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In part two of this two-part series on canine obesity, Dr. Karen Becker discusses the reason your dog might be overweight and what you can – and should – do about it.
Dr. Becker's Comments:
In part 1 of this series we discussed the number one culprit contributing to the canine obesity epidemic – the pet food industry. Now we'll move on to other big offenders: pet owners and veterinarians.
In part 1 of this series we discussed the number one culprit contributing to the canine obesity epidemic – the pet food industry.
Now we'll move on to other big offenders: pet owners and veterinarians.
The second major contributor to an overweight dog is the owner. That would be you. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if you have a heavy pet the fact is you're contributing to her medical condition. The first thing you should do if your dog is overweight is take a look at how you're feeding her. If you're providing her with an all day all-you-can-eat buffet – meaning there's a constantly refilled bowl of food down for her at all times – that practice must stop. You can't control your pup's food portions with this type of feeding schedule, and the only way to diet your dog down to a healthy size is through portion control.
The second major contributor to an overweight dog is the owner. That would be you.
I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if you have a heavy pet the fact is you're contributing to her medical condition.
The first thing you should do if your dog is overweight is take a look at how you're feeding her. If you're providing her with an all day all-you-can-eat buffet – meaning there's a constantly refilled bowl of food down for her at all times – that practice must stop.
You can't control your pup's food portions with this type of feeding schedule, and the only way to diet your dog down to a healthy size is through portion control.
I can't stress this enough -- you must use a measuring cup when you feed your dog. Please don't use a coffee scoop. Or a coffee mug. And put down that empty Slurpee cup. You need to use a kitchen measuring cup to portion out the food going into your dog's bowl. Does that mean you'll be feeding your pup less than his calorie requirement? It does, and he'll be hungry. Which means you'll have to practice some tough love with him. Keep the end goal in mind. You're doing what's right for your pup, and he'll be healthier for it in the long run. You'll need to feed your dog a calorie deficit – fewer calories than a maintenance serving – in order to bring his weight down. This will require careful, measured portion control, and don't forget to account for those treats! Many dog owners don't realize the calories from that last little bit of pizza crust or a nibble of bread from your sandwich can add up fast – especially if you have a small breed dog. Believe it or not, an 8 pound Chihuahua's stomach is about the size of a walnut. A dog this size needs just a small amount of food to maintain her energy requirements. If you're sharing bites of your own food or dog treats with your pup in addition to her portion-controlled meals each day, then whether you own a Yorkie or a Great Dane, there's a very good chance your pooch is consuming too many calories.
I can't stress this enough -- you must use a measuring cup when you feed your dog.
Please don't use a coffee scoop. Or a coffee mug. And put down that empty Slurpee cup. You need to use a kitchen measuring cup to portion out the food going into your dog's bowl.
Does that mean you'll be feeding your pup less than his calorie requirement? It does, and he'll be hungry. Which means you'll have to practice some tough love with him.
Keep the end goal in mind. You're doing what's right for your pup, and he'll be healthier for it in the long run.
You'll need to feed your dog a calorie deficit – fewer calories than a maintenance serving – in order to bring his weight down. This will require careful, measured portion control, and don't forget to account for those treats!
Many dog owners don't realize the calories from that last little bit of pizza crust or a nibble of bread from your sandwich can add up fast – especially if you have a small breed dog.
Believe it or not, an 8 pound Chihuahua's stomach is about the size of a walnut. A dog this size needs just a small amount of food to maintain her energy requirements.
If you're sharing bites of your own food or dog treats with your pup in addition to her portion-controlled meals each day, then whether you own a Yorkie or a Great Dane, there's a very good chance your pooch is consuming too many calories.
