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Trimming the Fat
by Laura Barmore
The Reality
According to a recently released
report by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research
Council, one out of every four pets weighs too much. Other studies
have shown that this percentage in dogs is higher, revealing that up
to 50 percent of all dogs in America are obese. Yet many dog owners
are in denial when it comes to their pet’s weight. The fact is “we are
facing an epidemic of canine obesity,” according to Dr. Nancy Peters,
a veterinarian who participated in a recent weight-management study.
Obese dogs run the same health
risks humans do. Veterinarians see heart ailments and high blood
pressure in overweight dogs just as physicians see them in overweight
people. Overweight dogs frequently have diabetes, as well as arthritis
and other skeletal issues such as hip dysplasia and knee problems. In
addition, too much weight can lead to compromised immune function,
leaving our Labs more prone to infectious diseases.
It is important to note that dogs
don’t have to be obese to suffer from an array of weight-related
ailments, including cancer. The report suggests the risks to dogs
begin with a moderate weight gain at a very early age. For dog owners
the message is clear, we have to cut back on food and
high-caloric treats for our Labs-or run the risk that our loved one
will develop a debilitating illness.
Recent Study Proves Slim Dogs
Live Longer Healthier Lives
Last year the Purina Pet
Institute completed a 14-year study proving that slimmer dogs live
longer. The Purina Life Span Study showed that not only did the lean
dogs live longer, they lived better, healthier lives. The study showed
a direct correlation between canine obesity and cellular damage.
According to Dan Christian, DVM, Executive Director of the Purina Pet
Institute, “The increased intake of calories affects dogs on a
cellular level. Increased glucose levels can harm the body.”
The Study
Scientists at Purina PetCare
conducted a 14-year study of 24 pairs of Labrador Retriever puppies.
Half of the pairs ate 25 percent less of the same food as the other
partner’s rations. When the dogs turned 9, the team checked the dogs
for signs of chronic diseases like diabetes. The lean-fed Labs had the
ideal body condition, with abdomen tucked in and ribs prominent.
Their well-fed partners ranged from slightly chubby to obese (15 to 20
percent over ideal weight.) Many in the well-fed group had already
developed a mild form of diabetes.
After all 48 Labrador Retrievers
in the diet study had died of old age, research collaborators (at the
veterinary colleges at Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania,
University of Illinois, and Michigan State) reviewed the records.
Not surprisingly, the trimmer
Labs lived longer, an average of 13.5 years, while the others died at
11.2 years. According to the scientists, most noteworthy was the
decreased incidence of canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Even among dogs
genetically predisposed to CHD, there was significantly less hip
dysplasia in calorie-restricted dogs. “It was dramatic. In the control
group (the well-fed Labs), 16 of 24 had hip dysplasia by two years of
age. Of the 24 dogs in the restricted diet group, only eight had hip
dysplasia and 16 were normal,” said George Lust, a Cornell professor
of Physiological Chemistry.
The leaner Labs also displayed
fewer early-onset signs of aging (such as graying muzzles & impaired
mobility) plus they exhibited fewer health problems like
osteoarthritis. Gail Smith, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the
University of Pennsylvania, addressed the canine implications, “This
study should reinforce for dog owners the importance of keeping their
dogs lean, with palpable ribs and an obvious waistline,” she said.
“Avoid giving dogs too many high-calorie treats and consider a brand
of balanced dog food formulated to be low in caloric content while
providing a sense of satiety.”
“Labs are genetically predisposed
to putting on a few extra pounds as they become older and more
sedentary. The good news is, it’s never too late for any dog to
benefit from a restricted diet,” stated Purina’s Anne McCarthy, D.V.M.
How Can I Tell If My Lab Is
Overweight?
Charts and tables might
give you a general idea of your Lab’s recommended weight range. For
instance, the AKC lists appropriate weight ranges for Labrador
Retriever dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds;
bitches 55 to 70 pounds. However, as in people, some animals are
big-boned and some are fine-boned, so just checking the weight of an
animal can generally not give us enough information to make a
determination. For example, one Labrador Retriever may be in fine
shape at 85 pounds, whereas another could be overweight at 75 pounds.
