The problems with overfeeding your dog

Overweight dogs are common, and easy to miss

Surveys of vets in the US and the UK suggest that around half of pet dogs are overweight. Weight goes on slowly, a few treats and a slightly full scoop at a time, so owners often do not notice. When most dogs around you are a little heavy, a heavy dog starts to look normal.

What extra weight does to a dog

Extra body fat is linked to a long list of problems in dogs, including:

• Joint pain and arthritis: more weight on the hips, knees and elbows, and earlier, worse arthritis.
• Diabetes: overweight dogs are more likely to develop it.
• Breathing trouble and heat stress: fat around the chest makes breathing harder, which matters most in hot weather and for flat-faced breeds.
• Less energy: heavier dogs tire sooner and play less, which makes it easier to gain more.
• Higher risk in surgery and anaesthesia, and some skin and urinary problems.

Lean dogs tend to live longer

A well known study followed pairs of Labrador puppies from the same litters for their whole lives. One dog in each pair was fed 25% less than its sibling. The leaner dogs lived about 1.8 years longer (median), and needed treatment for long-term conditions such as arthritis later than their siblings. A slightly lean dog is a healthier dog than a slightly heavy one.

Overfeeding puppies

Puppies need more food than adults, but too much makes them grow too fast. In large and giant breeds, fast growth is linked to bone and joint problems. Feed a food made for puppies of their expected adult size, follow the guide for their age, and keep them lean rather than chubby. Ask your vet if you are unsure.

How to tell if your dog is overweight

Vets use a body condition score, usually from 1 (very thin) to 9 (very overweight), with 4 or 5 as ideal. You can do a simple version at home:

• Ribs: run your hands along the sides. You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer, like the back of your hand. If you have to press to find them, your dog is carrying extra.
• Waist from above: looking down, there should be a clear waist behind the ribs.
• Tummy tuck from the side: the belly should rise up behind the ribs, not hang level or sag.
• Other signs: fat pads over the hips or at the base of the tail, a harness that keeps needing loosening, or panting and tiring on short walks.

Each step above ideal on the 9 point scale is roughly 10% more body weight than your dog should have, so a score of 7 means carrying about 20% too much.

What to do if your dog is overweight

• See your vet first, to rule out medical causes and agree a target weight.
• Feed for the target weight, weighed on a scale, and take treat calories off the meals. The feeding guide has a calculator for this, with a weight loss level.
• Switch to small, low calorie treats, or use kibble from the day’s meal. The training treats guide has ideas.
• Cut out table scraps, which are often fatty and add up fast.
• Aim for slow loss, about 1 to 2% of body weight a week, and weigh your dog every two weeks.

If you change to a new, lighter food, do it over a week or so, as in How to switch dog food safely.

Common questions