How do I stop my lab from getting fat

How To Tell If Your Labrador Is Overweight and what to do about it

Worried that your Labrador is overweight? Here are the signs that he might need to drop a few pounds, and some easy ways for you to help him lose weight. Todays guest post is by Kate OBrien from the Slimdoggy website

Labradors are known for their appetites. As a result of those healthy appetites and their ability to charm humans intofeeding them, they also are known for being a little chunky or in reality, overweight.

Labs are sporting dogs and are meant to run, swim, hunt and retrieve all day long. If your Labrador is overweight, you might worry that you are limiting his ability to do these things. In order to do that they must be healthy, strong and fit, not fat. Maybe you dont hunt with your Lab; many if not most Labs are family pets, but that doesnt mean they should be couch potatoes with an extra layer or two of fat.

A growing problem

Overweight dogs are a growing problem, pun intended. In the UK it is estimated that over one-third of all dogs are overweight¹ and in the US, that figure rises to an astounding 54%.² Labs are particularly susceptible to obesity and in the US, over 60% are overweight.

Why should we worry? What difference does it make if Buddy has a few extra pounds? Well, if you love Buddy and want him to live a long life, it makes a difference.

Weight and longevity

In the first-ever lifelong canine diet restriction study, a group of Labrador Retrievers was followed for 14 years, from birth until death.

They found that a dogs median life span can be extended by 15%, nearly two years for the Labs in the study, by restricting their diet to maintain ideal body condition.³

By keeping your Lab lean and fit you could extend their life for TWO YEARS. Thats a lot of extra time to spend with your best friend.

A lean dog also has fewer health and joint problems. Labs have a natural propensity for hip and elbow issues but keeping them fit helps keep arthritis at bay. Other serious diseases linked to being overweight include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer.

Is my dog too fat?

Convinced you want to keep your dog fit, but dont know how to tell if they are at the proper weight? You are not alone. In the same survey from PDSA, they report that only 17% of owners look at body shape and weight before deciding how much to feed their pet, and 85% of vets say owners have no idea of healthy body shape for their pet.⁴

We wanted to offer a few suggestions to help you assess the body condition of your Lab.

1. The first thing is to have an honest look at them. There are numerous body conformation charts for dogs you can use as a guide. We provide links to several different at the end of this article. Whichever chart you prefer, they all depict a waistline when looking at your dog from above and a slight tuck up behind the ribs. Take that guide and go look at your dog.Many folks argue that a Lab isnt supposed to have a tuck or a waist, but that standard is for show Labs and lets be honest, some of those show dogs are overweight. The reality for most of you is that your dog isnt a show dog, so having a tuck and being leaner than the show dogs you see on TV is better for their health and longevity.
2. The second evaluation you can perform is whether you feel their ribs when you run your hands lightly over the sides of your dog. Note I said lightly, you shouldnt have to press in; you should easily feel them. Actually seeing the ribs of your Lab might mean your dog is too thin, so be careful of that as well.
3. The scale is the third tool to use in your assessment. Weigh your dog and ask your Vet about their weight. Many vets are reluctant to bring up the subject of your pet being overweight, but if you express your concern, they will most likely give you an honest assessment. Be open to what they say.

What should he weigh?

The average Lab will weigh somewhere between 60-85 lbs or between 27-30 kgs. Use this range as a guide but be aware that some Labs with smaller or larger bone structures can be outside of the range and still be perfectly fit and at their optimal weight. Once you have an idea of whether your Lab is overweight or not, what do you do if they are?

Feeding for health

First and foremost, you have to educate yourself about what you are feeding your dog. Reading the dog food label and following what it says doesnt work. Those labels dont take into account the current condition of your dog, their age or their exercise level, all of which are important factors in how much your dog should eat each day. And they clearly dont take into account those extra treats you give your dog!

Most people dont properly measure their dogs food or even know how many calories are in the food they give them each day.

What about exercise?

Do you have any idea how many calories your dog burns each day? How can you figure out how many calories they need to eat if you dont know how many they burn? Too much work you say, just throw a scoop or two (or three) of food in the bowl and be done with it? Thats how you end up with an overweight and unhealthy Lab.

Theres an app for that!

Figuring this out really isnt as hard as it sounds because, of course theres an iPhone APP for that.

