Staci Lemke 00:00:00 When I worked in veterinary medicine, I was somewhat obsessed with two health concerns that I saw almost on a daily basis. And those were dogs with dirty, gross teeth and dogs that were overweight. And I was passionate about these because they are two health concerns that are 100% preventable in the US. Approximately 59% of dogs are considered overweight or obese, according to the American Pet Products Association and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. This means millions of dogs are carrying extra weight, which can lead to health problems. I mean, just the fact that there is an association for pet obesity prevention should tell you that there’s a problem. So in this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt podcast, I’m focusing on dog obesity. I’ll discuss how to tell if your dog is overweight, the biggest causes of obesity, and more importantly, what you can do about it. Plus, I’m going to bust some common myths like, oh, he’s just fluffy or a little extra weight is fine. So if you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is at a healthy weight, or if you just want to make sure your pup lives the longest, happiest life they can, then keep listening because this episode is for you.
Staci Lemke 00:01:12 Welcome to the Well-mannered Mutt podcast. I’m Staci Lemke, certified professional dog trainer, registered veterinary technician, and proud owner of manners for Mutts Dog Training. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped countless dog owners just like you build stronger, happier relationships with their furry friends. From private lessons to online courses, I’m here to help make life with your dog easier and more rewarding. I believe in training that is kind, fun, and scientifically proven. Positive reinforcement is at the core of everything I do, because it’s the most effective way to teach your dog while strengthening your bond. Whether you’re tackling basic training, solving behavior challenges, or just looking for tips to keep your pup thriving, you’re in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode and take the first step toward having the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. So how do we know if our dog is overweight or obese? A dog is considered overweight when they are 10 to 20% above their ideal body weight, and they’re considered obese when they exceed 20% or more of their body weight.
Staci Lemke 00:02:23 For example, a Labrador retriever with a healthy weight of 65 would be considered overweight at 71 and obese at 78 plus pounds. But since every dog’s ideal weight varies by breed, size and activity level, here are three simple ways for you to assess your dog’s weight. First, the rib test. You’re going to run your hands along your dog’s ribs from right behind their neck, all the way down to where their ribs end. If they’re at a healthy weight, you should easily feel the ribs with a very slight fat covering. If they’re overweight, you’re going to have to press in a bit firmly to feel the ribs. If they’re obese, you won’t be able to fill the ribs at all underneath a thick layer of fat. Next is the waist check, and in this one, you’re going to stand above your dog and you’re going to look down on their back. If they’re at a healthy weight, a visible waistline should tuck in right behind where the ribs end. If they’re overweight, you will get a straight or slightly rounded shape with no visible waist.
Staci Lemke 00:03:26 And if they’re obese, you’re going to get a fully rounded or bulging body shape. The third one is the side profile test, and what you’re going to do is you’re going to look at your dog from the side while they’re standing squarely. If they’re at a healthy weight, the abdomen should tuck up slightly right behind where the rib cage ends. If they’re overweight, you’re going to get a saggy belly and little or no tuck up. And if they’re obese, you’re going to get a rounded hanging stomach with fat deposits near the hips and the chest. Now you can also consult a body condition. Score chart. A BCS chart is a visual tool used by veterinarians and pet owners to assess a dog’s overall body fat percentage and health by assigning a numerical score based on how easily their ribs, spine, and hips can be felt, as well as the presence of a visible waistline, and the numerical scores range from 1 to 9, so a body condition score of 1 to 3 is going to be underweight. You’re going to have visible ribs, spine and hip bones with little body fat.
Staci Lemke 00:04:30 4 to 5 is going to be ideal. The ribs can easily be felt with a defined waist and an abdominal tuck. 6 to 7 is overweight, ribs are harder to feel and waistline is less visible, and 8 to 9 is obese. With thick fat deposits, no visible waist, and sometimes difficulty moving. I’ve attached a box score chart in the show notes so that you can check your own dog’s body condition. Is your cute and cuddly puppy suddenly misbehaving? That same puppy that wanted nothing more than to be with you 24 over seven now, doesn’t even seem to know that you exist. Your dog is not a puppy anymore. He’s now an adolescent. If you’re missing out on the true joy of sharing your life with a dog because of your puppy’s new naughty behaviors, then check out my online course, Surviving Your Dog’s Adolescence. This course will help you understand the changes your dog is going through, and will give you a simple, step by step training strategy. You’ll get all the tools you need to eliminate unwanted behaviors and create the well-mannered dog of your dreams.