Even if your dog is too heavy, I don't recommend 'light' varieties of pet food. As we saw in part 1, your dog can actually gain weight eating a food marketed as diet or light. These foods can be higher in calories per cup than regular varieties – they can also contain a very high percentage of carbs your dog's body will store as fat. Light varieties of pet food also often provide less nutritional value than other varieties. You certainly don't want to end up with an even heavier, nutritionally deficient pet. If you feed your pup commercial dog food, I recommend you choose a regular maintenance variety that is moderate in fat and higher in protein. Then feed the portion that best complements your pet's energy expenditure. Don't be fooled by pet food marketing claims about 'light' or 'diet' foods. The trick is to read the fine print on the bag, go online to the manufacturer's website, or call their toll-free number and learn how many calories per cup that specific food contains.
Even if your dog is too heavy, I don't recommend 'light' varieties of pet food.
As we saw in part 1, your dog can actually gain weight eating a food marketed as diet or light. These foods can be higher in calories per cup than regular varieties – they can also contain a very high percentage of carbs your dog's body will store as fat.
Light varieties of pet food also often provide less nutritional value than other varieties. You certainly don't want to end up with an even heavier, nutritionally deficient pet.
If you feed your pup commercial dog food, I recommend you choose a regular maintenance variety that is moderate in fat and higher in protein. Then feed the portion that best complements your pet's energy expenditure.
Don't be fooled by pet food marketing claims about 'light' or 'diet' foods. The trick is to read the fine print on the bag, go online to the manufacturer's website, or call their toll-free number and learn how many calories per cup that specific food contains.
Another way you might be contributing to your dog's weight problem is through insufficient exercise. Lots of folks get home at the end of the day feeling overworked and exhausted. Or it's cold and dark outside on winter evenings. Or sometimes, you just don't feel like exercising your dog. What I hear often from dog owners at my Natural Pet clinic is, "But I DO exercise my dog! We run around the house! And sometimes, we play fetch in the backyard!" I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but running around the house or a quick game of fetch in your backyard won't provide adequate exercise for your pup. Your dog needs to elevate his heart rate for a minimum of 20 minutes consistently throughout the week, and the only way to get it done is through heart-thumping, muscle-building, calorie burning aerobic exercise. This means you must put your four-legged buddy on his leash and get moving. Really moving – not the sniff-piddle-dawdle, Sunday-walk-in-the-park variety. Your dog's heart rate must be elevated for an adequate amount of time, several times a week in order to move his body into a fat-burning state.
Another way you might be contributing to your dog's weight problem is through insufficient exercise.
Lots of folks get home at the end of the day feeling overworked and exhausted. Or it's cold and dark outside on winter evenings. Or sometimes, you just don't feel like exercising your dog.
What I hear often from dog owners at my Natural Pet clinic is, "But I DO exercise my dog! We run around the house! And sometimes, we play fetch in the backyard!"
I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but running around the house or a quick game of fetch in your backyard won't provide adequate exercise for your pup.
Your dog needs to elevate his heart rate for a minimum of 20 minutes consistently throughout the week, and the only way to get it done is through heart-thumping, muscle-building, calorie burning aerobic exercise.
This means you must put your four-legged buddy on his leash and get moving. Really moving – not the sniff-piddle-dawdle, Sunday-walk-in-the-park variety. Your dog's heart rate must be elevated for an adequate amount of time, several times a week in order to move his body into a fat-burning state.
Yep, it's true. When it comes to pet obesity in the U.S., many veterinarians are part of the problem and not the solution. If your vet has told you that spaying or neutering will not affect your dog's weight, you've been misinformed. Many vets insist spaying and neutering doesn't change a dog's metabolism. But common sense tells us that when the sex hormone-producing organs are removed, metabolism does indeed change. It slows down. I spayed a Newfoundland at Natural Pet back in November. I saw her again in January. In about eight weeks' time, she'd gained 22 pounds – over 10 pounds a month since removal of her reproductive organs. That is a very rapid weight gain. When I mentioned her weight during her visit, her owner commented that the dog still looked good despite her size. And I agreed, but went on to explain that at a weight gain of 10 pounds per month, by next year when she's three, she'll be obese and at significantly increased risk for a myriad of weight-related health problems. In my view, veterinarians should be honest and straightforward about the effect of spaying and neutering on a dog's metabolism. Doing so will let pet parents know when they pick their pup up from surgery that it's time to re-evaluate caloric intake and implement portion control.
