Dog Fancy Magazine

You and Your Dog’s Weight

December 2003

Although his name is Grizzly, this Newfoundland/Labrador mix wasn’t supposed to weigh as much as a bear. But he did. Owner Vicki Romero of Roy, Wash., realized her beloved shelter rescue, tipping the scales at 120 pounds, needed to slim down.

"I didn’t pay attention," says Romero, the owner of six other dogs. "The dogs were just eating and eating. [Grizzly] was just a big round blob."

Grizzly is not alone. According to the "Nutritional Requirements of Cats and Dog" report from the National Academy of Science National Research Council, one in four pets is overweight. Other studies have shown that up to 50 percent of dogs in America are fat. And it’s our fault. Since dogs are unable to open the pantry and fix themselves a snack, we are the ones controlling their food intake, and thus making them obese.

In short, we are literally loving our dogs to death.

Research has shown that corpulent canines live, on average, two years less than their thinner counterparts. Now, groundbreaking studies illustrate a direct link between extra weight and cellular destruction and organ damage. Basically, fat kills.

But slight behavioral changes on our part can dramatically increase the quality and quantity of our pets’ lives. Yet for the most part, we’re not doing anything about it. Why not?

OWNER BEHAVIOR

Dogs are surrogate children to many people, say experts, and we treat them as we would our biological offspring. Treats soothe hurts, food replaces quality time spent together, snacks pacify.

"They’re children in some cases, and that’s the reason [owners] indulge them, [but] not necessarily to the good of the pet," says Dr. James Morris, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Molecular and Bio Sciences. He is also an author of the report, "Nutritional Requirements of Cats and Dogs."

We often attach human-grade, complex emotions onto dogs and read too much into their behaviors.

"This is one of the evils of anthropomorphism–we forget they’re still dogs," says Alan Beck, director for the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

"We love them, they’re wonderful, but they’re dogs. They are not humans. We can do everything better if we appreciate them for what they are," says Dr. John E. Bauer, DVM, professor of Small Animal Medicine and Nutrition at Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine and the holder of the Mark L. Morris Professorship of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition. Bauer also co-authored the National Research Council’s report. "

With more and more Americans working outside of the home, dogs are left alone all day. Then it’s all about the guilt factor. Guilt eats away at dog owners who, in the evening, know they should walk or play with the dog, but feel too tired and stressed. To make up for the lack of time–and to avoid those sad brown eyes–owners may compensate by overfeeding the dog.

"They just want attention from you," says Deborah S. Greco, DVM, at New York City’s Animal Medical Center. She is also a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. "It doesn’t have to be food that’s the reward."

Bauer agrees that most dogs just want affection. "We interpret every signal from the dog as if it were hungry. We make the mistake of reading too much into their behaviors."

Humans are addicted to nurturing, say experts. We often nurture in toxic ways, such as using too much food to show love. The key is to find a way to nurture without being destructive.

"It’s nurturing to just say no," says Beck. "It’s nurturing to, rather than take the easy way out and give [the dog] some food, take two minutes and play fetch. The thing that’s really rewarding for the dog is you. You’re the real joy."

But to do that takes time, says Robin Woodley, DVM, is a holistic veterinarian on the big island of Hawaii. It is easier, and more immediately rewarding, to get a rush of excitement from your dog by popping a jerky treat in his mouth instead of brushing or playing ball with him. It’s a quick-fix for us.

"It’s easier to use food as the opiate," says Bauer.

Laziness factors into the picture, as well. Humans have adopted a couch-potato lifestyle with no exercise and poor eating habits.

"I used to say, ‘Feed them what you would eat.’ But I soon found out that’s not such a good idea," says Woodley.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Fat isn’t cute. "It’s the harbinger of bad habits that are starting," says Bauer.

It’s proven that obesity can kill your pet. Being overweight is related to compromised immune function, leaving the dog more prone to infectious diseases.

A recently completed study conducted by researchers at Nestlé Purina PetCare proved that dogs that are slimmer live longer. A group of 48 Labrador Retrievers was divided, with half being fed 25-percent less of the exact same food as the other half. This "Life Span" study found that the food-rationed dogs lived an average of 13.5 years, while the free eaters died at 11.2 years. Also, the leaner dogs displayed less early-onset signs of aging (graying muzzle, difficult mobility) and loss of lean muscle. So not only did the lean dogs live longer, they lived better and healthier lives, says Dan Christian, DVM, executive director of the Purina Pet Institute.

In September 2003, Purina researchers announced that the Life Span study proved a direct correlation between canine obesity and cellular damage.

