In a world where pet obesity is increasingly prevalent, ensuring our furry friends maintain a healthy weight is crucial for their overall well-being. Today, we embark on an inspiring journey – one of transformation, perseverance, and the pursuit of optimal health for our beloved canine companions.
Please keep in mind that what worked for us may not be ideal for you and your dog. It’s important to engage a professional when needed, and not expect overnight success. Just like with humans, dog weight loss is more sustainable when it is done with small lifestyle changes over time.
Understanding Canine Obesity
Firstly, it’s essential to define what constitutes a healthy weight for dogs. Dogs, much like humans, can face health issues when carrying excess weight. Joint problems, heart conditions, and a reduced quality of life are just some of the challenges overweight dogs may encounter.
Identifying signs of overweight dogs is crucial. Increased lethargy, difficulty in movement, and the inability to feel ribs easily can indicate that a dog might be carrying extra pounds.
Body Condition Score
According to a study completed by Cambridge University, In developed countries, 34-59% of dogs are overweight. That’s over 1/3rd of dogs!
Luckily, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has some great resources to help you determine your dog’s body score. See this link for their Body Condition Score chart that will help explain, with pictures(!), how you can determine your dog’s current Body Condition Score at home.
Determining your dog’s current Body Condition Score is important as it will help you understand where you currently are and where you ideally need to get to. Using weight alone to measure a dog’s body condition is dangerous as there is too much variation between breeds and even within breeds.
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention also has some great resources to help with weight loss, so please take the time to check out their website in addition to consulting your vet.
The Journey Begins: Recognizing the Need for Change
When Sienna first came to us in November 2020 she was a healthy weight. She went through some major life events (I have previously documented her journey with her Femoral Head Ostectomy surgery as well as her journey with PTSD) and quickly packed on the pounds. There were several contributing factors:
- Her medical and psychological issues: Sienna was recovering from a major surgery and also recovering from PTSD, as well as getting used to a new home and country
- Her personality: she’s a pretty low-energy pup unless there is food involved!
- Her breed: Sienna is a lab mix. It is estimated that 1 in 4 Labradors have a gene variation that makes them more prone to weight gain and obesity. Even without that gene variation, they tend to be very food-driven dogs
- Us, her guardians: This is probably the biggest reason. Neither myself nor my husband had owned a dog that was as food-crazed before, and it took us some time to figure out how much food she needed and to train ourselves not to leave food available to her
People who live with Labradors often say they are obsessed by food, and that would fit with what we know about this genetic change
Eleanor Raffan
Sienna’s journey is not unique; many dogs face similar hurdles due to excess weight. However, recognizing the need for change was the pivotal moment in Sienna’s story.
As Sienna was going through surgery recovery we were seeing several professionals: her vet, a chiropractor, swim therapists and a dog trainer. We had noticed that Sienna was gaining a little weight, but we didn’t realize how much until one day at swim therapy we noticed that the life jacket she always wore was stretched to the max; if she gained any more weight it would no longer fit. Our professionals were also open and honest with us and pointed out her weight gain, as well as the dangers of it.
Planning the Transformation
Seeking guidance from a veterinarian or other nutrition professional is a crucial initial step. Veterinarians play a vital role in assessing a dog’s health and formulating a tailored plan for weight loss. For Sienna, this involved setting realistic goals for shedding the extra pounds.
A balanced diet and exercise plan were the cornerstone of Sienna’s transformation. Portion control, switching to a healthier diet, and incorporating a suitable exercise routine were key elements in Sienna’s journey.
The Transformation Process
Tracking progress was an essential part of Sienna’s journey. Regular weigh-ins and observing changes in energy levels and mobility were vital markers of success. Gradually, with dedication to the plan, Sienna started shedding pounds, becoming more active and lively.
We started small, looking at what Sienna was eating. We had been feeding her a mix of kibble and wet food, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This turned out to be too much food for Sienna’s sedentary lifestyle!