Staci Lemke 00:05:38 Simply go to manners for mutts.com Backslash Adolescence to sign up today. Now, with all this information readily available, why are so many dogs overweight? One of the big reasons for overweight dogs in today’s society, at least in the US, is that people are so used to seeing overweight dogs that many don’t even recognize an overweight one when they see it. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of dogs are overweight or obese. However, a survey among pet owners conducted in 2023 showed a lack of awareness about this issue. Only 17% of dog owners acknowledged that their pets were overweight. That means that 84% of dog owners considered their pets body condition to be healthy, when in reality many of those dogs were overweight. Many dog owners also unknowingly contribute to their pets weight gain due to myths and misunderstandings. Some owners believe a few extra pounds aren’t a big deal, especially if their dog seems active and happy. However, even a small amount of excess weight can have serious health consequences. A shortened lifespan, increased joint stress, and a higher risk of disease like diabetes and heart disease can all be attributed to excess weight.
Staci Lemke 00:06:59 He’s just fluffy is another misconception. A thick, fluffy coat may hide your dog’s true body shape. That’s why the rib test is so important. You have to feel the dog to determine their body condition. Another big reason so many dogs are overweight is by overfeeding and too many treats. Combined with the lack of exercise and mental stimulation, most people have no clue how much to feed their dog or what their dog’s daily caloric needs are. So later in the podcast, I’m going to tell you how to calculate how many calories a day your dog needs, and the results may surprise you. Now, there are a few medical reasons why a dog may be overweight, so hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes are a few conditions that come to mind, and these are easy to test for. If you suspect that your dog may have a medical reason for gaining weight. And while it’s not a medical condition. Hormonal changes after spaying and neutering can slow metabolism, making weight gain more likely if food intake and exercise are not adjusted.
Staci Lemke 00:08:03 Once we determine that our dog is overweight and we’ve ruled out any medical issues, what can we do about it? Well, the first thing you can do is diet and portion control reading the dog food labels to determine the caloric content, and this will be listed on the bag as kilocalories per cup, so k cal per cup measuring their meals. In other words, no free feeding. You want to use a standard eight ounce measuring cup, not the 64oz from the gas station mini mart. And you want to choose lower calorie but nutrient dense foods. Next comes exercise and mental stimulation. So daily walks, playtime and interactive toys all burn energy. The interactive toys are going to burn mental energy. So rather than feeding your dog out of a bowl, you can use a food dispensing toy. And when starting an exercise program, adjust the intensity of the activities for overweight dogs in order to prevent injury. So you want to start slowly and gradually build up as your dog gets into better shape. And last, we want to make sure that we’re using healthy treats or treat alternatives.
Staci Lemke 00:09:10 So low calorie treat ideas can include things such as fruits and veggies. And you can always use toys instead of food for rewards for good behavior. With all this talk about diet, portion control, and healthy treats, I bet you’re wondering how many calories per day your dog actually needs. Well, there’s a formula for that, and I’m going to briefly cover this here, but I’m also going to add the formula to the show notes for you so that you can calculate your dog’s daily caloric requirement. So first we need to calculate your dog’s resting energy requirement or RR. The RR is the number of calories a dog needs to maintain basic body functions when at rest. So to calculate the error. You multiply your dog’s weight in kilograms by 30 and then add 70. To convert your dog’s weight from pounds to kilograms, you divide their weight by 2.2. So, for example, let’s say that your dog weighs 35 pounds. You take 35 and you divide that by 2.2, which roughly equals 16. Then you take 16 and you multiply it by 30, which gives you 477.
Staci Lemke 00:10:21 And then you add 70 to that which equals 547. So your 35 pound dog would require 547 calories per day when at rest. And this just gives you a rough estimate. Then we have to consider things like age, current body condition and activity level in order to get a closer number. And as I said, I’ve laid all this out for you in the show notes. Helping your dog maintain a healthy weight is about what your dog looks like. It’s about health. Even small changes like adjusting portions, adding more activity, and choosing healthier treats can make a huge difference in your dog’s quality of life. If you’re unsure about your dog’s weight, try the rib test or check with your vet. The goal isn’t just weight loss, it’s giving your dog the longest, happiest, and healthiest life possible. Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt. If you’ve got questions about today’s episode or an idea for a topic you’d love to hear about, let’s connect.
Staci Lemke 00:11:25 You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for mutts. Also, be sure to visit mannersformutts.com for links, resources, and more! If this episode helped you and your pup, I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps me create even more content to support you and your furry friend. Talk to you next time.
