Obesity in dogs: causes, consequences and what you can do as a dog parent

Obesity in dogs is a serious problem that can significantly affect the quality of life and well-being of your four-legged family member. In this blog, you will find out how obesity occurs in dogs and what serious health consequences it can have. Your dog deserves a healthy and happy life, and we will show you how you can help him to achieve this.

Content

• Recognizing overweight in dogs
• Causes of obesity
• Consequences of being overweight
• Measures against obesity
• Conclusion

How can I tell if my dog is overweight?

It is not always easy to tell if a dog is overweight. Over a third of dog parents of overweight or obese dogs classify their dog as ideal weight according to a survey (source: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention).

Unlike with us humans, there is no objective body mass index. There are too many differences in physique for that. And not only between individual dog breeds, but also within the same breed.

However, obesity in dogs is a serious problem. According to a study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention 59% of dogs were considered overweight or obese.

• And this despite the fact that the risk of health consequences is very high. You should therefore recognize overweight in your dog at an early stage.
• The Body Condition Score (BCS) is helpful for this.

The BCS criteria for ideal weight in dogs:

• Looking at your dog from above:
• The bulge of the abdomen becomes narrower towards the back
• Recognizable waist
• When looking at your dog from the side
• Recognizable waist
• Belly has a clear upward curve towards the back
• When palpating your dog
• Ribs are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat

• Further information on the Body Condition Score.

Also look out for other signs. For example, if you have to keep loosening your adult dog's collar, you should check its weight. Breathing problems and a lack of stamina when playing, as well as difficulties walking and reduced activity and mobility are also clear signs.

If you suspect that your dog is overweight, you should always consult a vet. They are best placed to assess your dog' s state of health and give you tips on weight control.

Body Condition Score

The Body Condition Score (BCS) is a helpful tool for assessing your dog's weight. Using a scale, your dog's physique is objectively divided into categories and can thus provide information about the dog's weight.

The BCS is often divided into a 5-, 7- or 9-point scale. For a rough, simplified assessment, the 5-point scale is shown below. If you have the impression based on this that your dog deviates from the ideal weight, consult your vet. They will be able to make an exact assessment of your dog's weight.

5-point scale: Each point an increase or decrease of 20% to 30% body weight

Here are some steps to help you use the Body Condition Score on your dog:

Get the big picture: look at your dog from the side and from above. Pay attention to the shape of the waist, ribs and hips.

Assess the waist: When you look at your dog from the side, there should be a slight indentation at the waist. The waist should not be too narrow or too wide.

Feel ribs: By lightly stroking the rib cage, the ribs should be palpable but not visible. A healthy amount of fat coverage should be present.

Assess hip bones: The hip bones should be easily felt, but not prominent or sharp.

Observe the back: The back should be straight and strong. A hollow back or rounded back can be a sign of being underweight or overweight.

Consider movements: Observe your dog's gait. A healthy weight supports normal movement without signs of stiffness or lameness.

After the assessment, you can classify the dog into one of the BCS categories. Ideally, a healthy dog should have a BCS of 3. This means:

• Your dog has a clearly recognizable waist when viewed from the side
• The ribs are slightly noticeable but not visible, with adequate fat coverage
• The hip bones are noticeable, but not overly pronounced.
• The back is straight, the muscles are well developed

It is important to note that individual differences, e.g. breed, should be taken into account. Consult your vet regularly to monitor your dog's nutritional status.

Overweight or obesity (adiposity)

The terms overweight and obesity are sometimes used synonymously. However, obesity is considered a disease in its own right. According to current estimates, 20-40% of dogs suffer from obesity (source: German, A.J., 2006, The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats).

There are various indications as to when a dog is classified as obese. 

• The Body Condition Score classifies it on the 5-point scale as follows:
  
  A dog with a body weight 10-20% higher than the ideal weight is considered overweight (point 4). Obesity starts at 40% higher body weight (point 5). Both overweight and obesity increase the risk of numerous diseases.

Causes of obesity in dogs

In short, the cause of obesity in dogs lies in an increased energy intake, a lower energy requirement or both.

However, there are various reasons why there is an imbalance between the energy intake and the actual requirement.

Organic factors

• Race
• Age
• Castration
• Hormonal diseases
• Limited mobility
• Medication

Race

Some dog breeds have lower energy requirements for genetic reasons. This means that these dogs consume fewer calories per day than other breeds.

