Hello everyone...got a question about dog weight....msg

[Mary Plummer]

Hope you're all having great Sunday's; it's beautiful in Michigan today. Mr. Blue and I have been out for several long walks, and will go on one more soon. OK, before I ask my question, I already know Mr. Blue is a little pudgy. My question is: how bad/dangerous is it for him to be 6 or 8 lbs. heavier than his vets would like? He's not obese by any means, and I CAN feel his ribs, although they're not prominent at all. My question comes from my discussion at the pet store yesterday, with the beagle people (see The Kennel Their beagle was also a tad on the pudgy side. As we were talking, it came out that both of our vets felt our pets were a bit pudgy, and both I and them felt "Better a bit pudgy than starving thin" (as both of our dogs were when we met them). Will Mr. Blue be at increased risk for heart trouble if he stays a little pudgy? I sure don't want him to be at risk, but I never, EVER want to see him skinny again! It's just hard for me to tell what is best here; one vet wants him to weigh in the upper 40's as opposed to his current 58-9 or so, and another one says he's not obese, and she doesn't see him having problems at his current weight.

Thanks for your opinions on this,

Mary, for a Mr. Blue who wishes he was even pudgier

[Julie B.]

Hi Mary,

I think unfortunately on a 58 lb. dog, 6-8 lbs may be more substantial than you realize. If you figure it is 10-15% over his ideal weight, then that is like a 150 lb person (ideally) weighing 165 to 175 lbs as a comparison. I don't think it's obese by any means, but you can prevent many health problems by keeping his weight lower. I really shouldn't talk, as my dogs aren't the pictures of "svelteness", but I think it is something to consider. This is the formula that we learned in school for recommended calorie intake and recommended calorie intake for weight loss.

RER (or resting energy requirement) is 30X Body Weight (kg) + 70 (if the weight is between 2 and 30 kg, otherwise it is 70X( BW) to the .75 power).

For weight loss you can take IDEAL weight in the equation. For Mister blue, if his ideal weight is 50 lbs, 30X 23kg+70=760 kcal/day. So, find out the calorie content of his food (if not on the label, call or email the company) and plan accordingly. Most foods are between 300-450 calories per cup, so he would get 2-3 cups/day. See what you come up with and let me know.

JB

[k9Karen]

While I agree that 6 - 8 lbs isn't horrible, on a dog that should weigh less than 50 lbs, it is significant. I put Mickey on a diet when he was only 5 lbs overweight and fortunately, he's kept it off.

Unfortunately, overweight dogs are prone to the same medical problems overweight people are. Things like diabetes and joint/hip/knee problems are high on the list of problems that can affect those who are overweight. Recent studies also appear to show a links to fat and cancer and lower life expectancy. If it were me, I'd try to take at least some of the weight off of him. You might be able to do that by simply switching to a lower calorie food. I'm also a strong advocate of the green bean diet. If nothing else, be careful to keep his weight where it is now and not let him get any heavier.

[Traci]

Mary, Julie and Karen are absolutely correct. What I'd like to point out is that owners sometimes feel a few pounds here and there is not going to make a difference. But, it does.

It sounds like you have the exercise down packed. Now you should focus on his diet. As Julie provided, your vet can help you calculate his daily amounts to achieve the most desired result. You must go gradually though, as you don't want significant weight reduction.

My concern would be arthritic conditions, this is common in older dogs anyway, but any extra weight surely adds to the problem. Iams/Eukanuba came out with an excellent study article on the health benefits of leaner dogs and dietary considerations, you should check it out (it's on the Iams website).

You have an excellent vet working for you. Some vets simply pish-posh the idea until problems develp.

[davet]

see my patients a little over weight cause if they got sick and stopped eating,,which they all do, they had some to fall back on....i am not saying fat like my old fat slob but where they would have a little fat over their lumbar muscles and you could feel the ribs fairly well..that is just my opinion and i know it is not scientificly proper but when my patients really got sick, they had a few weeks of tissue to backt hem up......again just an opinion and not probably proper...

[Mary Plummer]

I know that it is completely my fault that he's a bit pudgy, and I want to correct this before problems arise. I think it's more my habit of slipping him dog biscuits too often, than it is of his food consumption. What I really need to do is give him a carrot when I feel like treating him. Funny thing is that neither me nor my hubby is overweight; both of our doctors would like to see us add 10 or so pounds, but at least at this time, neither one of us can, no matter what we eat. So it's certainly not that I want my dog in my condition. Anyway, thanks...you've confirmed something I already knew (even if I didn't want to

[TheSkeptic]

I agree with Davet. I think a little extra doesn't hurt, especially when they get sick. Of course you couldn't tell that by looking at my dogs.

[newfie]

In my breed i am a stickler for easily feeling each rib and in between and the spine being easily felt.
it is very dangerous for our giants if they are overweight and i keep mine thin, when they go swimming under all that hair they are thin, i think they are overall healthier, and may live a bit longer with less joint problems.
if after winter any of them puts on three extra pounds to five i will take them down immediatly i wish i could do so for myself!