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Home » How to lose weight safely » For Pets’ Sake: Preventing canine obesity is easier than solving it later – The Daily Progress

The weather is warming up, and bathing suit season is fast approaching. Even if your furry friend will not be strutting her stuff in a bikini, keeping a healthy weight is very important for the dog in your life.

Statistics show that more than 50 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight. Just like in humans, obesity in dogs predisposes them to many health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes and pancreatitis. We even can see respiratory issues in the short-nosed breeds. Studies confirm that overweight animals develop serious disease or die an average of 1.5 years before their ideal-weight counterparts.

What constitutes an obese dog? This varies tremendously (as do dogs) and there is no specific BMI calculation, as there is for people.

One easy test for owners to apply at home is, Can you feel his ribs? In general, if you can find your dogs ribs easily, but not see them, youre on the right track. Your veterinarian uses a body-scoring system and can give you a more specific number, but you can get a quick idea the next time you pet Fido. As little as 1 to 2 pounds can thickly cover the ribs in a small dog.

The best way to avoid obesity is to monitor weight closely from the beginning. Overweight puppies often become overweight adults, and it is much easier to maintain a healthy weight than to lose it later.

Ask your veterinarian about the appropriate volume of food for your puppy, as well as when to transition to an adult food. We do not want to underfeed a growing animal, but it is easy for your dog to gain weight on a high-calorie puppy food, especially once he or she is neutered or spayed.

What can you do if your pet is already overweight? Just as in people, weight loss occurs when calories burned exceeds calories taken in. This means controlling the diet and increasing exercise.

It is important to remember that exercise alone is rarely sufficient. True weight loss requires reducing the calories your dog is consuming. A healthy weight-loss plan is most safely done under the guidance of your veterinarian. First, you must have an accurate measure of all the food and treats your pet gets every day. (And dont forget any human food you give or that your dog helpfully cleans off the carpet for you.) Bring this information, as well as labels of your diet, to your veterinarian. He or she will calculate the calories your pet needs daily and then help formulate a plan for weight loss.

Initially we aim for 1 to 2 percent weight loss per week. Sometimes, all that is necessary is reducing treats or swapping out large or high-calorie treats (like bacon jerky) for smaller, lower-calorie ones. Many dogs are perfectly happy with baby carrots, a piece of their own kibble or mini rice cakes for treats.

If decreasing food volume is also necessary, we have to be careful that your pet is still getting enough protein, vitamins and minerals needed for normal bodily functions. In some situations, your dog may even need a prescription weight-loss diet (as opposed to an over-the-counter lite diet). There are several advantages to a prescription diet, but mainly they decrease calories while making sure the body is getting enough nutrition so that your furry friend isnt acting hungry all the time. Your veterinarian will work with you to pick the right one for your specific pet.

Once the weight starts dropping, you can increase doggie exercise. That may include lengthening your daily walks a little at a time, or more playtime with balls or other toys.

So take a serious moment right now to feel for Fidos ribs and, if they are hard to find, trust your veterinarian to help you with a weight-loss plan and regular follow-ups. Once Fido reaches his goal, you can re-formulate the plan for maintenance and enjoy bathing suit season with your healthier pet.

Dr. Emily Whitmore works at Albemarle Veterinary Health Care Center on Westfield Road, which is an AAFP Certified Feline Friendly Practice. Her veterinary interests include preventative medicine, soft tissue surgery and training to be a certified veterinary acupuncturist. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and then relaxing with her hound mix, Kona.

For Pets Sake

For Pets Sake is written by the members of the Jefferson Area Veterinary Medical Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of all area pets. Visit javma.net for more pet health information, or to find the perfect veterinarian for your pet.

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For Pets' Sake: Preventing canine obesity is easier than solving it later - The Daily Progress

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Home » How to lose weight safely » For Pets’ Sake: Preventing canine obesity is easier than solving it later – The Daily Progress