The SlimDoggy App is a simple App with a Daily Diary that allows you to look up and track all of this information for your dog. Like a Runkeeper and Weightwatchers for dogs, the App provides average daily calorie expenditures for a dog as well as calories burned through various types of exercise. It also has a database of over 2,500 dog foods and treats.

The Diary feature allows you to create a diary for your dog and calculate exactly how much they should be eating based on their daily exercise. The food database helps you pick the healthiest diet and the proper amount of food to feed them each day.

Dont have an iPhone? No problem, visit the SlimDoggy website and use the Calorie Widget. Soon we will have a full version of the App available on the website too! There are no excuses now.

Lets have healthy labs!

We all love our Labs and we want them to be in our lives for as long as possible and we want them as healthy as possible. Dogs dont have opposable thumbs, they cant feed themselves, and it is our responsibility to feed them a healthy nutritious diet of the proper proportions so that they are lean, fit and healthy. And then instead of giving them a treat, take them for a walk that is the best way to show your Lab you love them.

Kate OBrien and her husband, Steve, live in Camarillo, CA, with their dogs SlimDoggy Jack and Maggie May, senior Lab rescues. They are animal advocates and are active in the dog rescue and foster community. They write about their adventures with their dogs and about pet obesity, health, and fitness on theSlim Doggy website,Facebook, and Twitter.

Kate has had dogs in her life since she was a child, including the collies her grandfather used to breed and show. Allergies interfered, but then in adulthood Kate was able to bring dogs back into her life. Shes had numerous Labs, a couple of litters of puppies and many Lab fosters. Shes been able to share her love of exercise and fitness with her dogs and they inspire her to help other learn about better health, nutrition & fitness for their dogs.

FURTHER RESOURCES:

FOOTNOTES

¹ PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report The State of Our Pet Nation, 2013

² Association for Prevention of Pet Obesity Annual Survey Report 2012

³ Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs, Kealey, Richard et.al., JAVMA Vol 220, No. 990, May 1, 2012

⁴ PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report The State of Our Pet Nation, 2013

More information on Labradors

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Labrador Shedding: Tips for Managing Your Dogs Fur

Looking to get a Labrador? As a potential owner, you may have questions about how to care for them, including their shedding. Labrador shedding and grooming their beautiful coats are important factors to consider. Handling Labradorsdog hairand the question of whether Labradors shed might be among your top concerns.

Labradors shed a lot of hair throughout the year. However, there are ways to manage this shedding. Regular grooming and brushing are vital tips to remove loose hair and keep your Labs coat healthy. Additionally, a healthy diet and regular exercise can also contribute to a healthy coat and reduce shedding.

This heavy shedding is typical of breeds with a double coat, like the Labrador Retriever, even though they are short-haired. In the doggy world, its known as blowing the coat.

To fully understand the best methods of controlling your Labs shedding, youll need to understand why hes shedding so much in the first place. Knowing what to expect, youll be better prepared to deal with shedding when it occurs.

In this post, youll learn:

• Why Labradors shed
• Recognizing abnormal shedding
• When shedding season starts and ends and what to expect
• Shedding solutions, including reducing and controlling shedding

Why Do Labradors Shed So Much?

Youd be surprised how much some short-haired dogs actually shed! You will find clumps of fur in places you never imagined, from your kitchen drawers to the insides of your jacket pockets! It gets everywhere!

To further understand why Labradors shed so much, we need to look at the type of coat he has.

Labradors have a unique double coat that sheds throughout the year, but shedding can increase during seasonal changes. In the spring, they shed their winter coat to prepare for summer, while in the fall, they grow thicker coats to keep warm in the winter.

Double-coated breeds have two layers of fur. When looking at dog coat genetics, each hair follicle will have 1-2 topcoat (guard) hairs and several undercoat hairs. Puppies are born with a single coat but will start to develop their adult coat from 3 months of age, lasting until they are around one year old.

Wolves, the closest living ancestor to the domestic dog, also have a double coat, which is presumed to be the ancestral trait.

However, the undercoat is absent in single-coated breeds, caused by a gene mutation, and thus they shed less because the undercoat is more prone to molting with the change of season.

If we look back at the history of the Labrador, they needed their thick, wooly undercoat to protect them from the cold when swimming and to retrieve in icy waters.

