OBESITY IN DOGS: A Major Health Threat in Pet Dogs

OBESITY IN DOGS: A Major Health Threat in Pet Dogs

Pet obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in our country.Obesity in companion animals is a serious health concern, resulting in a shorter life span and greater disease morbidity. As per an estimate, 25-44% pet dogs in the world are overweight. Even in India, a sedentary life style and poor dietary habits have resulted in the growing incidences of the obesity in the companion animals. It is estimated that one in two animals will be overweight by 2013, if the trend continues at the current rate. Obesity in dogs is a vicious circle, that is, a dog that has gained weight has reduced physical activity, thereby making it all the more difficult for the canine to lose weight. Moreover, most dog owners do not even realize that their pets are overweight, until they are taken to the veterinarian for other reasons. Dogs may become overweight for many reasons. Whether the obesity is due to simple Overfeeding, reduced physical activity or as a result of a disease process, the bottom line is the same: the dog is taking in more calories than he is using. Regardless of the cause of obesity, the owner is ultimately responsible for regulating the dog’s caloric intake and use, and in seeking veterinary assistance in maintaining the dog at the optimal weight. There are varied reasons behind this epidemic. Some breeds seem to be more effected than others. For example, Dobermans don’t seem to put on much weight at all. Labradors, on the other hand, are a different story. There are several health implications of the Problems of Obesity in dogs.

Obesity is one of the most significant human healthcare issue and the one often shared by pet dogs. Canine obesity refers to an excess of white adipose tissue and is normally the result of energy intake exceeding energy expenditure over an extended time period, which has developed to the point where health and welfare of companion pet is adversely affected. Obesity is a frequently encountered condition in pet animal practice and arguably the most common form of malnutrition. Dogs that are overfed as well as those that lack the ability to exercise or have a tendency to retain weight are the most at risk for becoming obese. While obesity can occur in dogs of all ages, the condition is most commonly seen in middle-aged dogs between the ages of 5 and 10. Neutered and indoor dogs also tend to have a higher risk of becoming obese.

Recent research has indicated a link between excess body weight and disease. Studies have revealed that prevalence of overweight dogs is markedly larger among overweight pet parents than among normal weight owners. Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Increased adiposity can cause metabolic derangements including insulin resistance and also affect renal function and health. Obesity also predisposes pet dogs to orthopedic disease like osteoarthritis, humeral condylar fractures and cranial cruciate ligament rupture (in cocker spaniels) and it also increases risk of intervertebral disc disease. Obesity is also an important risk factor for the development of tracheal collapse in small dogs and can aggravate brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Obese dogs are at significantly higher risk of heat-stroke. Obesity may also affect heart function with detrimental effects on cardiac rhythm, increased left ventricular volume, blood pressure and plasma volume. Few studies have reported association between obesity and mammary carcinoma and increased risk of developing transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in dogs.

It is the responsibility of pet owners to fulfill all the biological needs of their pet dogs, ranging among others from basic nutrition to the properly enriched social environment and activities and necessary veterinary healthcare. When pet parents fail in one or the other area of responsible ownership, the consequences can affect negatively the welfare of dogs. Being obese or overweight, which  is a multi-causal condition, leads to lessened life quality and decreased life expectancy in both humans and dogs and is also considered as one of those serious canine welfare problems, where the primary causation can be attributed to the neglectful or erroneous husbandry practices adopted by the pet owners.

Conditions Caused or Complicated by Obesity:

The conditions caused or complicated by obesity include decreased life expectancy (obese dogs live 2-years less compared with non-obese paired littermates), increased incidence of hip dysplasia and degenerative joint disease, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, reduced immunity, exercise and heat intolerance, hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia, increased incidence of pancreatitis, dystocia and possibly decreased fertility, hypertension, increased incidence of mammary tumours and transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, diabetes mellitus, skin fold dermatitis, difficulty with performing surgical procedures, increased morbidity and mortality during and after anaesthesia. Some of the more common diseases and conditions which can contribute to obesity in the dog are discussed below.