"This increased intake of calories may be affecting [dogs] on a cellular level," says Christian, noting that increased glucose levels can harm the body. "Diet is not just the fat you see; it’s at the cellular level."

This means that damage is being done to organs and tissues when the body must cope with extra weight.

"You can view [obesity] as a sign of other conditions that may be underlying," says Christian. "It can lead to problems such as diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease. It’s the obesity that sets the stage for these [subsequent conditions] to occur."

Diabetes is a disease seen frequently in overweight dogs, as is arthritis and other skeletal issues like hip dysplasia and knee problems. Other health issues, such as heart ailments and high blood pressure, are seen in overweight dogs just as they are in overweight people.

WHAT TO DO?

"[I tell my clients] if you knew of something that could prolong your dog’s life by two years, would you do it?" asks Greco. Her clients inevitably say yes and ask for the name of the "magic pill." They are shocked when Greco says it’s all about losing weight. She quotes the Purina study: leaner dogs, on average, live longer.

The first thing dog owners should do is perform a physical assessment known as the body conditioning score. First, run your hands along the ribcage firmly, but without too much pressure. It should feel like "a stick on a picket fence," describes Bauer. You should be able to feel each of the dog’s ribs and the space between them. If not, your dog is too fat. Next, look at your dog from the side. Is the stomach tucked up slightly behind the ribcage, or is it dangling like a turkey waddle? Look at the dog from above. Does the waist indent and taper, creating an hourglass-like shape? Or does your dog look like a barrel?

Do this quick assessment twice a month to monitor your pet’s weight, recommends Bauer. Pay less attention to the numbers on the scale and focus more on the way your dog looks and feels to your touch.

If your dog feels more convex than concave, or if you have any concerns, it’s time to see your veterinarian. Together, you can devise a healthy and realistic weight-loss plan for your dog, including how much to feed and how often. Some veterinarians shy away from "diet" foods and recommend high-protein, high-quality meals in smaller portions. Other veterinarians believe that low-calorie, high-density foods will help the dog feel fuller faster. Ask your veterinarian what’s best for your individual dog.

Make sure you feed your dog the exact amounts prescribed. Greco says the biggest mistake people make is not understanding what a true serving looks like. Use level, not heaping, measurements, she says. Buy a food scale and learn what eight ounces really looks like. Make sure everyone, including children, knows how much and when the dog is to be fed.

John Snadden of Escondido, Calif., knew he’d have to do something when he adopted Baby from German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. The nine-year-old dog was too heavy, so Snadden rationed Baby’s food under the advice of his veterinarian, mixing high-quality kibble with a bit of canned food. He walked her two miles daily and monitored her treats. Within 10 weeks, Baby dropped from 130 to 118, and is as spry as ever.

Now King, an older dog just adopted from German Shepherd Rescue, is facing the same health issues. He needs to lose about 30 pounds, but Snadden has no doubt that his feeding and exercising regiment will help King accomplish that goal.

"You’ve got to use a lot of common sense," says Snadden. "You can’t starve them."

Don’t forget that what works for humans works for dogs, too: eat less, exercise more. Dogs must be exercised during the day, but it can be in the form of play. Throw the ball for him, play on the floor, take him to a dog park and let him run around. Of course, snapping on the leash and walking around the block is always a good choice, say experts.

Joan Hodak of Ewing, N.J., is a testament to the benefits of exercise. Her dog Nellie weighed 110 pounds when Hodak adopted her in November 2001. Knowing this Golden Retriever, now 5, needed to de-bulk, Hodak walked her four times a week while feeding reduced-calorie food.

"I always felt better when I came back," she said. "It’s good for her and it’s good for me, too."

Treats are not taboo, either. If you want to give snacks throughout the day, measure them out and subtract that amount from the kibble portions, says Greco. Just don’t forget snacks do count as part of the daily food allotment. Woodley advises treating with high-value raw foods, such as carrots. Or remove a portion of dinnertime kibble and dole it out as a treat throughout the day.

Hodak watched her own behavior when it came to giving Nellie too many snacks. Instead of slipping the pup a jerky treat, Nellie "got my praise instead." Today, at a fit 80 pounds, Nellie is shopping for a new collar. Her old one is three inches too big.

OUTCOME

Little changes on our part add up to big results for the dogs, as Romero and Grizzly can also attest to. She worked with her vet to devise a proper eating schedule using a weight-loss formula dog food. Twice a day, Romero would run with Grizzly, playing Frisbee or catch. At first, 10 minutes was as long as he could go before exhaustion took over. Today, at a svelte 93 pounds, Grizzly can sprint around the yard for 45 minutes without tiring, even leaping three feet into the air like a puppy.

"He’s a completely different dog [than he was three months ago]," Romero says.