Canine Obesity - A Growing Problem

It is an unfortunate situation that so many dogs are overweight.  It is truly a growing problem, and one with great concern.  Just as it is unhealthy for humans to be overweight, so it is for our furry companions.  Obesity can bring on disease such as diabetes, skin conditions, digestive problems, arthritis, heart disease and many other issues.  It’s also easier to put on, just like with people, and much harder to take off.  Same concept, less calories, more exercise.  Eating selections for dogs are the responsibility of the pet owner, where for us, we make our choices, and those preferences affect our weight.  Poor choices need to be replaced with better ones.

For dogs, raw is best; home-cooked is good; dry food or kibble, I really don’t recommend as it is too high in carbs (which I am going to discuss more), canned – I do not recommended for weight loss either.  Treats, which I feel should be few can include raw baby carrots and small pieces of apples, both organic preferably. Occasionally dog biscuits, homemade being the preference. If your dog is obese, starting an exercise program can be a challenge.  Progress will be slow, so the need for patience will be great.  Walking is the best choice for exercise, as most people and dogs can do at least a little.  You can also consider water therapy, especially for older dogs or ones with joint issues.  How much and for how long? Well, it depends on the dog’s age and current health status.  If five minutes is a starting point, then five minutes.  As your dog’s weight drops and his/her health improves, you can increase the time and even the intensity.  Always check with your veterinarian if you are not sure, and let them know you are adding an exercise program to their routine.  Below is a canine body condition score chart.  Study this, then take a look at your dog and see where he/she scores.

 

There are those who think an overweight dog is a ‘loved’ dog.  No doubt, you love your pet…I would certainly hope so.  However, an overweight dog is an unhealthy dog, and overfeeding is a poor practice, just as it is for a person.  Overfeeding can cause diarrhea and feeding improperly can produce cancer environments internally.  The main problem in the canine diet is over consumption of carbohydrates.  This type of feeding over a long period of time, usually the lifespan of the dog is the main culprit in the disease issues I have mentioned thus far, not to neglect mentioning that overweight dogs have more difficulty controlling blood glucose levels.  I know most of you out there are feeding your dog dry (or kibble) food, and will probably continue to do so.  I hope you will consider a raw diet, as this is truly the diet dogs need to consume for optimum health.

I believe vets are still focused on the 20^th Century thought process of pharmaceutical treatment, especially when recommending the prescription dog foods.  On the contrary, proper nutrition needs to be considered as a component of treatment in obesity…for it is there that true weight loss will find its cure.  In researching to write this blog, a common practice of mine, I checked out one of the dry foods formulated for weight loss from Hill’s Prescription Diet.  I am including the ingredient list from their ‘Canine Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution’ formula:

Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Pea Bran Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Soybean Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Pork Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Lactic Acid, Powdered Cellulose, Pork Liver Flavor, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Iodized Salt, Dried Carrots, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Lipoic Acid, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols added to retain freshness, Citric Acid added to retain freshness, Beta-Carotene, Phosphoric Acid, Rosemary Extract.

What I see on this ingredient list are numerous known allergens to the canine such as wheat, corn and soy.  Way too many carbs! I have mentioned before on how to calculate the carbohydrate percentage for dry dog food.  By law, manufacturer’s do not have to disclose this information (then you’d be too informed and probably wouldn’t buy their food).  One surprising thing was, Hill’s included it on their nutrient chart, however, I don’t think it’s accurate.  There’s not enough information provided to come to the carb content of 38.7% that it shows.  You will typically see the protein, fat, ash, fiber and moisture percentages listed.  To obtain the carbohydrate percentage, you start with 100(%) and subtract the % of protein, ash, fat and moisture and you will get your percentage of carbohydrates.  With the information supplied I can take 100 minus 29.8 (the protein), 11.6 (the fat) and that’s it (fiber is not calculated).    I come up with 58.6% carbs.  That really sounds like to me what it actually is, as I have found even the high end dry dog foods are around 50-55% carbs.  Hill’s even touts on their website that ‘88% of dogs lost weight in two months at home’.  I really question these kinds of claims, and I don’t apologize for my skepticism.

Don’t assume the pet food industry at large is accurate in their research of what your dog needs, and that these foods are ‘optimum’ diets.  You’re the pet parent….your dog is your responsibility…from pottie breaks, to feeding to vetting. I believe the prescription diets are a lot of hollow hype, and don’t solve a problem, but create further issues down the line.  This is not how dogs were intended to eat.  I don’t buy into it.  My dogs no longer have kibble in their diet.  Any time in the past when an upset stomach or some other issue has risen, the kibble was the first to get eliminated.   Nutrition is a continual learning process, and I have acquired a great deal of insight and information in the last five years when I started home cooking for my dogs.  More recently, in the last 12-18 months, I have discovered that raw is best, and now that I have made that change for them, I am starting to see positive results in just 6 weeks!  It’s your decision, you’ll feed your dog what you choose.  My hope in creating, writing and continuing this blog is to inform and educate pet parents so they can make the best decision for their dog, as they are one family member that will never outgrow their dependence on you.

