Extra weight creeps up on dogs, and it’s easy for an owner to miss. It also matters: excess body fat raises a dog’s risk of arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, and trouble getting around.
Whole Dog Journal executive editor Kate O’Connor talked with companion animal nutritionist Mary Cope, PhD, about how to tell when a dog is carrying too much weight and how to take it off safely.
How to tell if your dog is overweight
Dr. Cope says the ribs are the first thing to check. You should be able to feel them under a light covering of fat, see a waist from above, and see a tuck behind the ribcage from the side. A dog can still have a waist and a tuck and be overweight, so go by the ribs first.
She also suggests thinking about extra weight as a share of the dog’s body, not in pounds. One extra pound is a lot on a Chihuahua and very little on a Great Dane. In the video she demonstrates a quick test that uses your own hand to show what a dog’s ribs should feel like. Sighthounds are the exception and have their own body condition chart.
Smaller portions or a weight-management food?
If you caught the weight gain early, feeding a little less of the regular food can be enough. Dr. Cope trims her own dogs’ portions in winter, when they get less exercise.
For a dog with more to lose, she recommends a weight-management food. Cutting a regular food in half also cuts the protein, vitamins, and minerals in half. A weight-loss formula lowers the calories while keeping those nutrients in place, so the dog can eat a normal volume of food and still feel full.
Don’t rely on the feeding guide on the bag
Many owners of overweight dogs tell Dr. Cope they feed exactly what the bag recommends. Those amounts are generalized and tend to run high, she says. Use them as a starting point, then adjust to what you see on your own dog.
What to look for in a weight-loss food
Start with “complete and balanced.” Then find the calorie statement on the back of the bag, usually in small print, and compare kilocalories per cup. That means a standard 8-ounce measuring cup, not whatever cup is in the cupboard.
Dr. Cope looks for lower calories, good animal protein to support lean muscle, and higher fiber to help a dog feel full. The goal is slow, gradual weight loss the dog can maintain. For a very overweight dog, work with your veterinarian, who can help the dog lose weight safely.
Treats count
The rule of thumb is to keep treats under 10 percent of daily calories, which is hard to track for a small dog. Dr. Cope’s fix is to hold back about a quarter of the day’s food and hand that out as treats. Unsalted canned green beans, thin slices of carrot, and small pieces of lean meat are low-calorie options. Daily dental chews add up quickly.
How to know the plan is working
Weigh your dog every two to four weeks. Most veterinary offices will let you stop in and use the scale. Plateaus are normal. If there’s no loss, or a gain, after four weeks, it’s time to adjust the plan and talk to your vet.
Dr. Cope has done this herself. She adopted a beagle who weighed 50 pounds and should have weighed 22 to 24.
Her advice for owners
Measure everything, limit unplanned extras, and get the whole household on board, because one person slipping the dog table scraps can undo the plan. And skip the guilt. Dr. Cope says there is no shame in having a dog who needs to lose a few pounds.
Watch the full interview above for the hand test and the rest of Dr. Cope’s advice, then ask your veterinarian to help you set a target weight for your dog.
