Overweight Dog Help

There are many reasons why it is important to keep your pet at an ideal body weight and body condition. Animals who are overweight or obese are more prone to serious life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or degenerative joint disease just to mention a few. Each and every time you come in to see our veterinarians at The College Manor Veterinary Hospital, your pet will receive a body condition score between 1-5. Typically, we would like to see all pets at a 3 as that means they are ideal. Anything greater than 3 is cause for concern and an action plan to be formulated with you and the doctor.

When is a dog considered to be overweight?

We typically use a scale from 1-5 to assess the body condition of all pets that come into the clinic. The score of 3 is ideal and means that you can easily palpate your dog’s ribs without too much pressure, you can see a waistline when you look at them from above and a nice tuck up in the abdominal area. If you cannot feel your dog’s ribs with light pressure and they have no waistline or tuck up in the abdomen, chances are they have been shown a little too much love by their caretakers and could use a dietary consult and weight loss program initiated by one of our wonderful staff. Please call us at 905-853-4706 to set up your weight loss consult and help your canine friend get back on track as soon as possible.

Are some breeds prone to obesity?

Yes, there are some breeds of dogs that are more prone to being overweight. These include, but are not limited to pugs, labs, and chihuahuas. Any dog can become obese if their calorie consumption is not carefully monitored if they don’t get out for regular exercise and become couch potatoes or are showered with too much love in the form of treats or people food from their owners. It’s never about the size of the treat, it’s just the receiving of the treat that makes the reward experience more fun. Try low calories treats such as carrots with your canine companions. You may be surprised at how many dogs actually love them.

Why should you have weight loss & management consultation at the clinic?

Healthy weight = longer life. This is why it is so very important to monitor your pet’s daily rations and make sure you are not overfeeding or over-treating them. Obesity can be a contributing factor in many disease processes such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint trouble, so maintaining a healthy weight will also improve your dog’s longevity. If you suspect your dog is suffering from ongoing weight issues, speak to one of our trained staff who would be happy to help you work out a diet and exercise plan tailored to the specific needs of your dog.