Yep, it's true.
When it comes to pet obesity in the U.S., many veterinarians are part of the problem and not the solution.
If your vet has told you that spaying or neutering will not affect your dog's weight, you've been misinformed.
Many vets insist spaying and neutering doesn't change a dog's metabolism. But common sense tells us that when the sex hormone-producing organs are removed, metabolism does indeed change. It slows down.
I spayed a Newfoundland at Natural Pet back in November. I saw her again in January. In about eight weeks' time, she'd gained 22 pounds – over 10 pounds a month since removal of her reproductive organs. That is a very rapid weight gain.
When I mentioned her weight during her visit, her owner commented that the dog still looked good despite her size. And I agreed, but went on to explain that at a weight gain of 10 pounds per month, by next year when she's three, she'll be obese and at significantly increased risk for a myriad of weight-related health problems.
In my view, veterinarians should be honest and straightforward about the effect of spaying and neutering on a dog's metabolism. Doing so will let pet parents know when they pick their pup up from surgery that it's time to re-evaluate caloric intake and implement portion control.
Just as with people, the dreaded 'midlife spread' is quite common in dogs. If you're still feeding your three year-old dog the same portion you fed him when he was just a year, you're probably over feeding. Many breeds are prone to weight gain over time, including: Beagles Cocker Spaniels Golden Retrievers Labrador Retrievers Terriers Basset Hounds Dachshunds If your dog is a breed predisposed to gain weight, you should be very careful not only to count her calories, but also to pop her on a scale regularly to make sure her weight's not inching up by a half-pound here or a few ounces there. Dogs can gain weight much like people do – slowly, but consistently. So weighing your pup regularly is an excellent way to keep track of her size and adjust portions and exercise accordingly.
Just as with people, the dreaded 'midlife spread' is quite common in dogs.
If you're still feeding your three year-old dog the same portion you fed him when he was just a year, you're probably over feeding.
Many breeds are prone to weight gain over time, including:
If your dog is a breed predisposed to gain weight, you should be very careful not only to count her calories, but also to pop her on a scale regularly to make sure her weight's not inching up by a half-pound here or a few ounces there.
Dogs can gain weight much like people do – slowly, but consistently. So weighing your pup regularly is an excellent way to keep track of her size and adjust portions and exercise accordingly.
Undiagnosed hormone disorders can be another reason for your dog's weight gain, and this is one more area where many veterinarians drop the ball. Adrenal and thyroid diseases are extremely common in the pet population. And while some veterinarians, like me, are very aware of the impact of endocrine disorders on weight gain, many are not. If your dog is overweight despite your best efforts to keep him fit and your vet hasn't worked with you to identify potential metabolic issues, ask him or her to check for adrenal and thyroid disorders. If you're dieting and exercising your overweight pup but his weight isn't budging, a metabolic condition could be the reason.
Undiagnosed hormone disorders can be another reason for your dog's weight gain, and this is one more area where many veterinarians drop the ball.
Adrenal and thyroid diseases are extremely common in the pet population. And while some veterinarians, like me, are very aware of the impact of endocrine disorders on weight gain, many are not.
If your dog is overweight despite your best efforts to keep him fit and your vet hasn't worked with you to identify potential metabolic issues, ask him or her to check for adrenal and thyroid disorders.
If you're dieting and exercising your overweight pup but his weight isn't budging, a metabolic condition could be the reason.