1. Food type, availability and palatability: While some dogs are choosy and eat only when they are hungry, some eat whatever is available to them and look out for more, irrespective of the hunger pangs. Feeding your dog all the time is a sure-shot way of making it overweight. Also, the type of food that you are giving your dog directly affects the weight of a dog. Table scraps, treats (pizza, burger, fried chicken, ice-cream, chocolates, potato chips etc.) and high-energy dog foods can easily contribute to obesity.
2. Activity level: Activity level plays a major role in determining the caloric needs of a dog and thus has tendency to become overweight. An active dog will use more calories. In addition, an active dog’s mental state may make him less likely to eat more because of boredom or stress.
3. Neutering and spaying: Neutering and spaying dogs lowers their metabolic rate such that they require fewer calories than intact dogs. In addition to changes in metabolism, androgens and estrogens (male and female sex hormones, respectively) stimulate roaming behavior and general physical activity. Estrogen, in addition, has the effect of decreasing appetite. Spayed animals never have the extra energy demands of pregnancy or raising a litter. Since their energy needs are less, if we feed them what we would feed intact dogs, neutered and spayed dogs will, of course, gain weight. In truth, most neutered and spayed dogs are overfed and under exercised and are twice as likely to become obese as intact dogs. Neutering and spaying themselves do not cause obesity; it is how we care for the dogs afterwards that predispose them to becoming overweight.
4. Breed predispositions: Some breeds have more chances of becoming overweight or obese than other breeds. Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) and Basset Hounds are some breeds that are more prone to gain weight.
5. Age: Dogs between 2 and 12 years of age, especially around the 6th year, are more likely to become overweight. While growing into adults, their tendency to become overweight reduces significantly. Young dogs, too, are less likely to gain weight since they are highly energetic and more active. A dog who has become overweight in less than two years will continue to remain overweight throughout its life, so weight reduction should occur as soon as possible and every effort should be made to maintain the optimum weight.
6. Social environment: Many people will acknowledge they eat more when they are stressed, and often eat less nutritious food. Animals have similar responses to stress. This stress could include new persons entering the household (e.g. a baby), changes in the household routine, etc. Some nutritionists feel dogs may overeat simply because they are bored and there literally is not much else to do. Some dogs may not get into the garbage can because they are hungry, but because they need something to do – the food they find is just a bonus. Dogs that live in multi-dog or even multi-pet households often tend to eat more and/or faster than those in one-dog households. The change in behavior when other animals are present is called ‘social facilitation.’ The competition for food, whether perceived or actual, makes some dogs much more focused on their food and can lead to obesity.
7. Medications: Various medications can influence metabolism and appetite. These include the glucocorticoids such as prednisone and dexamethasone, the barbiturates such as phenobarbital which is used to control epilepsy, and a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which include valium.
8. Illness: Certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, pancreatic cancer and pituitary problems, further enhance obesity in dogs.

Obese dogs can fall prey to a number of health problems. Following are just a few of Obesity issues in dogs :

1. Diabetes
2. Osteoarthritis
3. A short life (a study found that dogs with normal weight lived longer than obese dogs)
4. Inter-vertebral disk disease (it’s a very depressing condition which can render a dog immobile)
5. Heart problems
6. Breathing problems
7. Conditions like high cholesterol which in turn can lead to diseases like gastrointestinal disease and pancreatitis
8. Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease
9. Liver Disease
10. Chronic kidney disease

Why does a dog become obese?

1. Not taking out the dog for regular walking .An inactive pet can become obese in no time. Sadly many pet parents don’t have the time to take out their dog.
2. Feeding by multiple family members – several members of the same family feed the dog at different times
3. When we Feed sweets and other items with high sugar (for example cake)
4. Giving supplements which are high in fat

Symptoms

The following are some tips for identifying dog obesity signs and symptoms:-

Ø Significant weight gain in comparison with past weight and fat accumulation in the belly or lower back. Coming to weight gain, obesity can be simply defined as a body weight that is 30% more than the ideal body weight. Such ideal body weight may vary with the breed and age.

¨ Veterinarians adopt different techniques to determine the rate of obesity in dogs. Such a diagnosis is done on the basis of weight charts as well as body condition scoring.

¨ In case of obese dogs, you may find it difficult to feel the ribs as the fat layers will be thick. Such overweight dogs will lack abdominal tuck as well as proper waist. In severely obese dogs, you may find a sagging abdomen, due to large fat deposits. Even the back of the animal will be much wider.

¨ In obese dogs, you may not be able to feel the bones near the base of the tail. This applies to the bones of the spine, shoulders and even hips. Make sure to take into consideration the anatomy of the particular dog breed, while looking for these parameters.

¨ Overweight dogs will be less active and refrain from exercise and play. They may also avoid climbing stairs or jumping into cars. They will be lazy and tired and may also pant constantly. 

