Pudgy Pups
Increase Exercise, Reduce Treats to Optimize Fido’s Health
By Camp Bow Wow
Fido is Fat! Maybe it’s a classic case of too many table scraps, or maybe your wily pup has been helping himself from the bowls of his furry siblings. Either way, Fido has put on a few pounds that could endanger his health. Obesity in dogs is defined as “any excess body fat that impairs or could impair your dog’s normal function,” according to Allthingsdogs.com. Obesity is loosely categorized as 30% above ideal body weight (although there is no universally accepted definition for pets).
The American Kennel Club quoted veterinary experts who estimate “40% of dogs in the United States experience being overweight or obese.” Being overweight impacts pet health, they warn. Excess pounds can lead to joint problems and arthritis, thyroid disease, shortness of breath, heart problems, diabetes or other musculoskeletal difficulties like hip dysplasia.
This troubling trend of obesity in dogs can shorten their lives, truncating their years of loving companionship with their families. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2018 found that being overweight was associated with a shorter lifespan in the 12 dog breeds studied. The estimated reduction in lifespan for the overweight group was up to two-and-a-half years!
Many pup parents don’t even realize Fido has become a little fluffy. While obesity has become a major health crisis for dogs, it’s a problem that’s often overlooked. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT, and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), many pet owners have a misperception about what a healthy pup’s “figure” really should look like, something he calls the “fat pet gap.” The organization was founded to advocate for the recognition of "clinical obesity" as an official veterinary diagnosis, according to their website. They believe the official designation will improve “how obesity is discussed, diagnosed, managed, and prevented in pets.”
As for humans trying to lose weight, the problem can be tackled with the twin strategies of diet and exercise. Your vet may suggest reducing portions, separating your pack’s bowls or cutting down between-meal snacks. Try natural treats with fewer calories like green beans, sweet potato or carrot chunks, blueberries or Greek yogurt instead of fatty, pre-packaged mystery meat. Your vet can guide you, so you don’t restrict too many calories
too soon.
Many pups, like their non-furry family members, need to uncurl from their pillows and get moving. Taking a walk with their parents is an excellent first step. Group play also is great way for a dog to shed a few pounds, get fit and have fun while doing it. Try doggie camp that offers plenty of time to romp, especially if your work or family obligations make taking Fido for regular exercise difficult.
Camp Bow Wow owner Tamara Wetegrove noticed her yellow lab, Zeke, was starting to get a little chunky several years ago. She signed him up for additional sessions at camp, which reversed the trend. “Zeke dropped 10 pounds within two months from play at camp and cutting back on his portion sizes,” Tamara said. “I believe our Lab lived to be 14 years old due to watching his food intake (Zeke had been sneaking snacks from his canine siblings’ bowls at home) and his frequent visits to camp. It kept him fit after he dropped those pounds.”
While most dogs enjoy playdates, Camp Bow Wow’s Stone Oak location also offers sessions on a treadmill designed for special situations like high energy campers who need extra time to run, breeds that can’t tolerate heat or pups rehabbing after an injury.
Talk with your vet before making big changes in your furry family member’s diet, but it’s never too early or too late to get in a little exercise.
