dog obesity statistics

Obesity in Dogs: A Major Health Threat Hiding in Plain Sight

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Theres a weight problem in America and it isnt just affecting humans.

The most recent statistics classify the majority of dogs in the U.S.56%as overweight or obese. While that makes obesity a major health crisis for dogs, its a problem thats often overlooked, as many pet owners may not even realize their pets are overweight.

I see people coming in constantly with 90-pound Labs and they say, she looks great, says Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT, and founder of theAssociation for Pet Obesity Prevention(APOP). Well, actually, that dog is 15 pounds overweight. But weve normalized it. This kind of dog embodies what APOP has called the fat pet gapthe misalignment between what we think a dog should look like and what a healthy body composition should really be.

Obesity in dogs comes with significant consequences. In fact, Ward and other vets call it our pets biggest health threat. And its not an isolated issue; obesity is linked to a whole raft of health problems including arthritis, chronic kidney disease, bladder/urinary tract disease, liver disease, low thyroid hormone production, diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, and cancer. We think its very important that people understand this isnt just a cosmetic issue, says Dr. Ward. There is a physiological consequence to this.

A slimmer margin of error

While obesity is loosely defined as 30% above ideal body weight (there is no universally accepted definition forpets), veterinary experts say just being overweight impacts pet health. And thats one of the challenges in addressing this issuemany pet owners may simply not realize thereisan issue.

You look at your dog and it seems healthy and its active and doesnt have any apparent health issues, says Ward. So you say, its normal, and by extension its morphology, or its size, is normal. But the problem is that we often dont know what what normal is when it comes to dogs, so we project our own human-centric perspective. In human terms, we think we just need to drop five pounds, says Ward. Well, the amount of physiological impact of a few pounds is much, much greater and more concentrated in pets than in people. Five pounds on a cat is catastrophic. Five pounds on a Lab is significant. We think a few pounds off my Lab; what could the consequence of that be..? But the consequences are that Labs hips are deteriorating, its causing damage to the kidneys, its probably causing high blood pressure which is causing a constellation of problems, and its increasing cancer risk.

Dr. Carol Osborne, an integrative veterinarian at Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Ohio, echoes the fact that a dog doesnt have to be clinically obese to experience health consequences. Being just 10% overweight decreases a dogs lifespan by one-third and predisposes him to heart, kidney and liver disease as well as diabetes, arthritis,and cancer, she says.

Osborne says that adipose tissue (aka fat) is filled with blood vessels, and the added rich blood creates inflammation. This all creates an environment attractive to cancer cells and increases a dogs risk of developing the disease, she says.

Cancer is the number one killer of dogs today, says Osborne.

And, for some smaller breeds, extra pounds make a huge difference. Three extra pounds for canines in the toy category is the equivalent of gaining approximately 30 pounds for you or me, she says.

Holistic veterinarian and researcher Dr. Jean Dodds, of Hemopet veterinary center in California, says the health effects of having even a marginally overweight dog include reduced energy with resultant less exercise, easy keeper (gains weight on small amounts of food), skin and hair coat conditions, and irregular female reproductive cycles, if intact.

Conversely, obese dogs may benefit from even just slight weight loss. According to aclinical trial published in 2010,obese dogs with osteoarthritis showed a significant decrease in lameness from weight loss starting at 6.10%.

Another 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.

We look at a dog with obesity and if a dog loses as little as 6% body weightthats six pounds on a 100-pound Retrieverit makes a difference, says Ward. It doesnt take a lot of weight loss to make the pet feel better. I really try to emphasize that when Im talking to (pet owners) because its a quality of life issue as much as a longevity and disease-prevention issue.

Osborne says shes seen this quality of life improvement from weight loss time and again. One of her clients came in with a two-year-old male Pomeranian named Smokey that weighed in at 45 pounds. When he first visited, the dog already had one cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) surgery on a hind leg and was about to have a second. Osborne changed his dietwhich involved stopping the dry kibble and replacing it with chicken and fresh vegetables.

At this point he is down to 22 pounds, she says. He acts, feels and looks like a puppy instead of sleeping under the kitchen table most of the day and barely moving at all. Hes running around the house, ready to play and having a ball. And he wont need another surgery after all.

Rewriting your dogs future

For pet owners with dogs who are not obese and who arent showing obvious health symptoms, the concern may not seem as pressing. But Ward warns against not taking action when you can.

I see too often a 10-year-old Lab mix and suddenly they cant get into the car because of crippling hip arthritis caused by obesity, he says. But if you can rewind the tape, you dont have the years of cumulative damage. (Obesity) is a slow and insidious and silent killer, and people may know its happening, but they dont take action until theres a crisis. I say that nobody treats obesity until theres a catastrophe. And when its catastrophic, you may not recover.