How should you feel if your dog is too heavy? I have pet owners tell me, "You know, I realize my Lab is five or 10 pounds overweight – but she's only four, and she looks good and feels good." And I don't disagree. A slightly chunky four year-old medium to large breed dog can look good and feel good. For now. A younger, larger breed pup can be overweight and not have many, or any, current health problems. But if the weight doesn't come off before that same dog hits midlife, health issues will come into play and by her geriatric years, that extra weight becomes a tremendous metabolic risk. Excess weight on middle aged to elderly dogs can cause a wide range of disorders, including: Premature arthritis Musculoskeletal ailments like disc and cervical neck disease Back problems ACL and soft tissue ruptures Ligament and tendon tears Heart and respiratory disease For example, weight gain causes snoring. If you notice your overweight dog has started to snore, you might assume it's no big deal. In fact, snoring is an indicator of a respiratory condition in the making. Other health problems – skin conditions, diabetes, immune system dysfunction and even certain types of cancer – have all been linked to obesity in dogs. Hopefully if you weren't convinced before that your overweight pooch needs attention, you now feel motivated to help your perfect-but-chubby canine pal reach his ideal body weight.
How should you feel if your dog is too heavy?
I have pet owners tell me, "You know, I realize my Lab is five or 10 pounds overweight – but she's only four, and she looks good and feels good."
And I don't disagree. A slightly chunky four year-old medium to large breed dog can look good and feel good. For now.
A younger, larger breed pup can be overweight and not have many, or any, current health problems.
But if the weight doesn't come off before that same dog hits midlife, health issues will come into play and by her geriatric years, that extra weight becomes a tremendous metabolic risk.
Excess weight on middle aged to elderly dogs can cause a wide range of disorders, including:
For example, weight gain causes snoring. If you notice your overweight dog has started to snore, you might assume it's no big deal. In fact, snoring is an indicator of a respiratory condition in the making.
Other health problems – skin conditions, diabetes, immune system dysfunction and even certain types of cancer – have all been linked to obesity in dogs.
Hopefully if you weren't convinced before that your overweight pooch needs attention, you now feel motivated to help your perfect-but-chubby canine pal reach his ideal body weight.
I would like to see the answers to the others' questions. I don't understand having an area for comments that doesn't get responded to.
I have a Cavalier King Charles who has normally been between 18 and 22 lbs. His last visit to the vet showed him weighing in at 27 lbs., which is 5 lbs. overweight for him. He gets fed the same as he always has, but I do realize he's getting older. I was recently told to add one or two cans of green beans to his diet to help him lose weight... but then I see in one of the comments that one lady already adds green beans to her dogs diet and it it still overweight.
Also, we have 3 dogs total. Sparty (our Cavalier), Milo (Min. Dauchshund) and Maggie (Min. Chihuahua). Milo is 11 lbs. Maggie is 4 lbs. Their weight is fine. How do I go about feeding Sparty separately from them? Admittedly, we do fill their bowls once a day and allow them to eat from them all day. Perhaps this is part of the problem, as Sparty does tend to "hover" around the bowls. (He doesn't prevent the others from eating, nor does he act aggressively towards them when they eat.) They all have "lounges" and Maggie and Milo snuggle in one all the time. Sparty, however, who was crate trained as a pup, will go to his crate where - I suppose - he is most comfortable. It is in the same room as the food and water bowls. (I have no where else to put the crates.)
We moved last January and don't have a fenced yard yet. However, we have a lot more inside room for them to run around (it doesn't take much room for these guys!) and our great room is set up so that they have an "oval" around the furniture and they do take their opportunities chasing each other around and around several times a day. In fact, our cat joins in too! LOL! So exercise is not totally an issue. We don't take walks anymore, as I am disabled and use a walker... but it has been this way for over 5 years.
Would love some advice. Thanks!
p.s. They are fed Pedigree for Small Breed Dogs.
Just happened to think... Sparty was 9 years old in October. Maggie is 7 and Milo is 4.
We have tried several other brands of dog food. Since they have common bowls, it was a challenge to find something that they all seemed to want to eat. Blue Buffalo was liked, but OMG! The gas was HORRIBLE! We also tried Eukanuba, which Sparty would hardly touch, Natural Balance and several others.
I feed my two Shelties twice a day (morning and night)with the recipes from Dr Becker's book...shop.mercola.com/product/dr-beckers-real-food-for-healthy-dogs-and-cat..
