Dog Weight Control information at iams.com

Iams Home > Iams Support > Pet Related Articles > Article Page

SUPPORT

Get info tailored to your pet's needs, news and valuable tips to help you enjoy more healthy years with your best friend. SIGN UP TODAY!

Managing Your Dog's Weight

: : Dogs Need Protein
: : Definition Of Obesity
: : Important Nutrients
: : Gradual Weight Loss

Dogs Need Protein
Obesity is a common problem in dogs. Identifying the causes and following a total weight management program can result in controlled weight loss and maintenance. A total weight management program includes evaluating your dog, then modifying behaviors and successful dog weight control.

RETURN TO TOP

Definition, Causes and Contributing Factors to Obesity

Definition Of Obesity
Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, resulting from an accumulation of excess body fat.

Causes Of Obesity
Obesity is caused when caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure. This simply means that a dog eats more energy (calories) than he uses and stores the excess energy.

Factors Contributing To Obesity

Overfeeding
Inactivity
Breed
Age and Sex
Spay/neuter status
Diabetes mellitus
Hyperadrenocorticism
Hypothyroidism

RETURN TO TOP

Important Nutrients

Fat and Carbohydrates

Dogs use fat as their primary energy source. An overweight dog stores fat more easily if the calories are consumed in the form of fat than if they are from carbohydrates. An overweight or obese dog should be fed a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet to restrict calories available from fat, which is important for dog weight control.

Fiber and Fatty Acids

A normal fiber level, provided in a moderately fermentable fiber source, helps create and maintain healthy digestion. This is especially important to the dog on a diet. Some weight-loss foods for dogs dilute calories with high levels of fiber. High-fiber foods may reduce the digestibility and absorption of many nutrients, including fat. These foods reduce weight by providing what would be considered poor-quality nutrition. These high-fiber diets also result in large, frequent stools and decreased skin and coat condition. Diets that provide essential fatty acids, like those found in vitamin-rich fish oils, help maintain your dog�s healthy skin and coat, despite lowered fat levels.

RETURN TO TOP

Gradual Weight Loss
The goal of a good weight management program should be gradual weight loss. Dogs should lose 1% to 2% of their initial weight per week. This can be achieved by reducing the caloric intake by 30% to 50% of maintenance.

A total weight management program can lead to successful weight loss in the obese dog. Before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian. Remember, your support is essential to your dog�s weight control success.

Read about Mature Dogs.

RETURN TO TOP