Dealing with an Overweight Pet Part One: Recognizing the Problem With the new year comes new year's resolutions.  We all make them - lose weight, get in shape, etc.  As we get in shape, our dogs can too. Obesity is one of the most common disorders seen in dogs. Read this 3-part article to learn more about the causes, treatment and prevention of obesity; health risks in overweight dogs; and weight reducing diets. How do I determine if my dog is overweight? Veterinarians often use a 9 point scoring system to evaluate the body condition of pets. A point value of 1 means the dog or cat is extremely thin to the point of emaciation. A score of 9 means the pet is grossly overweight. And like Goldilocks and the three bears, a score of 5 is 'just right'. To determine body score, there are several specific areas of the dog or cat we look at. Remember these are guidelines. A greyhound with a score of 5 is still going to be thinner than a bulldog with the same score. NOTE: We've included some illustrations at the end of this article which depict the contours of various body scores. To perform the rating, we first feel the pet's ribs. We should be able to quite easily feel the ribs. There should be a slight amount of fat over them, but each rib should be distinct. If you can see the ribs, the pet is too thin. If you can't feel them at all, the pet is very overweight. Second, check the area near the base of the tail. There should be a slight fat covering over this area and it should feel smooth. If the bones protrude, the pet is too thin; if you can't feel any bones at all, the pet is very overweight. Third, feel other bony prominences on the pet's body such as the spine, shoulder and hips. Again, you should be able to feel a small amount of fat over these areas. If these bones are easily felt or visible, the dog or cat is too thin. If you can't feel the bones beneath the layer of fat, the animal is obviously overweight. Fourth, look at your pet from above. The animal should have a definite waist behind the ribs. If the waist is extreme, or again, bony prominences are visible, the animal is too thin. If there is no waist, or worse yet, the area between the ribs and hips is wider than the hips or ribs, the cat or dog is grossly overweight. Fifth, look at the pet from the side. Dogs and cats should have an abdominal tuck, i.e., the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter than the chest. This can vary a lot between breeds. Irish setters and Greyhounds, for instance, appear to have a much more distinct abdominal tuck since they are so deep-chested. An animal who is too thin will have a very severe abdominal tuck. Overweight animals will have no abdominal tuck. If you feel your dog is overweight, consult your veterinarian to determine if there are any other medical problems before starting the animal on a weight reduction program. Your veterinarian can also suggest various diets, how fast your pet should lose weight, etc.   Very Thin Body Score = 1   Thin Body Score = 3   Ideal Body Score = 5   Overweight Body Score = 7   Obese Body Score = 9     Treats Let's face it, people like to give their pets treats. This is not all bad. Treats are often helpful as training aids and can be used to distract pets undergoing procedures such as removing mats, trimming nails, etc. Sometimes we give dogs treats as a health benefit. And sometimes it's just fun to give pets something special. Unfortunately the type of treat or amount given can result in our pets receiving too many calories. The 'average' calorie need of an 'average' twenty pound dog is 690 kcal. For example, the calories from giving a twenty pound dog one large Milk Bone morning and night, a leftover slice of pizza from lunch, and a cookie for dessert at dinner will almost equal the dog's calorie needs for a whole day. Calories from treats pile up pretty fast. When selecting treats for your pet, be calorie-conscious, aware of the nutritional value of the treat and be sure that treats do not make up more than 10% of your pet's intake. Remember, your pet can't drive up to the take-out window, open the freezer or scrape the dishes! What your pet eats is determined by you. Choose healthy!! Preventing Obesity Preventing your dog from becoming overweight is easier than taking off the excess weight once it's there. To prevent excess weight, we must feed our pets according to their activity level and age. In general, younger dogs will need more calories per pound of body weight than older dogs whose metabolisms have slowed. To maintain optimum weight we need to: Provide exercise Exercise has many benefits. It not only helps to burn calories but it also Strengthens respiratory and circulatory systems Helps get oxygen to tissue cells Keeps muscles toned and joints flexible Releases energy, relieves boredom, and keeps mind active Aids in digestion Choose the correct type and amount of food Pets need different types and amounts of food during their life stages. Younger animals require more energy, protein and minerals than older dogs. Active field trial dogs, and dogs who are outside in cooler weather would also have greater energy needs. Pregnant or nursing dogs require increased protein, minerals and energy. 'Couch potato' dogs, however have much lower energy needs. Older pets, even if they remain active, may require fewer calories than when they were younger. Some dogs regulate their intake well, others eat anything in sight. In general, it is best to provide food as 'meals' rather than having a food bowl filled with food available at all times (free choice, ad. lib.). This way it is easier to monitor intake and food will not become stale. In a multiple pet household, providing food as meals also helps to ensure the pet is eating the food appropriate for him. Regularly monitor the pet's weight It is easy for us to put on a couple pounds and not notice it until we try wearing something we haven't worn for a while. It's even harder to notice small weight gains in dogs. By routinely weighing your dog (at the same time of day, on the same scale) you'll be able to notice a slight weight increase (or decrease) before it becomes a serious problem. Regulate the weight of young dogs. Dogs who are overweight while growing have a greater risk of becoming overweight as adults. We need to make sure growing animals have adequate nutrition but we do not want to feed too much. In addition to contributing to weight problems as the animal ages, excess weight when young can contribute to other problems such as joint disease. Limit or eliminate treats and table scraps The extra calories and decreased nutritional value of treats and table scraps are often the biggest offenders when it comes to weight control. Treats are generally better than table scraps, and have their use, as when training dogs to 'come'. But giving too many treats can have serious consequences. Most pets, when it comes right down to it, would rather have your attention than a treat. Spending extra time playing or grooming your dog will probably give you both much more satisfaction than the treat which is gobbled up in three seconds and then forgotten. Treat any contributing factors or diseases Although most weight gain in dogs is simply due to feeding too much or exercising too little, there are medical conditions which can contribute to obesity. Many of these conditions can be treated. If your pet has an unexplained increase in appetite or weight, have your pet examined by your veterinarian to be sure there is not a disease process causing the problem. Read on - Part 2: Health Risks in Overweight Pets