Their guard coat provided them with an extra waterproof layer. Labradors still make excellent outside working dogs because they can withstand a wide range of weather conditions.

Watch our YouTube video all about Labrador shedding

Which Color Labs Shed The Most?

You may have heard that the yellow Lab sheds the most, the black Lab sheds the least, or the chocolate Lab sheds more than the black lab. So, which is true, and which color of Lab sheds the most?

All colors of Labrador shed the same, whether chocolate, black, or yellow. Coat color has no impact on the amount of shedding or grooming required. Its a complete myth that one particular color will shed more or less than another. All Labs have the same characteristics, no matter their coat color.

I think the confusion may have come from some owners believing yellow Labs shed more due to having dark-colored carpets, whereby the yellow fur would obviously be more noticeable! And vice-versa, dark-colored fur will undoubtedly appear more on light-colored carpets and flooring.

There is also no difference in shedding in the rarer long-haired Labradors, who molt equally the same.

If you are truly looking for a Labrador that sheds less, consider a Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle mix). The Poodle is a low-shedding breed; therefore, your cross wont shed as much as a purebred Lab.

Shedding Season

You might not know that the shedding habits of the Labrador follow a schedule, in a sense. There are certain months when Labs shed the most in addition to their normal year-round shedding. So, when exactly is the Labrador shedding season?

Labrador shedding season occurs twice a year, specifically in the spring and fall. This is when your dog will change or blow his coat, which takes 2-3 weeks, sometimes longer. Therefore, the Lab shedding season occurs during September, October, or November, and March, April, and May.

Your Labrador changes his coatwhen the seasons change, allowing him to adjust to the new climate. He will shed his old winter undercoat as the weather warms, making room for a lighter summer coat.

When the weather worsens, he will shed his lighter undercoat and acquire a thick, warm coat in preparation for the winter. This allows him to be comfortable during the entire year.

For about two to three weeks each time, his thick undercoat will begin coming out in clumps. You wont fail to notice it flying everywhere! The shedding will be quite intense during this time while your dog molts all of his dead undercoat.

Watch This Cool Time-Lapse Video of a Labrador Being De-shedded

Year-Round Shedding

Although the period in which your Labrador blows his coat will be the worst when it comes to shedding, he will continue to shed regularly all year round. This is completely natural and all part of the normal growth cycle and molting in your dogs hair.

As mentioned previously, unraveling the problem, this year-round shedding is the same for all Labradors, no matter their color.

Why is My Lab Shedding So Much All of a Sudden? Abnormal Shedding

Now that you understand your Labradors typical shedding schedule, you must also know that not all shedding is normal. Some dog hair loss patterns indicate health problems that a veterinarian should treat. If your Lab suddenly starts to shed unnaturally, youll need to find out why.

Labradors may shed suddenly (outside their typical pattern) for health reasons. Causes include a poor diet, dehydration, allergies, parasites, stress, and anxiety. Less common reasons are hypothyroidism, Cushings disease, underdeveloped hair follicles, pregnancy, or a medication reaction.

Experts can distinguish between normal shedding and fur loss caused by health, nutritional, and environmental factors. The following signs and symptoms can identify abnormal shedding:

• Dry or brittle hair
• Irritation, open sores, blisters
• Bald patches
• Dislike of petting

So, whats the deal with these anomalies? Lets look in more detail at the factors that can causeatypical fur loss in dogs:

• Poor diet.A healthy, balanced diet provides a steady supply of essential nutrients. Your Labradors hair needs these nutrients to stay securely in the hair follicles. As such, a poor diet with deficient nutrients will cause hair loss.
• Dehydration. When your dog is dehydrated, blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, including the skin, are compromised. The decrease in skin suppleness causes the fur to fall out effortlessly.
• Parasites, ticks, lice, and fleas.All of these itch your dogs skin, and as a result, he will bite or scratch. This causes the pets fur to fall out, and the chewed skin can become infected.
• Underdeveloped hair follicles.This can be congenital, although it isnt always hereditary. Hair follicles do not develop properly, resulting in patchy or total hair loss.
• Cushings disease.A benign tumor causes this in the pituitary, which causes excessive production of the stress hormone cortisol, causing hair loss in dogs.100,000 dogs are diagnosed with Cushings disease each year, with dogs older than six years at greater risk.
• Hypothyroidism.Symptoms ofhypothyroidisminclude increased shedding, hair loss, and thinning. However, its not a prevalent disorder in dogs, and Labradors are not among the three most prone breeds.
• Skin trauma.Abnormal shedding can be caused by skin trauma such as bacterial and fungal infections, food and other allergies, some pet drugs such as steroids, inflammatory disease, and burns. Temporary hair loss can also occur during pregnancy, nursing, or recovering from an illness.
• Stress and anxiety. Behavioral problems that cause stress and anxiety, such as separation anxiety or OCD, can drive your Labrador to chew his hair and skin, leaving patches. Acral lick dermatitis is the name of this ailment. Parasites and other allergic conditions can also cause it.