Dog breeds that tend to be overweight (examples):

• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• Cocker Spaniel
• Beagle
• Dachshund
• Pug
• Bulldog

In addition to the genetically determined energy requirement, the character of the dog must also be taken into account. After all, there are also differences within breeds. For example, one dog of the same breed can be very active, while another prefers to laze around.

The coat can also have an influence. Dogs with short top coats and little undercoat need significantly more energy to keep warm than long-haired dogs with a lot of undercoat.

Age

As dogs get older, they generally move less. Their metabolism also changes. This reduces energy consumption. If the energy intake is not adjusted, this can lead to obesity.

And the risk of obesity can also be increased as a puppy. If a puppy is fed a diet that is too high in energy, more fat cells are formed than in ideally fed puppies. The number of fat cells cannot be changed later on.

Castration

Castration can increase the risk of obesity in both males and females. In male dogs , this is due to the change in spontaneous activity. This reduces the urge to move and fat deposits can accumulate.

In bitches , on the other hand, castration leads to an increased appetite due to the altered hormone balance.

Hormonal disease

Hormonal diseases can also lead to obesity. After all, energy consumption is influenced by hormones. Possible diseases are

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Cushing's disease (hyperfunction of the adrenal gland)
• Malfunctions of the gonads

To rule out this cause, it is necessary to have your dog examined by a vet.

Limited mobility due to illness

Some diseases do not affect the hormones, but the mobility of the dog. The dog moves less and the energy requirement decreases. These include

• Osteoarthritis
• Joint diseases (hip joint dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, etc.)
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Respiratory diseases

These diseases should also be ruled out by a vet before you help your dog to fight obesity.

The vicious circle with these diseases is that they can lead to obesity, but are also encouraged by obesity. 

• Other consequences of obesity in dogs.

Medication

Antiepileptic drugs, glucocorticoids, cortisone preparations, progesterone preparations, certain anticonvulsant drugs - these are just a few examples of drugs that can either reduce energy requirements or increase appetite. Long-term use can lead to obesity.

Behavioral aspects

Behavioral problems, such as anxiety or depression, can be the trigger for obesity. As can developmental disorders. These include, for example, a disturbed sense of satiety or abnormal eating behavior.

Uncontrollability or aggressiveness also indirectly increase the risk of obesity. Dogs with these or other behavioral problems often have less freedom of movement. This reduces their energy requirements and promotes obesity.

External factors

The most influential external factor for obesity in dogs is the dog's parents. Our lifestyle also has an effect on your dog. You have a say in how much exercise your dog gets through walks and play sessions. You therefore have a major influence on your dog's energy requirements.

You also determine your dog's energy intake. You can promote obesity, for example, by giving your dog too much food, e.g. through unrestricted access to food. Or by giving your dog food that is too high in energy, i.e. too high in calories. High-calorie treats must also be taken into account in the daily food ration.

It is therefore very important that all people who take responsibility for the dog familiarize themselves with proper dog care and feeding.

Consequences of obesity for the dog

The most important thing dog parents need to know: Obesity in dogs is not a cosmetic defect. The consequences of obesity in dogs are far-reaching.

The dog's quality of life is negatively affected. Excess weight in dogs leads to lower vitality and greater imbalance. And even life expectancy is reduced by around 20%.

What happens when a dog is overweight?

In overweight dogs, the percentage of body fat is 10-20% above the ideal weight, according to the 5-point scale of the Body Condition Score. In dogs with obesity it is even 30-40%.

In order to absorb this excess, new fat cells are formed. Fat stores form in the subcutaneous tissue of the trunk, in the chest and abdominal cavity. The same applies to the connective tissue that runs through the internal organs. This means that their functions are also impaired by obesity in dogs.

But fat cells don't just store fat. They are also important for regulating your dog's metabolism. To do this, they release hormones and other regulatory factors. In overweight dogs, the way the fat cells and other tissue cells work changes, resulting in a hormonal imbalance. An increase in body fat shifts the metabolic balance.

Obesity as a factor for diseases in dogs

Excess weight in dogs can not only exacerbate existing diseases, but is also a factor in the development of various diseases. These include

• Osteoarthritis (joint wear and tear)
• Insulin resistance (precursor to type 2 diabetes)
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Respiratory diseases
• Dermatitis (skin diseases)
• Constipation (constipation)
• Incontinence in spayed bitches

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a wear and tear of the joints.

Every second dog (50.2%) diagnosed with osteoarthritis also suffers from overweight or obesity. In dogs of ideal weight, approximately one in four dogs (25.5%) is affected by osteoarthritis. (Source: Royal Canin)

Increased risk during surgical procedures

Being overweight in dogs also increases the risk of anesthesia. This is because it not only puts a strain on the circulation, but also changes the distribution and breakdown of the anaesthetic medication.

