of eating! Let your dog get used to exercising. In general, it is recommended to walk briskly for 30 minutes or twice 15 minutes per day, at least. You can also take him swimming, especially if your dog has joint pain.
Obesity Prevention: It is better to prevent the dog from becoming obese!
I always thought it was easier to reduce the portion or switch to a lighter diet than to lose weight for an obese dog. If spayed (for medical reasons or convenience) or when there is a decrease in physical activity, reduce the dog's servings by 20% or change its diet to a light diet (or "light" spayed animals).
Avoid biting your dog during meals; They are often the ones who promote obesity. When you know that an overweight pup is more likely to become obese in adulthood and that a 5kg piece of cheese is worth a full human cheese for, it's best to start prevention right away. younger.
Of course, you can always give the dog a treat to your pet to reward him for a heroic act or teach him by considering reducing his daily ratio and avoiding giving more than once a day.
If your dog does not finish his plate, while respecting the quantities indicated on the package, do not worry that it is too thin (all ribs are visible, you do not feel any fat when moving your hands over his ribs) or if he begins to lose weight. Otherwise, only that you have a dog that regulates its diet well!
Conclusion:
Do not stay alone dog obesity is not inevitable! There are many solutions. Consult your veterinarian, and he will tell you if your dog is obese, the procedures to be followed, and the most appropriate diet for his condition. It's always easier to reach your ideal weight when you're supported and surrounded! It will provide answers to questions that worry you and advise you in case of difficulty. It will also tell you what to do when your dog reaches its ideal weight.
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