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Obesity
Introduction
A survey has shown that some 25 percent of dogs which visit veterinary surgeries are fatter than they should be.
Of these, 4 percent were described as being gross, that is, there was an obvious incapacity due to excess fat. Suprisingly, less than 2 percent of all dogs were classified as unduly thin. Labradors were much the most likely to become obese, followed in descending order by Cairns, Cocker Spaniles, Dachshunds, Shetland sheepdogs, Basset hounds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and Beagles. Germen Shepherd dogs and Greyhounds were the least likely to become too fat. Individuals which are neutered are about twice as likely to become obese.
Fat dog
Fat is no fun
It isn't fun being too heavy, it isn't for dogs any more than it is for us. Being grossly overweight due to an accumulation of body fat brings with it health complications as well, such as diabetes mellitus. Cats though, are more careful feeders than dogs; less than 10 percent are believed to be obese, and they do seem to be able to tolerate fatness better than dogs.
Dogs, cats and people who carry extra pounds of body fat with them increase their chances of circulatory disease and of doing considerable damage to their joints. Not only that, they also decrease their chances of a peaceful old age.
Why do they become too fat?
Why then, do some dogs become too fat? Dogs are, on the whole, what might be termed oppurtunist feeders, they eat as if every meal was their last - which is hardly the case in most homes. Once the overweight state has been reached, very fat dogs, just like very fat people, do not necessarily eat very much. They have however, taken in more food than they need at some time.
All food provides energy, usually measured as calories. If more energy is taken in than used, the remaining energy is stored as body fat. This then becomes a reserve which can be drawn upon and is the key to slimming. Fat can only come from food. Although spayed and castrated individuals are more likely to become obese, t his is only because they need less energy and probably make more efficient use of the food they eat. The result is that a little more care is needed in providing food supplies to neutered dogs and cats. Looked at another way though: neutered animals can be more economical to run!
How to prevent obesity?
Obesity is one of the easiest conditions to diagnose and you don't have to be a vet to spot it! Unfortunately owners don't usually attend clinics for their dog or cat's obesity. More often they present their animals with the complications of being too fat. It is important to make sure the extra weight is actually due to fat, although this is something most of us can diagnose before the dog walks in the door. However, we have to check that the dog's problems are not due to an accumulation of fluid or even pregnancy.
In order to reverse the situation the dog has to use up its body reserves of energy, that is the excess fat. To do this the dog has to take in less energy (calories) than it uses. This doesn't mean is has to be starved. In fact starvation can mean that the dog's muscles can be eroded to provide protein. Better to find simply the point where food intake is just less than energy needs. This way a steady, safe and effective weight loss can be achieved. The following plan can be adopted to bring this about:
• Examine and weigh the dog carefully
• Find out what weight it should be, and set a target weight
• Allocate 60 percent of the food (preferably as a proprietary obesity diet) a dog of the target weight would need
• Provide absolutely nothing else except drinking water
• Weigh carefully every weake on the same scales at the same time of day
• Every week there is no weight loss, reduce the allowed amount by 20 percent until there is
• Then, usually after eight to twelve weeks, a maintenance diet has to be allocated once the target weight has been achieved
• Follow up examinations are crucial to keeping the dog in shape.
In the end it is up to you as the owner to judge if your dog is getting enough food or too much. It is not difficult to do so, adjustments can then be made before it becomes a major slimming operation.
Your dog will be the better for it.
