Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian and this article is not a substitute for veterinary care. Any information found on this site is meant to serve as a starting point for a conversation with your dog’s veterinarian about what options or treatments are appropriate for your dog’s specific needs.
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Look, I love a big, squishy pet as much as the next person.
Scratching their adorable doggy fat rolls. Trying to breathe as they sit on your lap, crushing you on the couch with their big ol’ dog butts. Giving them all the treats because they are just so fabulous for existing.
But this love is hurting our pets.
Dog obesity has become a common problem in the United States and Europe. And these weight problems are especially pressing for senior dogs.
If your senior dog is overweight, you’re going to have to work with your vet to help your dog lose weight.
Obesity and weight gain are dangerous and unpleasant for your dog. You may notice that your dog’s mobility issues are exaggerated by their weight or be concerned about their comfort as they enter their final years.
Obesity shortens your dog’s life, a concept that is scary as your dog gets older.
Extra fat stores in your dog’s body cause inflammation that affects their bones and joints.
Being an obese dog is painful, especially in large and senior dogs where bone health is already a concern.
If your dog is overweight or obese, you’re not alone. As of 2019, 59.8% of dogs were overweight or obese.
Overweight and obese dogs are so common that most dog owners can’t even tell whether their dogs are overweight. 95% of dog owners do not notice when their dog becomes overweight.
This makes addressing the problem more difficult because owners don’t realize that anything is wrong.
Veterinarians and owners need to take the problem of pet obesity seriously to help preserve their health and well-being.
How Can You Tell if Your Dog is Overweight?
To evaluate your pet’s fitness you need to take into account your pet’s actual weight and their dog body condition score. Their dog body condition score uses both the appearance and feel of your dog.
You should be able to easily feel their ribs, but their ribs should not be too prominent. The same is true for your dog’s pelvic bone.
The ideal score for dogs is either 4.5-5/9 or 2.5/5 depending on which scale you use.
You should also weigh your dog and compare it to the average for their age and breed.
Ideally, this entire process should be done by a veterinarian during a routine checkup. Your vet should let you know if your dog is overweight, but make sure to let your vet know about your concerns so they can talk to you about their evaluation.
Overweight Dog Problems
Overweight and obese dogs are at risk for several health problems that may be exaggerated by their age. Dog obesity can trigger some of the following health problems:
- Mobility Issues
- Type II Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Arthritis
- Orthopedic problems
- Poor Heat Tolerance
- Early Death
This list might look familiar to you. Obesity in dogs causes many of the same issues as it does in humans.
Obesity and Age
The health problems typically faced by an overweight dog are more concerning in older dogs because seniors are more prone to health complications overall.
Health problems such as orthopedic ailments and poor heat tolerance are likely to be exacerbated by age.
Being overweight is uncomfortable for dogs who are already facing a time in their lives where discomfort is common. They also are not typically as mobile and younger dogs have a harder time losing weight.
Ideally, owners would keep their dogs fit during their younger years, so they are a healthy weight by the time they reach senior status.
While it is harder for old dogs to lose weight, it is not impossible.
In fact, due to the adverse effects on weight on old dogs, weight loss is more important than ever for senior dogs.
Obesity in Large Breed Dogs
Some factors predispose large dogs to obesity and weight-related complications. Certain breeds are more or less prone to obesity.
Traditional hunting breeds like Labrador Retrievers are more likely to become obese than traditional working breeds like the Doberman or Collies.
Large breed dogs are especially prone to bone and mobility issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Obesity can exacerbate and even cause hip dysplasia in already vulnerable dogs.
Obesity causes inflammation targeting the joints and the extra weight puts a lot of stress on your dog’s musculoskeletal system.
Additionally, because large dogs typically have a shorter lifespan, preserving your dog’s years is especially important.
How You Can Help Your Dog Lose Weight
If you are feeding your dog based on the recommendations on the dog food label, you are probably feeding them too much.
Don’t feel bad, I made this mistake too at first.
Those recommendations are made for un-neutered physically active adult dogs.
Older dogs and dogs that participate in less physical activity will need less food. You should ask your vet to calculate your dog’s daily calorie needs to avoid inadvertent overfeeding.
Make sure to measure your dog’s food every day. You might even try using premeasured canned dog food for convenience.
My vet suggested replacing some of Guinness’s kibble with dog-safe veggies to lower his daily calories. Green beans and kale have turned out to be two of his favorites. He also loves blueberries, but we take it easy on fruit due to the sugar content.
Don’t try to guess the amount of food your overweight dog needs by eye or keep their bowl full. Those things will lead to overfeeding.
Be careful about the treats you give your dog. They are typically high in sugar and calories. Try alternative treats like baby carrots or little pieces of banana.
When you give your dog treats, especially traditional high-calorie dog treats, make sure to count them against your dog’s daily calorie allowance.
This does not mean that you cannot use treats; just make sure you are using treats strategically and accounting for them in your dog’s diet plan.
Ensure that your dog is engaged in exercise appropriate for their age and breed. Older dogs are vulnerable to overuse injuries and sensitive to temperature, so you may want to adjust their exercise routine. This might mean doing your exercise inside or taking shorter and slower walks.
If your dog has any ailments, you should work with your vet to find out what kind of exercises will ease their symptoms.
No one wants to see their dog in pain, and you do not have to. Weight loss is a manageable way to decrease the hardship your pet faces as they enter their senior years. Large dogs especially are vulnerable to some of the more painful symptoms of weight gain.
Even if you are not sure whether your dog is overweight, talk to your vet about it. They will be able to provide you with guidance and a healthy diet plan for your dog.
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