A guide for dog owners: How to assess your dogs weight

The question remains: How can pet owners determine the ideal weight for their dogs?

The rib testOsborne says it begins with keeping regular track of your dogs body condition. She recommended the rib test.

Stand behind your dog, gently run your hands along either side of the rib cage, she says. You should be able to easily feel, but not see each rib, and your dog should have a waist or a tucked up area in front of the hind legs. If you can pinch more than an inch and/or your dog has lost his waist, its probably time to think about reducing.

The standing testWard opts for another method. I recommend you do the standing test. Look at the dog from the sidelean down and look from the sideand see [if] their abdomen or stomach is sagging, he says. Then I look from the top: From standing I should see an hourglass indentation in front of the hips. You should see the chest extend out and the waist tapers in making an hourglass.

While dogs vary widely in body shape and volume of hair and fur, Ward says this test should work for 95% of dogs (he notes that exceptions include English Bulldogs and Pugs).

Food matters most

Many vets agree that weight loss begins and ends at the food bowl for dogs and cats. Based on available literature and experience, Ward breaks down the weight-loss math this way: 60-70% diet and 30-40% exercise.

So, knowing exactly how much to feed your dog becomes key. Like many experts, Ward cautions against using the guidelines on most commercial dry dog food packages to determine how much youre feeding. The parameters, which are based on adult dogs for all life stages, are far too broad to accommodate every dogs needs. For example, Ward says, spaying or neutering a dog reduces their energy requirement by 20-30%. So already, if youre feeding according to guidelines youre overfeeding a pet who is spayed or neutered, he says. I see so many pet owners say Im feeding exactly what they say on the bag, and its like no, thats too much.

Its a good idea to work with your vet to assess your dogs body condition, muscle condition, lifestyle and any concurrent medical conditions and determine how many calories you should be feeding.

You can also consult the tools available online(including on APOPs site)which provide a good estimate of weight ranges and caloric needs by breed and size.

As to food quality, Osborne recommends fresh food including lean protein like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and tofu, and fiber through fresh vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and spinach.

While some dog owners hesitate around the idea of feeding people food, this kind of real, fresh food is more nutrient-dense, and more bioavailable than dried, processed food. Those planning to prepare fresh food at home for any length of time should be sure to consult their vet to ensure meals are correctly balanced and contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients.Subscribing to a fresh-food plan makes it easier, and safer, to feed nutritionally balanced meals.

While food is the biggest factor, pet owners should also plan to exercise dogs for a minimum of 20 minutes, twice a day. And be careful with snacks. You can use fresh veggies as healthy treats and avoid processed mystery-ingredient treats and things like pig ears, and bully sticks.

If you dont eat it, neither should your dog, Osborne says.

Diet and obesity

Footnotes

13. Prebble, J. L., Langford, F. M., Shaw, D. J., & Meredith, A. L. (2015). The effect of four different feeding regimes on rabbit behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 169, 86-92.

14. Lidfors, L. (1997). Behavioural effects of environmental enrichment for individually caged rabbits. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 52(1-2), 157-169.

15. Clauss,M., Hatt, J.-M. (2017). Evidence-Based Rabbit Housing and Nutrition Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 20(3), 871-884.

16. Swanson, K. S., Carter, R. A., Yount, T. P., Aretz, J., & Buff, P. R. (2013). Nutritional sustainability of pet foods. Advances in Nutrition, 4(2), 141-150.

17. German AJ, Woods GRT, Holden SL, Brennan L and Burke C 2018 Dangerous trends in pet obesity. Veterinary Record 182: 25. https://doi.org/10.1136/VR.K2

18. Pegram C, Raffan E, White E, Ashworth AH, Brodbelt DC, Church DB and ONeill DG 2021 Frequency, breed predisposition and demographic risk factors for overweight status in dogs in the UK. Journal of Small Animal Practice 62: 521530. https://doi.org/10.1111/JSAP.13325

19. Laflamme, D. (2015). Why the Concern Over Obesity: An Introduction. Companion Animal Nutrition Summit, 1-4.

Pet Obesity & Weight Loss Australia

Our study revealed the most commonly asked questions surrounding pet obesity, pet weight loss and weight management and exercise, highlighting whats specifically troubling the nation.

The 7 most searched for questions surrounding pet obesity awareness

Is my pet overweight?

Whilst pets are reaping the benefits of having their humans around more often, with extra pats and cuddles, it has also meant extra treats and more food than normal, throughout the day.

To determine whether your dog or cat is overweight there are a few key things to consider. Most importantly, you should be able to feel your pets ribs through their fur and your cat or dog should never have a sagging tummy. Body Fat Index (BFI) is also a key indicatorof whether your pet is overweight or underweight and an ideal score is 20 for both cats and for dogs. If any of these signs suggest your pet is overweight then its important to seek help from your vet in practice.