I never leave any kind of food out for them after their meals; I don't want them grazing all day long because I want their digestive juices to have a rest AND I don't want to exercise them on a full or partially full stomach. What isn't eaten then (highly unlikely) I put in the fridge. I give them 20 minutes for each mealtime.
Exercise:is there anyone in your neighbourhood who could walk your dogs? Family? Council?
Rosy >^..^<
What are the best things to put into a sheltie collie's food when being made at home rather than bought ? I use chicken or beef without fat and add eggs , oats , spinach , carrots , sweet potatoes green beans , or broccoli .. sometimes the broccoli causes gas which gives him a bellyache , so I have not been adding this lately .. Need to find out what else he can have that won't hurt him .. He seems to have a very sensitive stomach .. He hurt his leg this past winter because he was overweight . We are cutting way back on food and he is loosing but not as much as I had hoped and he is always crying from being hungry .. He is very attached to me and signals me when I have health issues . Will not go out without me there with him .. He worries about me all the time . I can't get him to change that .. We have a connection I don't even understand ..I love him dearly and want him happy and healthy .. Please help ..
Folks, I have an overweight beagle and a normal weighted beagle. I try to walk my dogs daily or take them to the dog park, but when its bad weather or I can't go for some reason, I have a small treadmill in my house and I have treadmill trained my dogs. They seem to like it. Its not hard to train them and that way they can get their aerobic exercise indoors if necessary. Now for Mama....
I know Dr. Becker is right about over weight dogs, As a dog owner myself, I think just a small bite of my blueberry muffin in the morning wont hurt my dog! I have a 10 month old terrier mix dog that I got threw adoptions , at five months old she weighed in at 18 lbs. now at 10 months she weighs 23 lbs. I feed her Vital raw foods and a no grain chow put out by Blue.
It is hard for me to not give her a bit of what I eat, her big brown eyes get me every time I eat, I want her to live a long happy life, & will try harder to limit the amount of food she gets starting today! My dog is a bit bigger then a cocker spaniel in height, her name is TESS she all yellow with med .long hair. her eyes are orange with yellow to match her coat, My age stops me from given Tess the run she wants & needs, I let her run in the back fenced in yard & she will run all around there at least a dozen times, I also take her to Good Citizen dog class for training , I can walk her, But cannot run her, at age 70 you tend to slow done a bit!
I will make a better effort in the amount of food Tess gets. Thank you Dr. Becker for your sound advice!
Mary
Mary, perhaps this will help. I enjoy giving my big (and getting old) hound treats from my plate but I know it's unhealthy for a variety of reasons. I feed a high quality kibble. When I fix my plate, I slip a few pieces of his kibble into a napkin and carry to the table. When I finish eating and he's looking with those big eyes, I make a production..."OH! You want some?" Perfect...he & I both get our needs met. Bottom line - thet really just want attention and to know the "pack leader" is looking out for them.
PLEASE HELP MY "huge" Yorkie-originally 5 lb-now 15 yrs and 20#-all on belly.I rescued her from someone that allowed her to have approx SEVENTY puppies!! Was given food from their boys scraped into her bowl(had all dayfeeding).Not spayed.I see no 'aging' signs (arth,etc), but she has trouble breathing, walking,sleeps alot, etc. I had gotten 4 lbs off her in 2 years..kept getting into mom's cat food when we visit-so she's back to 20#.fast.we block her now while they eat then let her lick the empty bowl. I cut back on her food to where she's not licking the floors for food! I took bowl away and feed her in am and 5pm. I give her 1/3c Iams smallest kibble-seems to work best for her w/1Tbs(Pedigree)canned and lots of green beans for fiber(she loves them)2x/d. Any less and she's hounding me for food,so when I think I can get away with it, I give a little less to wean her back whenever I can. She might get oneTINY bit of burger if I occasionally eat one and her treats are off-brand 'greenies' or small dog treat Mom sneaks to her, but only once/day!(Had to trainMom)She drinks lots of water-always has-and her muscles are strong, etc. seems healthy other than the obesity problems. Her urine and bowel functions seem normal(that's Y I put her on Iams & can get at Walmart. I just don't know what else to do diet wise or if I'm making it worse. I tried other weight mgmt type ideas I read about.no good. Exhausted my resources. I am disabled and 66, but I can get her around one block...that's about it.No interest in toys(I think any reminder of a puppy terrifies her! lol)I have no extra $ to take her to vet or procedures,but love this little gal and give her massages every morning and more. I know love is going to vet, but if I can at least do something better with her diet while trying to save, I'd appreciate it. Have a treadmill I'm trying to get her to use, but no interest.She's very loving and happy.I want her healthy as long as possible. I need her. THANKS!