Proactive Observation

Being a pet parent is quite a responsibility….a long-term one, especially when raising a dog from a puppy to senior canine.  Every dog deserves owners who are dedicated to their health and well-being. We can all play an active role in aiding a long, healthy life by the choices we make for them.  It is unfortunate that so many (myself included in the past) have been brain-washed by the big corporate dog food industry and ill-trained practitioners. Lifespans can be as long as 15 to 20 years, and especially to those who start with a young dog, this time allows a great opportunity to be of most benefit, as it is important to start off on the right paw!  There is a challenge to adopting an older dog, and especially when little or nothing is known of the dog’s past care.  However, that being said, immediate focus to detail such as behaviors and nutrition need to be of utmost consideration because these can communicate a wealth of information to issues that need to be addressed…and some quite quickly.

My (human) nutritional background spans almost three decades.  In that time I have read and been exposed to a lot of health and nutrition information.  Throughout those years, I have learned much by personal application, and a lot through assisting family, friends and co-workers, how to sift through the vast and overwhelming hype to find out what really works.  My conclusion has long been, that which nature provides for us is far superior to what man formulates.  Creation has no need to compete with man, because what is provided is very good, it’s been around a long time.  There is no need to build or add on to it.  There is no greed involved, as monetary compensation means nothing, but to man it will always be about the profit possibilities. Once you can rid yourself of that mindset, the sooner you can reap the benefits of natural remedies not only for yourself, but for your dog as well. It is necessary to take charge of this area, and not leave it to someone else who feels you are not capable of knowing how to feed your dog.  Personally, that ruffles my feathers to think they believe I’m not smart enough! It’s not the rocket science propaganda that is so prevalent in the public eye.

There are two things specifically I have been reading about lately, and I am very excited to learn more and really delve into so I can share this information with my blog readers.  I have said before that you need to monitor your dog.  Know what is normal so when something isn’t, you recognize it.  It doesn’t pay to be passive.  Realizing an issue promptly can be a literal life-saver to your dog.  The sooner a problem is realized, the better prognosis for true healing.  I recall many years ago reading a couple articles about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  At that time it just wasn’t something I felt I needed to pursue.  Now, with my continuing studies on canine nutrition, I am reading more about holistic alternatives.  This is an area I have long felt is the right direction.  There are times when ‘western medicine’, such as antibiotics and surgery are necessary.  This should not and does not have to be the norm.  Simply treating symptoms does not get to the origin of the problem; in fact, many times it makes it worse, not mentioning numerous and sometimes life-threatening side effects.  Prescription drugs contain ingredients that man has formulated; elements that are toxic to our bodies.  This in turn causes other issues and thus a viscous cycle of more and more intruders invading us that our systems view as harmful, setting in motion an overwhelming response which triggers more and so on and so on.  It can get to a point of no return…the body becomes so overcome, it shuts down.

Herbs and natural remedies are more gentle and compatible with the biological rhythms of our bodies.  In this area, our canine companions are no different than we are.  They too require this approach, as this is what they would experience in the wild.  Yes, we have domesticated these creatures and brought them into our toxic world, and they simply cannot survive under these extreme, unnatural conditions. Don’t let anyone tell you any different, because it’s simply not possible.  Our unhealthy practices are causing them to develop diseases that they should never have to deal with.  It is our responsibility to bring them back into balance by doing what is right.  TCM, along with implementing the five element theory and kinesiology to detect allergies, will greatly enhance their lives.  Our pets for most of us are family, we need to be proactive proponents for them.  Watch your dog…he’s trying to tell you something.  Are you listening?

 

Bring Fido

Dogs have sure come a long way from the days of 'farm hands'.  Now majority of dog owners consider these furry companions to be family.  I know I do, and I'm sure most of my blog readers would agree.  It's becoming more and more common that since they have reached this status, that we want them to go places with us.  Due to this, businesses are becoming more 'pet friendly'.  You'd probably be surprised to find exactly where all you can take Fido these days!

Here is a wonderful website to find out just where your adventures can begin! Bring Fido (http://www.bringfido.com/) has quite an extensive listing.  You can browse pet friendly destinations worldwide!  Enter a 'quick search' on a city and go!  There are pet friendly accommodations such as hotels, bed and breakfast, camping....dog air travel, pet services, dog friendly attractions such as beaches, hiking, tours and shopping.

With the warmth of summer under our toes, there are listings of outdoor restaurants and dog events.  The little extras on the website include dog pictures (you can even send a free dog e-postcard!), a dog forum and free stuff for pets.  And if you find a place or know of a place that isn't listed, you can add it yourself!  It's a very useful resource for pet parents.  Need some human assistance? You can even speak to a pet friendly travel expert.  What's not to love about all this?

Please remember, never leave your dog in a vehicle on a hot day...even just 75 degrees outside can be 120 degrees inside in just a half hour! Leave your dog at home...safe in a climate controlled environment.  I've taken my dog with me to the drive-up at the bank, into Home Depot and Lowe's...and pet stores are always, of course, pet friendly.  There's no reason to put their life at risk for you to go off an do something and leave them.  Enjoy this summer with your loyal friend and be safe.  Being able to spend quality time with this special family member is a great bonding experience that every dog lover should partake of.