Wound healing is also more likely to be impaired. The excess fatty tissue resulting from being overweight can also complicate surgical procedures.

What can dogs do about obesity?

• Recognizing that your dog is overweight and deciding to do something about it are two important steps towards improving your dog's quality of life.

Before you put your dog on a diet, you should have your dog's health checked thoroughly by a vet. After all, excess pounds are not only promoted by health problems, but also lead to them.

You can also draw up a plan with your vet that is individually tailored to your dog. As a dog parent, you can help your dog lose weight with two important measures:

• Increase energy requirements
• Reduce the energy supply

Make sure that you set yourself intermediate goals. This will make it easier for you to persevere. After all, losing excess pounds doesn't work any more than gaining weight overnight.

Increase energy demand

The increase in energy requirements can have a positive effect on weight loss. However, a normal exercise program is not enough to help reduce body fat. To increase exercise in everyday life, you can, for example, extend the walks and incorporate games.

Important: The increase in activity must be individually adapted to the dog. If there are known pre-existing conditions, such as osteoarthritis, uncontrolled increased exercise could be harmful. In such cases, talk to your vet about the options for gentle exercise for your dog. Physiotherapeutic measures could be useful.

Dietary supplements such as the Canosept joint tablets support the joint metabolism in osteoarthritis and promote your dog's general mobility and well-being.

Increased activity puts a strain on the joints. That is why you should strengthen your dog's joints. The good news is that regular exercise is essential for strengthening them. However, it is important that you increase this slowly. Excess weight alone is already a major burden.

Reduce energy supply

To reduce energy intake, you should simply feed your dog fewer calories. That's easy to say. But when it comes to food, you should bear in mind that it is not enough just to reduce the amount. This will reduce the energy intake. But then your dog may also be missing out on important nutrients from the food.

There is low-calorie food. Although this has a lower energy density, it still contains a balanced proportion of proteins and nutrients. It is important that you discuss the change of food as a dietary measure with your vet. This is the only way to guarantee that your dog will lose weight healthily. In order to support your dog's intestinal flora during a change of food, it is advisable to administer the Canosept intestinal flora tablets is recommended.

Tips and tricks

The process of losing weight with progress and regression requires a lot of patience. But it's worth all the effort. To make it easier for you to keep your dog on a diet, we have three tips for you below.

Tip 1: Involve all those responsible

Whether it's people from your household, neighbors or dog sitters, everyone who has an influence on your dog's exercise and feeding must be involved.

Make clear arrangements and agree on a clear division of tasks. For example, one person can only be responsible for feeding and another for providing sufficient exercise. This can prevent double feeding and forgetting to go for a walk.

Our tip against too many treats: a treat jar. This is filled daily with the appropriate amount of treats. Or you can reserve some of the normal dog food as treats. According to the principle "What's gone is gone", your dog only gets the treats from the jar, regardless of who gives them. This makes it easy to keep track of the quantity.

Tip 2: Keep an overview of food and exercise in a diary

Do you find it difficult to keep track of how much food your dog has eaten in a day? Or are you not sure whether your dog has had enough exercise that day? Then keeping a diary can help.

Write down every portion of food, including treats, in detail. Also note when and for how long the dog was active. This will help you to organize your daily routine and approach the diet in a more structured way.

Tip 3: Ball or cuddling instead of treats

Most dog parents use a treat as praise. After successfully carrying out a command or as a sign of your dog's love, you can also simply cuddle your dog extensively. Or play a round with your dog's favorite toy, e.g. a ball.

A nice side effect of playing with the ball is the additional exercise. However, make sure that your dog does not change direction too quickly or hit the ground with its legs outstretched. Both can lead to joint damage.

Our tip: Instead of throwing the ball, you can also simply roll it. The fun factor remains the same, but the risk of joint damage is reduced.

Conclusion

• Obesity in dogs is a widespread problem. There are numerous health consequences that can reduce quality of life.
• Some diseases can lead to obesity, but can also be promoted by obesity.
• The Body Condition Score (BCS) helps to identify obesity.
• You are responsible for ensuring that your dog loses weight successfully and healthily. To do this, it is important that you increase the energy requirement on the one hand. And on the other hand, reduce the energy intake.
• Being overweight puts a strain on your dog's joints. It therefore makes sense to support stressed joints, especially in the case of osteoarthritis, and to promote mobility with joint tablets.

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