Podgy Pooches!

So although the title sounds quite cute, the reality is that overweight dogs are a very serious problem verging on an epidemic (and we don’t want any more of those). Society shows us pictures in marketing, on TV, in the media and in advertising of dogs who are obese, which skews our perception of how our dogs should look. These pictures are even on vet websites and dog food packaging, so we are regularly bombarded with inappropriate representations of how our dogs should look! Overweight dogs are more prone to illness, injury and life-limiting disease.

As pet guardians we are responsible for the health and wellbeing of our dog, including whether they become obese or not! If our dog is overweight, WE are the direct cause of that, so we have to be prepared to undo the damage. Our dog’s weight often correlates to our own, and given the state of the world and our emotions over the past two years, it’s not surprising most of us have put on a few pounds! However, we can CHOOSE whether or not to eat that packet of biscuits; dogs cannot. We are responsible for feeding and treating them, so we force the weight on them. As a prime example, I am overweight and have low willpower when it comes to chocolate, biscuits, sweets, cheese… the list is extensive! My dogs are not overweight. What I choose to eat is my choice; what my dogs get to eat is my responsibility. Simple!

What should a healthy dog look like?

So what should your dog look like, as opposed to the dog version of a seal or a coffee table? There are shape differences between breeds in terms of conformation, but a couple of simple rules apply to every breed:

• When you look at your dog from the side, they should tuck up after their rib cage.
• Looking at your dog from above, they should nip in at the waist just after the rib cage.
• When you feel over your dog’s chest, you should be able to comfortably feel their ribs without pushing!

What should you feed them?

With nutrition there is no one-size-fits-all rule! Not every diet suits every dog, and I always look for the best balance of nutrition against cost; more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. There is a fantastic website, allaboutdogfood.co.uk, that rates food out of 100 for nutrition alongside its cost per day for your size of dog.

Coming in highest are complete raw food diets, most rated 99/100, which is pretty spectacular. Raw feeding is not the best option for all owners, and that is ok. Some people find it uncomfortable to deal with, there can be concerns for immunocompromised people in contact with the dogs, it can be cost prohibitive and some people just don’t like it. For me personally, it is just too expensive to raw feed four dogs!

Close behind are a number of freeze-dried raw diets (97/100) which, especially from a storage perspective, are a great alternative. They can still be pricey, but may suit the majority of people who need something versatile and transportable.

Then the wet and dry foods make an entrance with the likes of Orijen (95), Edgard & Cooper (95), Butternut Box (94), Acana (94) and Forthglade (92). These are all fairly accessible diets with fantastic nutrition ratings, so there are plenty of options to suit your dog’s needs and tastes.

The other side of the coin

Then there are foods with next to no nutritional value that are incredibly popular. These diets also have a negative impact on behaviour. Five of the lowest rated were brands I see people feeding regularly:

• Tesco Complete Adult Dry: 2/100
• Pedigree Small Dog Dry: 4/100
• Arkwrights: 12/100
• Bakers Adult: 17/100
• Skinners Field and Trial Maintenance: 25/100

I hope you’ll agree those are horrifying ratings. You wouldn’t choose to eat something with a nutritional rating of 2/100, so what benefit will it be to your dog? It is insufficient to maintain their bodies through growth, development, illness, life. All it achieves is excessive rubbish in, excessive faeces out, worse behaviour and wasted money.

One diet needs an honourable (negative) mention: Harringtons. Although it has a nutritional rating of 54/100, it does terrible things to dogs’ behaviour. I’m not sure exactly why, whether it’s a specific ingredient or how it is processed or digested, but every dog I have seen on Harringtons has improved significantly after changing diet. Definitely one to avoid!

How much to feed

Look at the packet guidelines for the size and age of your dog, but remember you are feeding for the size your dog should be, not necessarily the size they are. If your dog should be 15kg but is actually 20kg, feed them for a 15kg dog. Most guidelines give a range, so start in the range and adjust: up a little if they lose weight they don’t need to, down if they start to put weight on.

An overweight dog can still have treats; it’s about compromise, moderation and being sensible. If you use lots of treats, reduce their meals to account for the extra calories. Try lighter versions of their favourites, or natural swaps: a carrot instead of a dentastix, boiled chicken instead of fatty sausages. For a dog it’s about quality over quantity, so chop those treats up really small. I promise your dog won’t notice!

All in all, we are our dogs’ advocates. That doesn’t mean bankrupting yourself; it means finding the best nutritionally balanced food that fits your budget. A healthy weight and the right nutrients reduce the risk of illness and injury, leading to a longer and happier life for your dog.