Seeing your formerly fit dog start packing on pounds can be concerning. Excess weight strains your dog’s health and denies them the active, energetic life they deserve. To get their weight back under control, first understand the range of reasons your dog may be gaining weight.
Common Causes of Canine Weight Gain
Here are the most prevalent factors that contribute to dogs becoming overweight or obese:
Overfeeding
Feeding too much food is one of the most direct causes of weight gain in dogs. Providing excessive calories, free-feeding all day, or giving too many treats all promote weight gain. Overfeeding is easy to correct by measuring proper portions.
Lack of Exercise
When dogs don’t exercise enough, they burn fewer calories and gain weight more easily. Lifestyle changes reducing a dog’s normal activity allow weight creep. Ensuring regular daily exercise helps maintain a healthy weight.
Neutering/Spaying
Neutering and spaying dogs causes metabolic changes that predispose weight gain. On average, neutered dogs are 20% heavier than intact dogs. The drop in sex hormones slows metabolism.
Breed Tendencies
Some breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Beagles, Corgis, and Dachshunds are genetically prone to obesity. Their food motivation and slower metabolism make maintaining ideal weight more challenging.
Age
As dogs age, their metabolism naturally slows while activity decreases. Senior dogs require fewer calories yet often get fed the same amounts as when young. Regular weight checks help adjust portions for aging.
Medical Conditions
Diseases like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and insulin resistance hamper metabolism and predispose weight gain. Medications like steroids or anti-seizure drugs also increase appetite and weight.
Pregnancy/Nursing
Female dogs naturally gain and require more weight when pregnant or nursing puppies. But retaining excess weight after weaning pups contributes to obesity.
Stress & Boredom
Stressed, anxious, or bored dogs tend to overeat. Instead of burning calories through constructive activity, dogs in barren environments or high stress situations are more likely to fill time inactively gnawing on treats or toys while gaining weight.
New Diet
Transitioning your dog’s diet can lead to overfeeding while you determine proper portions. Closely follow feeding guidelines when changing brands or food types.
Paying attention to these common weight gain triggers helps identify the factor(s) contributing to your dog’s obesity problem. Then customized solutions can be implemented.
Health Dangers of Obesity in Dogs
Allowing dog obesity to go unchecked has serious effects including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Decreased stamina and exercise tolerance
- Immune suppression
- Diabetes
- Joint inflammation and arthritis
- Bladder stones
- Hernias
- Skin fold infections
- Breathing issues
- Decreased lifespan
Just as in humans, maintaining a healthy weight is foundational to overall wellbeing and longevity in dogs.
Achieving Weight Loss in Overweight Dogs
If your dog is packing on pounds, take action with this multi-pronged weight loss plan:
Visit Your Vet
Your vet can identify any underlying contributors to obesity like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease requiring specific treatment. They’ll set an ideal target weight and monitor progress.
Adjust Food Portions
Follow your vet’s feeding guidelines to provide just enough calories to achieve gradual weight loss over several months. Measure portions carefully.
Increase Exercise
Add both extra activity minutes and intensity tailored to your dog’s health to burn more calories. Exercise aids muscle development and metabolism.
Upgrade Their Diet
Transition to a weight management dog food with fewer calories yet more nutrients to optimize metabolism and satiety.
Stimulate Their Mind
Prevent boredom eating by providing more mental enrichment with food puzzles, training games, and designated chew toys.
Track Changes Over Time
Weigh your dog weekly and log food amounts to ensure they continue losing at a safe, steady rate of 2-3% of body weight per month.
With diligence and patience, you can safely guide your dog back to a healthy size and shape, restoring mobility and vitality.
Why Did My Dog Suddenly Gain Weight?
Sudden substantial weight gain may indicate:
- An underlying medical condition
- A medication causing increased hunger/fluid retention
- Stress/boredom triggering overeating
- A diet change too high in fats/carbs
- Reduction in exercise from injury, arthritis, etc.
Discuss any sudden gains with your vet to identify causes requiring urgent attention. Gradual, steady weight loss is safest.
Conclusion
Weight gain in dogs creeps up through overfeeding, inactivity, medical conditions, and genetic factors. Canine obesity takes a heavy toll on health and lifespan. Safely getting your dog back to an ideal weight relies on portion control, more exercise, nutritional food, and enriching their lifestyle. With a custom weight loss regimen tailored to your dog’s needs, you can achieve results and regain their healthy, active spirit.