Tough love. If you really love your pup, you are going to have to demonstrate very tough love. Look at this...if you had a 5 yo child with cancer - had to have chemo, was horribly sick...hair loss, IV's, shots, etc., but you knew it would save her life...what would you do?
First...as noted in article by Dr., absolutely measure in a measuring cup her daily portion per recommended guidelines, then decrease that by just a few kibbles. Try to get a much higher quality food. I'm retired/fixed income, too, but found feeding a high quality, protein rich food was actually cheaper in the long run. I was feeding 2.25 cups of a decent food, but now feeding 1.75 cups of new food (totals for day). Stop giving anything other than kibble. Try to get off the canned stuff. Look at ingredients - mostly junk. And those teeny-tiny bites of your food? That, to an itsy-bitsy yorkie is about like you drinking a milkshake every night. Tough love. But it will pay off. And after just 3-4 weeks it will become her new norm.
I could write a book about what goes on in this house concerning our chiweenies, Elvis and Priscilla. Calgon, take me away.
I would love for Dr.Becker to comment on this. I have a 10 year old Beagle who I feed Dr.Beckers,Real Food recipes to.Cooked(meat)of course,my Beagle won't touch any meat that's raw. Veggies are kept raw except sweet potatoes. Meat is cooled then I puree and add the mineral mix and oils that are called for in the book. I also use Dr.Mercolas Probiotics for dogs which I wish was in a easier to scoop container. My Beagles skin and coat looks great. Usually by July,hot spots and flaky skin(yes, he is allergic to fleas,haven't seen any yet)So, what is my problem.I've cut back on his food because 2 years ago he started putting on weight.We walk but,only every other day. It's been a month since I cut back. No change in weight. Then my husband says "Did you know Max(beagle)was eating Hoots(bealer)poop?" She is my sons dog who is living with us.She does not get the same diet as Max. She is fed Nutro Holistic kibble.I have never had this problem that I know of before.Can I add something to Hoots food that will make him not want to eat it. Any suggestions would be great!
Hello, Any recommendations for a mixed Beagle,that gets grain free home cooked meals, if I dont feed her an amount that keeps her at about 5 pounds overweight, she will eat feces of my other dog. Sure I keep the yard clean daily, but theres always those times where shes quicker then I. But also there must be a reason that she needs the extra food since she wont eat the feces on this amount of food. She gets enzymes and all needed supplements.Her thyroid is normal.Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
My dog Panda eats only the dry dog food I order from you and she
has a stifel in one of her hind legs from being allowed to jump off
of a moving 4-wheeler in her younger cow dog days. She and I walk
1 mile a day and she goes on atleast one jont by herself in our near
by pastures. WHAT DO I SAY to a vet to get the proper hormone test
for Panda?
THANKS,
Brenda in N. Central Idaho USA
freo72003@yahoo.com
I'm not sure what food you are talking about...we don't sell food at this site, can you tell me what food you are feeding her (the exact name)? If she is overweight you will need to reduce the portion you are feeding her and consider weaning her onto a different, more calorie correct/species appropriate food. Good job for walking her daily! Ask your vet to check her thyroid function, if you are already feeding her below her Kcal requirements and she's still too heavy.
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