Whatever the cause of your dogs unnatural shedding, prevention and solutions are similar to controlling normal heavy shedding, whether year-round or seasonal.

Shedding Solutions

Owning a Labrador is a gratifying experience. But, it does come with its downside. No matter what time of year it is, your dog wont stop shedding! There is no solution to stop shedding completely, but you can certainly do things to reduce and control it.

Learn More About Shedding Solutions In This YouTube Video

How to Reduce Shedding in Your Labrador

Reducing your Labradors shedding can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can make a big difference.

Start by brushing your Lab regularly with a quality de-shedding tool, focusing on the undercoat where most of the hair comes from. Additionally, consider adding supplements like omega-3 fatty acids to your dogs diet, which can improve the health of their skin and coat.

Another helpful tip is to bathe your dog 3-4 times a year with a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water to help remove loose hair and debris.

Finally, invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner designed to handle pet hair, and use it frequently to keep your home free of excess fur. Vacuuming helps better manage the situation, and you dont have to invest in new products due to temperature shifts.

Its best to attack your Labradors shedding from all angles. Thats why Ive compiled a list of seven easy-to-implement strategies for reducing and controlling your Labradors shedding. So, here are my more in-depth solutions

The best way to groom your Labrador is with a de-shedding tool designedespecially for a double coat.

These tools cater to your Labs dense undercoat and dig out any loose hairs that might otherwise be spread all over your home! They are ideal when your dog is blowing his coat. Youll need to use this tool twice per week during this time.

I use theFURminator undercoat de-shedding toolfrom Amazon. It really does an excellent job by removing all the dead and loose hair as itreaches through your dogs guard coat without damaging it or cutting his skin. Ive tried other de-shedding tools over the years, but Ive never found one as good as the FURminator.

Note: Clicking the above link(s) will take you to Amazon or an online store where we have an affiliate relationship. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

2. Get a Shedding Brush

Just like most dogs, your Labrador will shed all year round. You cant stop it entirely, but brushing regularly with a slicker brush will keep his hair from always finding its way onto your furniture and flooring.

It doesnt take all that much effort to brush him daily, either! Depending on your doggo, 2-3 times per week may be sufficient. There are many good slicker brushes that you can get for your Labradors topcoat that will remove pet dander and keep him looking smart.

I like theHertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brushfrom Amazon. Its also great for removing tangled hair and is super simple to use. Its easy to clean, too, as it has a button that you click, which removes all the fur from the brush (like the FURminator).

All you need to do is brush your Labradors entire coat a few times, and the amount of hair he sheds will be drastically reduced compared to if you only groomed him once a week.

3. Groom and Bathe Your Dog 3-4 Times a Year

So, as I previously stated, your Labrador will change his coat twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Though you wont be able to prevent the hair clumps from eventually falling out, bathing and brushing him during these times will assist in getting rid of more of it at once.

Instead of letting his undercoat fall out naturally over the course of this period, you can loosen any leftover fur and remove it at bathing time.

Never over-bathe, as this strips your Labradors natural oils, causing dry skin and further shedding. Regularvacuuming, along with high-quality nutrition, can aid in furmanagement.

There are also special de-shedding dog shampoos to loosen the undercoat during the bath. You can even find ones enhanced with Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, such as theFURminator deShedding Ultra Premium Dog Shampoofrom Amazon, which helps reduce shedding. Ill cover the benefits of these at number 7 below.

4. Switch to Food That Targets The Coat and Skin

You may have alreadygiven some thought to the food you feed your Labrador, but did you realize that the type of food you feed him has a significant impact on his shedding habits?