Additionally if you have a Lab-mix, weight charts may be of no help at
all.
Most veterinarians advocate using
a hands-on approach to assess a dog’s body condition:
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First, run your hands along the rib cage firmly
but without too much pressure. You should be able to feel each of
your Lab’s ribs and the space between them. There should be a slight
amount of fat over them, but each rib should be distinct. If you
can see the ribs, the pet is too thin.
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Next, look at your Lab from the side. Does the
stomach tuck up slightly behind the ribcage, or does it hang?
Overweight animals will have no abdominal tuck.
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Look at your Lab from above. Does his waist
indent and taper, creating an hourglass shape? Or does your Lab look
like a barrel? A healthy dog will have a waist when viewed from
above.
If any of these checks are
absent, your Lab maybe slightly overweight. If all are missing, and if
you notice fleshy deposits over the chest, spine and base of the tail,
your Lab is obese.
What You Can Do
If this is the case and you feel
that your Lab is overweight, consult your veterinarian to determine if
there are any other medical problems before putting your pooch on a
diet.
Your veterinarian can suggest the
best weight reduction program for your pet based on his medical
history.
Some veterinarians recommend
high-protein, high quality meals in smaller portions versus diet
foods, while others believe that low-calorie, high-density foods will
help the dog feel fuller faster. Ask your veterinarian for the best
strategy for your Lab and be sure to follow the exact amount
prescribed. In addition, make sure everyone in the family including
children knows how much and when your dog should eat.
In general, a good goal would be
to have your Lab lose between 0.5-1.0% of his body weight per week or
a 10 percent weight loss overall. For example if you have a 100-pound
dog, a 1-percent weight loss would be 1 pound per week. A weight loss
of 2% or more per week can cause more harm than good. Studies show
that rapid weight loss can increase a loss of lean body mass, which in
turn can contribute to weight regain. Lean body mass burns energy at
far higher levels than fat mass.
If your dog is obese, introduce
exercise slowly and pace yourself. Ohio State’s obesity-therapy
guidelines suggest setting a goal to increase the pet’s activity by 1
minute a day until the goal of 10 minutes a day is reached. Once that
level is attained, the duration can again be slowly increased. Regular
moderate exercise is not only helpful in maintaining an ideal weight,
but also in building muscle mass to help take the strain off the hip
joints. Non-concussive forms of exercise, such as swimming can be most
beneficial.
In Summary
Even though Labs are predisposed
to pack on the pounds, the simple truth is that we are the ones to
blame. Simply put, they take in more calories than they burn. Feeding
over-large portions and not providing enough exercise are the biggest
culprits. “They’re children in some cases, and that’s the reason
owners indulge them, but not necessarily to the good of the pet,” says
James Morris, Ph.D., one author of the Nutritional Requirements of
Cats and Dogs report. Slight behavioral changes on our part can
dramatically increase the quality and quantity of our pet’s lives. And
who wouldn’t want to add two more years to the life of your Lab?
Success Story
Lisa Winkleman of Colorado
Springs, CO was able to help Madison, pictured here at 6 years old, to
lose 28 pounds. When asked how she did it, Lisa stated, “We made sure
she didn’t get any table scrapes and cut down on her treats. My
husband also took her running with him. It was a slow process that
took approximately six months for Madison to shed her excess weight.
Originally, she received smaller portions of her regular adult food,
but it was later when Madison was switched to a diet food that she
started showing the improved results.”
Madison is 9 ½ years old now and
has no signs of arthritis or hip dysplasia. She runs about 3 to 4
times a week with Lisa’s husband Scott, and loves it. Madison shares
her house with 8 other dogs, including three Labs and several Pugs
whom the Winklemans foster through Colorado Pug Rescue.
Would love to hear from any
other success stories of trimming the fat!
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