Doggie Obesity
History
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Whitewater
Dog Park
Doggie Obesity
"If your dog is fat, you're not
getting enough exercise."
Unfortunately,
obesity in pets is at epidemic proportions in this country. It is estimated
that as many as 40 percent of dogs across the country are above their
ideal weight. How does a dog get overweight?
If healthy issues are not the cause, then the two big reasons are:
** Not enough exercise
** Family members who lovingly give
excessive amounts of food and treats at all times of the day or night,
without any limit.
Just
as it is with us humans, the biggest factor in canine obesity is the lack
of exercise. An adequate amount exercise will boost the metabolism and
help burn off calories. Now doesn't that sound familiar? Let's face it,
if you aren't there to help exercise your dog, or when you are gone from
the house and are at work, what do you think your dog is doing all day?
We'll tell you: probably nothing. They spend a good portion of the day
sleeping - whcih does not burn off very many calories. When you get home
in the evening, and are feeling tired, are you thinking about taking your
dog out for exercise?
Have
you ever considered how Sumo wrestlers put on so much weight? They eat
a big meal and then take a nap - which is not that different from what
a sendentary dog would do. Given the chance, our sedentary and bored pets
will enjoy eating something - and eating is one of the things they do
to alleviate boredom. If you leave food available to them throughout the
day, they will eat more than they would if they were on a schedule. And
before you know it, your beloved dog is on the way to becoming a Sumo
Star!
"Oh, my dog
isn't that fat. He's just fluffy!"
Here is something for you to think
about. You vet said your 25 pound dog is 5 pounds overweight. Let us compare
that to what the equivalent would be if those were your "5 pounds."
Let us say that you weigh 175 pounds.
Multiple 175 by 25. Then divide
by 20.
Oh goodness! That would be just a
little over 218 pounds for you.
Just
as it is with humans, obesity has risks for dogs. The primary threat to
dogs from obesity is the wear and tear on their musculoskeletal system.
Unlike humans, who walk erect and can carry that weight at their center
of gravity, dogs carry their weight slung out over their spine like a
suspension bridge. Dogs with elbow, knee, or hip problems, no matter the
breed or mix, are especially vulnerable to the stresses of carrying too
many pounds on their frames. Even toy dogs are very prone to knee problems,
and should also be kept lean to minimize pain from these problems.
If
your overweight dog is elderly and has health problems, arthritis or other
joint problems, it just might be a good idea to discuss a diet and exercise
program with your vet. We would recommend this especially if your dog
has suddenly put on weight or is very overweight. Some conditions, such
as hypothyroidism or Cushings, can be at the root of the weight gain.
After a clean bill of health, it's time to start changing the way you
feed your pet, and increasing his or her exercise.
Dogs
have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates, so this is an obvious place
to cut the calories. And well, most dog kibble is high in carbohydrates.
Most "diet" dog foods rely on reducing levels of fat and increasing carbohydrates
and fiber. And most commercial dog foods are 60-75% grain! Although carbohydrates
can provide an energy source, the best source of energy for a dog is animal
fat.
Dogs
lack starch digestive enzymes in their mouths and they have a shorter
long digestive tract than a human. Retrieving the nutrients in the grains
is taxing on a dogs system and it is difficult for them to digest. Grains
and starches turn right into glucose - which is sugar. Too much glucose
in a dogs system can lead to hypoglycemia, allergies, hyperactivity, diabetes.
According to Dr. Olgivie DVM's studies at Colorado State University, this
can lead to accelerating the development of tumors and cancer growth.
Dogs
have a known requirement for both fat and protein, micro nutrients such
as vitamins and minerals. A good diet will start by providing the protein,
fats, vitamins and minerals in appropriate levels, and the carbohydrates
will only be enough to bring calorie levels up if necessary. It is time
to take a look at the content label on that bag of dog food. You might
discover this will rule out most kibble type of dog foods! Time for a
little bit of education about what is in your dog's food.
During
the last few years, as more research has gone into what a dog really needs
to eat, and the most recent completion of the dog Genome
Project, new dog foods are appearing on the market. Among these are
diets based on raw foods, and foods that have been formulated with other
ingredients that the common grains, such as corn, wheat and soy, often
found in most commercial dog foods.
If
your dog is one that seems constantly prove to allergies, skin and ear
problems, then it would be a good idea to consider switiching to a fresh
food diet.
As
a rule of thumb, never reduce the amount of food your dog eats by more
than 10 percent a week. Remember to include any treats in the total food
intake for the day. And while you have your dog on a diet, add about ten
minutes of additional exercise to your dog's regular exercise routine.
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