Is my lab puppy overweight
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
(paid link)You can find out more about how to keep your Labrador as fit and healthy as possible in the Health section of our website.
(paid link)If youd like all of The Labrador Sites best information together in one place, then get your copy of The Labrador Handbook today.
The Labrador Handbook looks at all aspects owning a Labrador, through daily care, to health and training at each stage of their life.
The Labrador Handbook is available(paid link) worldwide.
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She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
My Puppy Is Overweight: 5 Vet-Approved Tips on What to Do
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreIf you have an overweight puppy, we recommend consulting your veterinarian before implementing any suggestions in this post, as it may be related to diet or health, and making sudden changes to your puppys diet may bring on medical issues. That said, do you have an overweight puppy and wonder what you can do about the problem? It may seem cute to see a hefty fluff ball running around, but a puppys weight must be at a healthy number to avoid any strain on their developing body.
The 5 Tips on What to Do to Help a Puppy with Overweight
1. Feed Age-Appropriate Food
A puppys diet requirements will be different from an adults, so ensure you feed healthy, complete, and balanced puppy food approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If the food is approved by AAFCO, your puppy will receive all vital nutrients needed for proper growth and health.
The food should also be size-appropriate; for example, if you have a large breed, like a Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever, ensure the puppy food is for large breeds. If you have a small breed, like a Chihuahua, ensure the puppy food is for small breeds.
2. Do Not Overfeed
All canine foods will have the required or suggested feeding amounts for the puppys age and weight. Keep in mind this is just a guide and some dogs might need more or less, and if ever in doubt, its important to work with your vet to ensure youre feeding the appropriate amounts to avoid weight gain.
Ideally, puppies between 2 and 6 months old should be fed three meals daily, depending on the breed and size. However, your vet can help you determine how much and how often to feed your puppy.
3. Exercise Your Puppy With Caution
Puppies need exercise to avoid weight gain and to develop cognitive skills, but its imperative not to over-exercise your puppy. A general guideline is to exercise your puppy 10 minutes per day for every month of their age. For example, exercise your puppy for 10 minutes at 1 month of age, 20 minutes per day at 2 months, and so on.
Exercising your puppy too much too fast can result in improper development of the joints. Puppies using stairs or exercising off leash before 3 months of age have an increased risk of hip dysplasia, but keep in mind that this is a multifactorial disease, with genetics and nutrition playing a part.
As your puppy grows, their stamina will increase; however, its best to avoid long periods of exercise at once. When your puppy reaches 3 months, they can exercise for 30 minutes per day, but keep the sessions short each time, and avoid running or hiking with your puppy until they are fully grown.
4. Limit Treats
Limiting treats is an excellent way to prevent your puppy from becoming overweight. Remember that youre feeding your puppy a complete and balanced puppy food, and treats should not be given in excess. Also, ensure the treats are appropriate for puppies and are healthy without added fillers of artificial preservatives and coloring.
Of course, treats come in handy while youre training your puppy, but dont overdo it. As a rule of thumb, treats should only account for 10% of your dogs diet. It may be difficult to determine how to calculate this, and the nutritional info on treat bags usually differs from dog food. Its best to consult your vet to determine how many daily treats your puppy can have if youre unsure. You can also look for healthy, low-calorie treats and use play rewards when training instead of treats.
5. Avoid Free-Feeding
Its best to get your puppy acclimated to a feeding schedule. Free-feeding a puppy is not considered horrible; however, free-feeding your dog as an adult can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can then increase the risk of health issues, such as joint problems, diabetes, and even cancer.
A puppys food should ideally be split into two to three meals per day. Getting your puppy on a feeding schedule will aid in proper, healthy digestion, and it teaches your puppy routine.
How to Tell if Your Puppy Is Overweight
One way to tell if your puppy is overweight is to feel the ribs. You should be able to feel each rib without excessive fat. In other words, you should be able to count each one. If you have a hard time feeling the ribs and you really have to press to feel them, its likely your puppy is getting heavy.
When looking at your puppy from above, you should see that the flank is indented (the area between the ribs and pelvis). The chest should also be wider than the flank. If your puppy has a lot of fur, smooth down the hair and feel for a waist.
Conclusion
Its imperative that you work with your veterinarian as a puppy parent to ensure your puppy stays on the right track to a healthy life as an adult. Reading nutritional labels on dog food can be confusing. However, utilize your vet to learn the appropriate portion sizes and the best puppy food to feed. Not all weight gain is from excessive eating or lack of exercise; your puppy may have a predisposed medical condition causing the weight gain (although this is very rare).
Limit exercise according to your puppys age and be careful not to overfeed treats. Its also best to acclimate your puppy to a feeding schedule rather than free-feed.
Featured Image Credit: AnikaNes, Shutterstock
