Ways To Help Your Overweight Dog

Chances are, they won't. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the ingredients in these foods don't differ significantly from typical processed dog diets. Some may be labeled as "low-fat," but like the human weight loss industry, they often replace fat with extra carbohydrates.

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Dog Food for Overweight Dogs

When seeking a suitable diet for overweight dogs, your first instinct might lead you to the pet store or your veterinarian's office. There, you'll encounter many options, from weight-loss formulas to grain-free and reduced-fat offerings, many of which contain questionable ingredients. Let's take a closer look at some of the fillers used in weight-loss diets, which often lack essential nutrients:

Powdered Cellulose:

This non-digestible plant fiber, typically sourced from wood pulp, essentially amounts to sawdust – woody fiber devoid of nutritional value. Cellulose dilutes the calorie content in each serving and may create a sense of fullness, but it also leads to increased fecal volume.

Beet Pulp:

Derived from the sugar beet industry, beet pulp is a high-fiber by-product. While some sources suggest it has health benefits, most of its vitamins and minerals are stripped away for other purposes, leaving behind fiber with origins in a root vegetable.

Brewers Rice:

These small grain fragments remain after the milling of whole rice grains, serving as an inexpensive grain filler lacking nutritional value. Brewers rice adds bulk to your dog's stool and contributes to a sensation of fullness.

Chicken By-Product Meal:

This dry-rendered product, often labeled as slaughterhouse waste, consists of the remnants left behind after slaughtering chickens. It typically includes non-meat components such as feathers, fat, feet, and beaks.

Soy Flour, Soy Grits, Soybean Mill Run:

Soy poses multiple issues, including being a low-cost substitute for meat protein and potential allergenicity. Most soy is genetically modified and exposed to toxic glyphosate as a desiccant during harvesting. Soy grits remain after oil and meat extraction, while the soybean mill run comprises hulls remaining after soy meat extraction.

Additionally, grain-free dog foods may contain various legumes, which serve as another source of low-cost protein but are equally starchy as grains. It's advisable to avoid such foods for your overweight dog.

Furthermore, many manufactured weight-loss dog foods incorporate ingredients such as grains, legumes, and low-quality proteins. It's essential to be aware of ingredient splitting, wherein the same ingredient is divided into subtypes and listed separately on the label, potentially obscuring its true proportion.

Dog Food Labels for Weight Control

Here are examples of the top ingredients listed on various dog food labels:

Weight Glucose Management: Water, pork liver, whole grain corn, chicken, cracked pearled barley, powdered cellulose, chicken liver flavor...

Weight Reduction: Whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, powdered cellulose, soybean meal, soybean mill run, chicken liver flavor, dried beet pulp, pork liver flavor...

Grain-free, Reduced Fat: Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato, tapioca...

Reduced Fat, Grain-free: Deboned cod, turkey meal, salmon meal, lentils, yellow peas...

Reduced Fat: Chicken, rice, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn germ meal...

Except for ingredients like pork liver, deboned cod, and chicken, most listed components offer little to no nutritional value. Those not reduced to basic grains or fillers primarily consist of carbohydrates your dog doesn't require.

How Carbohydrates Contribute to Canine Obesity

Processed diets, rich in carbohydrates and unhealthy fats while low in protein, are often responsible for weight gain in dogs. According to animal nutritionist Dr. Richard S. Patton, PhD., wild dogs' diets contain only about 4% carbohydrates, mainly obtained from sources like wild berries or the stomach contents of their prey. Yet, today's processed dog foods frequently contain over 40% carbohydrates.

Typically, dogs need approximately 25–30 calories per pound of body weight daily to maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, a 30-pound dog requires around 800 calories daily. A significant portion of kibble calories comes from carbohydrates. By reducing the amount of kibble and switching to a whole-food, meat-based diet, you can maintain the same calorie intake for your dog while offering better nutrition. This approach also simplifies weight management.

Is My Dog Overweight?

A simple method to determine if your dog is overweight involves feeling their ribs. Holistic veterinarian Dr. Edward Bassingthwaighte provides a helpful guideline: make a loose fist and run your other hand over your knuckles – that's how your dog's ribs should feel. No layer of fat should prevent you from detecting the rib contours, and your dog should exhibit a well-defined waist when viewed from both above and the side. You should be able to differentiate where your dog's chest ends and their abdominal area begins.

What to Feed Your Overweight Dog

Here are some effective dietary choices to assist your overweight dog in shedding excess pounds:

Raw Diet:

• A whole-food, raw-meat diet is the best option for your dog. You can acquire pre-made frozen raw food, with some options including fruits and vegetables. Higher-quality foods avoid the addition of synthetic vitamins and minerals, relying solely on the nutrients present in the ingredients. Alternatively, you can prepare raw food meals following recipes.

• Select lean meats such as turkey, chicken, and beef.