We also needed to take better account of the treats Sienna was getting each day. I was doing a fair bit of training with her to help her with her surgery recovery and PTSD, and since Sienna didn’t have an interest in toys, this all involved food. At the time, we weren’t taking this into consideration with her daily meals.
Daily Food Allotment
Making sure that we took everything Sienna would eat day to day into consideration was key to her success. We were much more careful about portioning each meal and also her daily treats. If she got more than intended one day, we would make sure that we balanced that out with slightly less the next day.
For some guardians, that may mean measuring out your dog’s daily food and setting it aside. Some people with smaller dogs even cut their dog’s kibble in half so that it will seem like more to their dog and they will have more to use for training.
For us, it meant using kibble as a training reward sometimes but also baking our own treats. Reading through the prepackaged treats, it was shocking to discover how many contained unhealthy ingredients and unnecessary sugar. See Navigating the World of Dog Treats: The Importance of Reading Labels for more information on reading treat labels.
I started baking pyramid pan treats, which would make 500-2000 treats in a batch (depending on the size of the batch) and the best part was that the treats were healthy and tiny. I could give her tons of rewards without having to worry too much about the calories.
These are some of our favourite recipes:
- Pyramid Pan Beet Turkey Dog Treats
- Homemade Liver Training Treats: Elevate Your Dog’s Training Experience
- Simple and Quick: Easy Homemade Pyramid Pan Pumpkin Dog Training Treats Recipe
- Festive Turkey Cranberry Dog Training Treats Recipe
Overcoming Obstacles
Of course, the journey was not without its challenges. Plateaus and setbacks tested Sienna’s determination. However, with perseverance and support, Sienna pushed through, highlighting the importance of consistency in the weight loss journey.
Our main barrier was Sienna’s food drive and reluctance to physical activity. When we tried to go for walks, unless it was in a quiet park or forest, Sienna would plant herself once we got a few houses away and refuse to move unless it was back towards our house. Having spent much of her life outdoors in Mexico, all she wanted was to be inside.
Our trainer was able to help show us some simple exercises that Sienna could do indoors to help add more physical activity. Simple things like tossing food back and forth down the hallway as she chased it were very helpful. We also worked on strengthening exercises like putting her front or back paws on an elevated surface, and pivots, and balance boards. Over time Sienna’s strength and stamina has significantly improved with these small changes.
Achieving Success: The Healthy Body Transformation
Celebrating milestones is essential. For Sienna, reaching a healthier weight brought about positive changes in behaviour, increased vitality, and a happier disposition. It was a testament to the rewards of dedication and effort.
It may sound funny, but we had a little celebration when Sienna could reach her own back end to scratch herself! That was a huge marker for us that what we were doing was working.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
The journey doesn’t end here. It’s imperative to continue with the positive changes. Consistency in diet, exercise, and regular check-ups with the veterinarian ensures that Sienna maintains this newfound healthy lifestyle.
For the last year, Sienna’s weight has been mostly stable. We continue to monitor her closely, but with a food-driven dog, it’s incredibly easy to start over-rewarding or letting her have a few too many treats. Because we continue to measure her Body Condition Score regularly, we are alerted to any issues promptly and able to correct them quickly.
We also started giving Sienna a gently homecooked diet, supplemented with a bit of kibble occasionally. That way we know exactly what is going into her food and can tailor her diet to her needs.
It is fantastic to hear all of the comments from everyone about how great Sienna looks now. She is much more confident, happier and energetic since her weight loss.
Conclusion
Sienna’s journey from being heavy to healthy is a tale of resilience, commitment, and the unwavering support of those who care for him. It’s a reminder that with the right plan, dedication, and love, any dog can achieve a healthier body and a better quality of life.
Remember, your furry friend’s journey to optimal health begins with small steps – consult your veterinarian, devise a tailored plan, and embark on the transformation together. Here’s to the health and happiness of our canine companions!
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