Obesity is not only a rampant problem in the human population, but also in dogs.
Cornell University’s December 2002 issue of the "Cornell Chronicle" mentions the results of a 14-year study, which found that eating less results in healthier, longer lives and that dogs forced to eat 25 percent less of the same balanced diet than their littermates lived significantly longer and suffered fewer canine diseases. What more could pet owners wish for than improving the health and extending the lifespan of their companions? And doing so saves money, to boot!
The first thing people turn to when deciding to do something about their dog’s weight are usually so-called "lite" or low-calorie/reduced-calorie foods, or even prescription diets from a veterinarian.
Experience with my own clients has taught me that this approach usually doesn’t work out too well. While strictly logically "fewer calories eaten than required for weight maintenance" equals "weight loss," it’s not that simple, and "traditional" low-protein/low-fat, high-carb/high-fiber diets leave a lot to be desired.
Dogs are animals with a carnivorous background, meant to live on a diet of predominantly meat and fat, with a natural moisture content of about 65percent to 75 percent. The natural diet of a canine, also contains only small amounts of carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates in particular can cause severe spikes and drops in blood sugar levels, which make a dog feel uncomfortable and hungry – similar to a sugar crash in humans. Fat creates a sensation of satisfaction and sources of healthy, essential fatty acids not only help with weight loss but also support the immune system.
Protein is required to supply the building blocks for renewal and maintenance of the body’s cells, from muscle tissue to organs, skin and coat, so reducing it too much usually quickly results in loss of lean muscle mass, poor skin and coat quality, and sluggish behavior.
I have found that a higher protein content in the diet, along with moderate amounts of high-quality, healthy fats and a low percentage of simple carbohydrates, are more conductive to weight loss than the traditional reducing foods.
Diets formulated this way are highly palatable, so the dog likes to eat the food, and it leaves him or her satisfied and not constantly scrounging for more. Feeding three to four smaller meals per day instead of just one or two larger ones can also help.
Some dogs are true "food hounds" who may still be restless until their body has adjusted. A great way of distracting them is to provide appropriate recreational bones (raw only, never heat-treated in any way!), such as beef knuckle bones, to chew on. These are also great for keeping teeth clean. Just be sure to trim all visible fat, and scoop out as much of the marrow as you can.