How much should I feed my dog?

Your dog will need a different feeding plan and food at various stages of their life, with puppies needing around 3-4 feedings a day, reaching up to two half portions of food in adulthood. Yet its important to consider current weight, breed and size and intensity of activity levels as well as age of your dog. Your vet will be able to support you with specifics.

How much should I feed my cat?

When determining how much to feed your cat you should refer to the feeding guide on the pet food label. Note, this is only a guide; there are many other factors to be taken into consideration. Your cats lifestyle, age, weight and whether you choose to feed a combination of wet or dry food all need to be considered. You may want to explore different feeding methods and again, your vet will be able to help you with a feeding plan that supports a healthy lifestyle for your cat.

Why is pet obesity a problem?

Pet obesity has been a problem for many years with the percentage of overweight pets increasing year on year. However, it has come into the spotlight over the last year for a number of reasons. Firstly, many people acquired pets for companionship, often for the first time. Pet owners were also spending more time at home with their pets. The benefit of this is pet owners are more likely to notice subtle changes in behaviour that may indicate an underlying issue, such as being slower to rise or jump. They are also more likely to seek information or advice on how to keep their pets healthy.

The flipside is that pet owners will often use food and treats as a way of showing their love and affection for their pets. And with more time spent at home with them, there is more opportunity to overfeed them or provide treats or table scraps; all common reasons that lead to our pets becoming overweight. ***According to veterinarians, more than 71% of pet professionals say the pandemic has impacted the way pets eat.

Is pet obesity getting worse?

Pet obesity is one of the leading nutritional problems facing the pet population and the statistics show that the percentage of overweight pets is increasing.

Part of the problem is that there is a proliferation of pet food brands and feeding trends, as well as a vast number of different sources of information on feeding your pet available on the internet. Information overload can make it hard for pet owners to determine what is credible information based on facts and research.

As a population our perception of what a normal, healthy body weight for a pet should be has shifted. The abundance of overweight pets in the general population and media means that we often mistake the more cuddly shape of an overweight pet to be the ideal. In fact, *90% of pet parents with an overweight pet dont realise that they are overweight.

**Pet parents with overweight pets (31% with overweight dogs and 24% with overweight cats) feel it's harder to help their pet lose weight compared to before Covid-19, and 49% of veterinarians agree it's harder for pet parents to keep their pets at a healthy weight during the pandemic than before.

Is there any difference in obesity between cats and dogs?

The main difference is that for cats (and small dogs), a relatively small weight gain can be significant due to their small body size - for example a cat can be considered obese, with all the health risks that come along with this, and only be carrying an extra kilo of weight.

The other difference for cats is that exercising them is not as easy or intuitive as it is for dogs- most cats dont want to go for a walk. However, by thinking outside the box, it is possible to increase their exercise by getting them to chase a light source along the walls or hunt for their meal around the house.

How can pet obesity be fixed?

Managing pet weight issues still comes back down to the basic principles of making sure they expend more energy than they consume. Pay attention to the diet fed, ensuring it is aimed at the pets age and lifestyle and that they are receiving the correct amount of food. Be aware of treating behaviour, as this is the most common way that excess calories slip into a diet and dont forget to have an exercise routine.

I have found that the best success comes from pet owners partnering with their local veterinary healthcare team as they can determine the ideal target weight for the pet, and tailor a diet and exercise plan that will suit both the pets needs and the owners lifestyle.

Nationally studies understate the issue of pet obesity across Australia.

Australian statistics likely understate the extent of the issue in this country, as a prevalence study has not been undertaken for around 15 years. *****The latest statistics from the US suggest that 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are overweight or obese and discussions with local colleagues suggest that the Australian figures are fairly similar.

I think the trend of more people searching for information on pet obesity and exercise is not surprising. It reflects the fact that pet owners are spending more time with their pets and want credible information sources on how to keep their pets fit and healthy.

Remember, we are not always the best judge of our own pets weight.

Various studies have shown that obesity in our pets can increase the risk of many serious health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. It can also shorten their overall lifespan. We all want our pets to live long and healthy lives and ensuring that they maintain a healthy body weight is one important way to help achieve this. A simple step is to start with better nutrition and becoming more aware of your feeding habits and the impact it can have your pet's life.

We are not always the best judge of our own pets weight so I would encourage all pet owners to check in with their local veterinary healthcare team. They can determine whether the pet is at their ideal bodyweight or, if they are carrying a few extra kilos, help develop a weight loss plan in conjunction with the pet owner. Losing that excess weight helps pets live their best life.