Causes of Obesity in Dogs

Misperception is a fundamental barrier in managing weight in pets. Feeding more than the pet will expend in exercise and lack of exercise increases the risk of obesity in dogs. Many pet parents are misled into believing that their pet is healthy since they misinterpret the obesity.

Dogs over five years of age have decreased voluntary activity and burn fewer calories daily which are at higher risks of getting obese. Some breeds are more prone to obesity, like terrier breeds, spaniels, dachshunds, beagles and Labrador Retrievers.

Sometimes surgical interventions like neutering/ spaying in canines for some specific purposes can also predispose to increased risk of becoming obese. Lackadaisical management/ grooming approach adopted by pet parents like non trimming of toe nails, non exercising on daily basis, confining their pets in closed enclosures, providing unbalanced diet/ over dieting, etc

Use of medical agents like Phenobarbital (anticonvulsant medication) and Glucocorticoids can lead to abnormal fat deposition and weight gain thereby leading to obesity.

Some disease conditions like hypothyroidism, insulinoma and hyperadrenocorticism can contribute to weight gain.

How to assess your Pet’s Weight

Obesity is diagnosed by your veterinarian by measuring the pet’s body weight and by obtaining a body condition score (BCS), which involves assessing the amount of fat on the body. If your dog is obese, they will have an excess body weight of approximately 10-15%. In the 9-point scoring system, dogs with a body condition score greater than seven are considered to be obese.

Preventing Pet Obesity

“The best solution to Pet Obesity is Prevention”

Treatment for obesity focuses on gradual weight loss protocol followed by maintenance of a healthy weight for life. As in humans, a decrease in caloric intake and increase in exercise is the healthy way to produce weight loss.

Your veterinarian can help create a detailed nutritional plan and will provide recommendations on feeding times, proper foods and exercise options. High-protein, low-fat foods can produce optimal weight loss as protein and fiber stimulate metabolism and increase satiety. Avoiding table scraps and treats is important. Feeding green beans and other vegetables is a good alternative to treats.The key to beating the pet obesity is healthy living, which means eating a balanced diet, exercising everyday and socially interacting with the ones you love. This applies to owners as well as pets.

Increasing your pet’s physical activity level can prove beneficial for weight loss. Exercising is as important as diet in reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight. Successful management of obesity includes exercising your pet for 15-30 minutes twice a day of leash walking, engaging your pet dogs in outdoor games, swimming, etc.

Dietary changes must be made gradually to avoid upsetting the gastrointestinal tract. Follow-up treatment for obesity includes communicating regularly with your veterinarian, monitoring your dog’s weight monthly and establishing a long-term weight maintenance program once your dog’s ideal body condition score has been achieved. Educating and engaging pet owners throughout the weight-loss process is essential for overweight pets to get the care they need. Once a healthy weight is achieved, a maintenance diet and exercise schedule should be followed for the life of the pet. Possible use of some medicaments like dirlotapide and mitratapide, have shown promising results for treating canine obesity and can be used under supervision of Vet.

By regularly monitoring your pet’s weight and body condition, you can give your pet dog the healthy and prosperous life it deserves.Obesity is a major health concern but successful weight management brings many benefits. However, the weight loss process is extremely challenging, especially for the most obese animals. Working pet parents carries extra onus for responsible dog ownership and their pets need extra care and time. Dogs with healthy weights live on an average 1.5 to 2.5 years longer than the overweight dogs. There is a need to increase awareness among the pet parents that obesity in companion animals is a serious medical concern.

Treatment of obesity

Dietary therapy forms the cornerstone to weight management in dogs, but increasing exercise and behavioral management comprise useful adjuncts.

¨ Take your dog to a veterinarian for a thorough check-up. The vet would not only advise you the diet which you should adhere to for your pet, but also inform you of the exercise plan required to lose weight.

¨ Dietary management: Reduce the intake of fat and carbohydrate rich foods. Since obese dogs are likely to eat more, give them more water and fiber to satiate their hunger. Protein supplementation is important because the amount of lean tissue lost is minimized even though the weight loss is not more rapid. Supplementation of micronutrients ensures that deficiency states do not arise.

¨ Lifestyle management: Increasing physical activity is a beneficial when used in combination with dietary therapy; it promotes fat loss and may assist in lean tissue preservation. Exercise may help in prevention of the rapid regain in weight that can occur after successful weight loss. Increase the frequency of dog’s walks and avoid treating it with tidbits. Start off with short walks and gradually increase the duration.

¨ Monitoring of weight loss: It is essential to continue to monitor body weight after the ideal weight has been achieved to ensure that weight that was lost is not regained.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.

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