From: Lisa Walther
Checked: Carla Steffen
Overweight is when the dog exceeds its ideal weight by 10 %, obesity is when the ideal weight is increased by more than 20 %. The medical term for this excess body fat is obesity . The reason for obesity in dogs is always excessive energy intake, i.e. the animal consumes more energy than it can use in total (this is also referred to as a positive energy balance).
The reasons for obesity in dogs are many and varied. They are often due to incorrect feeding behavior on the part of the pet owner, who - usually out of ignorance - misjudges their pet's energy requirements. This can vary greatly and depends, for example, on age and physical activity. As your pet gets older, the energy requirement also decreases by around 25%, and even after neutering, a reduced food and treat (!)-allocation is usually required.
Genetics, certain diseases such as hypothyroidism or diseases that require glucocorticoid therapy can also have an influence on a dog's weight. Another cause is often a lack of exercise. The short walks on foot consume far less energy than many dog owners would like.
It is important to remember that the storage of body fat is not only unsightly, but also has the same effect on the body as chronic inflammation. This is because fatty tissue releases inflammatory mediators such as acute phase proteins.
The consequences of being overweight or Obesity in dogs is multifaceted: on the one hand, dogs become sluggish, they are less active and calmer than their actual character would suggest. On the other hand, the cardiovascular system is strained, joint problems and diabetes can occur, the risk of skin diseases increases and the immune system can suffer. Last but not least, it should always be borne in mind that the life expectancy of overweight animals decreases by around 20%.
As the number of overweight animals has risen sharply, the eyes of many owners have "adapted" to this condition so that it is perceived as "normal". To ensure an objective impression, the so-called"Body Condition Score" (BCS) is used in veterinary medicine. The nutritional status is determined on a scale of 1-9, with 1-3 being classified as too thin, 4-5 as normal and 7-9 as overweight.
In optimal nutritional condition, a waistline is visible when viewed from above and a slight layer of fat can be felt above the ribs with the flat of the hand. The belly line should rise slightly when viewed from the side.
Most dogs have reached their ideal weight at around one year of age. You should make a note of this so that you can use it as a reference later on.
For more information on reducing excess weight, read our article
Part 2 - How do I help my dog lose weight?
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Lisa Walther