• Ensure a balanced raw diet that includes muscle meat, organs, bones, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and fish to avoid nutrient deficiencies.

• Use fruits and vegetables from your dog's meals to create healthy treats.

• Provide raw meaty bones as treats or occasional meal replacements, offering long-lasting entertainment and satisfying your dog's food-seeking instincts. Options like knuckle bones, lamb femurs, or pork and beef neck bones are preferable to commercial chews.

• Include omega-3 fatty acids to balance omega-6 fats often in dog foods.

• Incorporate probiotics to promote gut microbiome balance, supporting digestion and immune function.

Low in Starch:

Whether feeding raw or home-cooked meals, exclude starchy foods. Dogs do not require starch to thrive. A diet of protein-healthy fats supplemented with low-carb fruits and vegetables fulfills your dog's energy requirements. Avoid legumes, which add starch and plant-based protein that may not provide the nourishment your dog needs. For improved digestibility, opt for non-starchy vegetables like broccoli, green beans, celery, or asparagus, either steamed or pureed.

Freeze-Dried Raw Diet:

Most freeze-dried diets share the same ingredients as frozen raw diets, including muscle meat, organs, and ground bones. Some incorporate fruits and vegetables. Prefer brands that abstain from adding synthetic vitamins and minerals to their products. Freeze-dried dog food does not undergo cooking during manufacturing; instead, it is processed to remove moisture, resulting in a low-moisture, long-shelf-life product that is easy to store and serve.

Additional Strategies for Helping Your Overweight Dog Lose Weight

In addition to providing an appropriate diet, here are some other measures to assist your overweight dog in achieving a healthy weight:

Feed the Right Amount:

The general guideline suggests feeding 2 to 3% of your dog's ideal body weight at maturity for whole-food, raw meat-based, or home-cooked diets. Adjust this percentage based on your dog's activity level, leaning towards the lower end for less active breeds and higher for active dogs. If your dog is overweight, base their food portion on their healthy weight rather than their current weight. Begin with 2%, and adjust depending on whether your dog loses or gains weight. For kibble feeding, be mindful that recommended feeding amounts are often excessive; cut back portions if your dog gains weight.

Reduce Feedings or Food Portions:

Experiment with your overweight dog's feeding schedule to determine what works best. Some dogs lose weight with one meal daily, mimicking their natural eating patterns. This approach provides a break for your dog's digestive system between meals. Alternatively, if your dog tends to be perpetually hungry, consider splitting their daily food allowance into two or three meals. Remove uneaten food after 15 minutes and avoid continuously topping up the bowl. Ensure your dog has access to water throughout the day.

Avoid Free Feeding:

Refrain from free feeding, which involves keeping your dog's bowl full to eat at their leisure. This method makes monitoring your dog's daily food intake challenging, making it unsuitable for overweight dogs.

Provide Nutritious Food:

Increase your dog's intake of protein and vegetables while excluding simple carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Supplement your dog's diet with wholesome add-ins like vegetables, fruits, eggs, and sardines. Opt for non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, celery, or asparagus. In moderation, low-sugar fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or cranberries.

Incorporate Foods with Healthy Fiber:

Healthy fiber can induce a feeling of fullness without excessive calories. Avoid fillers found in processed dog foods and offer your dog healthy sources of fiber, including soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, benefiting the gut by creating short-chain fatty acids and potentially improving blood sugar levels. Sources of soluble fiber include fruits, mushrooms, and seaweed. Insoluble fiber aids in stool bulk and passage through the digestive system. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans are insoluble fiber sources.

Additionally, promote daily exercise for your dog, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours, based on their age and health. Even a leisurely walk around the neighborhood provides physical and mental engagement for your canine companion.

Monitor Treats:

Excessive treat consumption can lead to weight gain in your dog. While treats are valuable for training and rewarding your dog, be mindful of the quantity given, especially for overweight dogs. Choose healthy treat options such as freeze-dried or dehydrated meats or vegetables over starchy alternatives.

The Risks of Overweight Dogs

In 2018, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimated that 56% of dogs in the US were overweight or obese. Dog obesity poses similar dangers to those faced by obese humans, including reduced lifespan and compromised quality of life. Overweight dogs are susceptible to various health issues, including:

• Orthopedic disease

• Ligament rupture

• Tracheal collapse

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Urinary issues

• Heart disease

• Joint problems

• Pancreatitis

• Heart and lung diseases

• Cancer

• Skin problems

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Factors contributing to canine obesity include aging, breed predisposition, neutering or spaying, lack of exercise, and, most prominently, overfeeding. As the individual responsible for your dog's nutrition, you play a crucial role in preventing weight gain and managing your dog's weight effectively. While seeing your dog enjoy their meals may be satisfying, you can ensure their happiness and health by providing a diet low in carbohydrates and starches while incorporating fresh, whole foods. Reward your dog with love, attention, and exercise rather than solely relying on food as a token of affection.