Inexpensive dog food is largely made of ingredients that some dogs have difficulty digesting, such as corn and grain, not to mention added preservatives and chemicals. Instead, choose dog food with a high-quality protein source as the primary ingredient. A protein deficiency results in a dull and unkempt coat.

If your Labrador is not receiving proper nutrition, the protein hes receiving will maintain muscle mass, leaving the coat to suffer. I have a giant guide on thebest diet for Labradorsif you are looking for more information on canine nutrition, the various types of diet for your dog, and exactly what he can and cant eat.

Alternatively, if youre a home feeder and are looking for some recipes, head over to this post,5 Top Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Shedding.

Sure, it costs more, but it will help your Labrador by reducing his daily shedding and maintaining a long and healthy life. By selecting food that targets the nutritional needs of your Labrador, hell maintain a nice healthy coat, and you can greatly reduce the amount of year-round shedding.

5. Keep You Dog Hydrated

You might not even realize it, but allowing your Labrador to drinkmore waterdaily can reduce the amount of shedding! Thats because dogs will shed more when theyre dehydrated.

You can improve your dogs overall health and reduce the amount of hair that ends up all over your house by giving him about one ounce of water for every pound of body weight.

Consider getting a dog water fountain, such as thePetsafe Drinkwellfrom Amazon, that encourages your dog to drink and saves you from constantly changing his water. I particularly like this one as it has two tiers and includes carbon filters to remove bad taste and odors from the water.

Pro Tip!In the summer, you can give your Labrador ice cubes to keep him hydrated. You can also treat your doggo to frozen fruits such asraspberriesto help quench his thirst. These make a healthy alternative to commercial treats.

6. Stay Up-to-Date With Flea Treatment

Flea treatments will not prevent your Labrador from shedding, but they will stop him from scratching and nibbling at himself excessively if he gets a tick or flea!

The more your dog tirelessly scratches to release himself from the discomfort of fleas or ticks, the more fur he pulls out.No ticks and fleas mean less scratching and less shedding.

Read More: Why Does My Labrador Itch So Much? Solve Scratching for Good!

Remember to stay up-to-date with your Labradors flea treatment. My dog receives this treatment every three months, along with her deworming treatment.

7. Include Omega Fatty Acids in Your Labs Diet

I already described how you could reduce your Labradors shedding by changing his diet. You can still incorporate Omega fatty acids into your daily schedule to reduce the volume of year-round shedding.

You can do this by choosing specific foods with Omega-3 fatty acids. You can also achieve it by providing your Labrador with a daily supplement that contains these nutrients. Check out Zesty Paws Omega 3 Alaskan Fish Oil Treats from Amazon. They come in bacon or chicken flavors and get thousands of positive reviews.

If your dog food doesnt contain adequate oils, another alternative is to add a little olive oil to his food. Olive oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that support the skin and coat. Check with your vet first to determine how much to give your dog.

My dogs cold-pressed dog food already contains fish oils and vegetable oil (rapeseed), which keeps her skin and coat in tip-top condition, so I dont need to bother about this.

Pro Tip!Sometimes, I add a little tinned tuna or mackerel in oil to my dogs food. I know she wont be far away whenever we have salmon for dinner!

Including Omega fatty acids in your dogs diet will mean far less shedding in the long term, and your Labrador will be healthier simultaneously!

Does Shaving a Lab Help With Shedding?

Now that you know how to control and reduce your Labradors shedding, you may wonder one last thing, especially if youve seen dogs with all sorts of hairstyles! Does shaving a Lab help with shedding?

Shaving your Labrador will not help with shedding. Never shave a dog with a double coat as it will cause irritation, expose him to bacteria and infection, and damage the regrowth. Shaving also interferes with your dogs natural temperature regulation and exposes him to extreme cold and heat.

The fur in Labrador coats is not the same as human hair; it has a distinct function, and the fur follicles do not regenerate properly. Unless there are valid health reasons, you should not shave your Labradors hair.

Lets Wrap This Up!

Here are the key takeaways from the article. In Labrador Retrievers:

• Heavy shedding is a normal daily event.
• They will also shed more in the spring and fall when molting their undercoat.
• Abnormal shedding can be caused by a poor diet, dehydration, some health conditions, fleas, and parasites.
• Shaving your dogs fur will not reduce shedding.

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