How can I tell if my dog is overweight?

The best way to determine if your dog is overweight is to look at a body condition score (BCS). The system that I prefer is the scale of 1 to 9. Using this scale, a BCS of 1 represents a very thin dog, skin and bones, and a BCS of 9 represents a very obese dog with heavy fat deposits over the entire body.

Body condition scores of 4 or 5 are considered ideal. A dog with an ideal BCS will have the ribs easily palpable with light fingertip pressure, without excess fat covering them. The waist will be easily viewed from above and the abdomen will have a tucked up appearance when viewed from the side. The ribs and tops of the vertebrae should not be visible.

When using this system, breed variations must be taken into account. Some dogs, like gray hounds, have long bodies and will maintain a waste line and abdominal tuck while carrying significant excess weight. On the other extreme, dogs like schnauzers and pugs tend to have a short body and more of a barrel shape even when on the thin side of normal.

Using a body condition score system provides a much more accurate means of determining body condition than do charts. One chart I have in the clinic says a male Labrador retriever should weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. I regularly see individuals of this breed overweight at 60 pounds or with a normal weight over 90 pounds. I have even seen some underweight at 120 pounds. There is so much variation within breeds that these charts do not work well.

The rate of canine (and feline) obesity is similar to that of humans. The statistics vary between about 45% and 60%. Similar to humans, overweight or obese pets have significant health problems affecting their quality of life and longevity. We often see problems with respiration, heart disease, the skin and arthritis. Additionally, because they are overweight, they tend to be less active and unable to do normal dog things.

Purina completed a lifetime study of Labrador retrievers a few years ago. They showed that overweight dogs have more diseases overall (and at a younger age) and about a 2-year shorter life expectancy than a dog with a normal body condition. For an animal with about an 11-year average life expectancy, 2 years is a significant amount of life.

Weight is best controlled with proper diet and exercise. When too many calories are consumed, these calories are deposited as fat. Controlling access to food and not giving large amounts of treats or other empty calories will help control weight gain. Treats are an important part of our relationships with our pets, but moderation is needed. The treat just needs to be big enough to be a reward, and that amount is only a taste. Food does not equal love.

Diet foods are available to help pets shed extra pounds. These foods are by prescription only. They are designed to decrease the calorie density while maintaining appropriate levels of other nutrients. Simply decreasing the amount of a maintenance food decreases both the calories and other nutrients to the detriment of the pet.

February 2008 is the first-ever National Canine Weight Check. Participating clinics are offering free canine weight assessments. This includes a body condition score, a Body Assessment Rating for Canines (BARC) quiz, and a free thermal blanket. You can visit www.StopCanineObesity.com for more information and to get a list of other participating veterinary clinics.

Have your pet evaluated for obesity today and get them on the road to a healthier and longer life.

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