How do I know if my dog is obese and what can I do to help him lose weight?
You (hopefully) don’t feed him chips and beer, he goes for walks every day, and he eats way less than you. By that formula, your dog should be in fairly decent shape. But is he? The nutritional and activity needs of dogs are far different from humans’, so that 20-minute walk each day probably won’t do much for a medium-sized or larger dog. You measure the food you put in his bowl, but is the food constantly available to him? Do you give him bits and pieces of your own food? Does he counter surf or break into trash cans? Any and all of those food sources need to be taken into consideration. Much like their owners, more and more dogs worldwide are showing signs of obesity. Besides limiting their enjoyment of life as a dog, extra body weight can lead to joint and heart problems, shorter lives, and sometimes-behavioral issues.

While some breeds are more prone to obesity than others, every dog can be at risk if fed incorrectly or not exercised often enough. The easiest way to tell whether or not your dog is obese is to examine his body. Try the following:
• Have him stand up, then stand above him. Does his body slope inward at the waist?
• Run your hands over his sides from front to back legs. Can you feel his ribs fairly easily?
• Feel the base of his tail. Are the bones easily detectable?
• Look at him from the side. Does his tummy slope upward as it gets closer to his tail?
If you answered no to any of the questions, your pup is probably overweight. If you answered “What waist/ribs/tail bones?” and “Upward? Really?,” your pup is probably obese.

The methods for treating obesity in dogs are fairly similar to those for treating obesity in their owners, and the principle is simple: eat less, exercise more. And, just like in humans, actually following through with the principle is much more difficult than it sounds. If your dog has a constant supply of food, remove it. Many pet stores stock food scoops with measuring lines included and most food labels have charts indicating dogs’ food needs by weight. Try feeding your dog at the lower end of the range for a week, then add a bit more if he seems too lethargic. Create a feeding schedule and stick to it. Whether you split the amount among two or three separate feedings or one larger meal each day, stay with the routine and he’ll adjust to it.

Be forewarned, though. Dogs are survival eaters and don’t react well when their food supply is threatened. Your angelic, perfectly behaved pooch who has never shown signs of scavenging may suddenly become a trash can Houdini in attempts to augment his smaller food allowances. Some start counter surfing. Not familiar with the term? You’ll understand the terminology the first time you see your beloved Baxter with his front paws on the edge of the counter, nose to the surface, and back paws propelling him down the length of the Formica, inhaling anything that crosses his path. While the trash can raids are more difficult to prevent, counter surfing prevention is elementary: put your food away. Many behavior and training manuals will instruct you to blast a water gun or air horn every time he jumps up on the counter to surprise him and get him away from the food, but the pull of his survival instinct will always be stronger than learned behavior and the next time you leave the room with food on the counter he’ll be quite the happy pooch. Instead, train yourself. Don’t leave anything within reach. If you’re preparing a large meal, invest in a baby gate and let Baxter sniff pathetically from another room.

Securing trash cans involves a completely separate arsenal. Depending upon his levels of hunger and intelligence, the right combination of can and lid may keep him out. Baby locks may be in order for more experienced raiders, while career Houdinis may require high-end stainless steel trash cans with laser security systems. Just kidding! (About the lasers, that is, not the trash cans.) If you can secure your trash can in a closet or pantry, do so. Otherwise, be prepared to take a hit to the wallet or spend 15 minutes scooping up ice cream wrappers and greasy fried chicken boxes every time you come home.

Try giving your buddy some raw fruit or veggies to help him work through the initial pangs. Carrots, broccoli, apples, and even pickles have fun crunchy textures, and in small quantities they help complement the nutrients he gets from his usual food. These healthier snacks can contribute to one of the nastier “benefits” of weight loss, though: gas. When that overwhelmingly pungent odor permeates your whole house, remember that you’re doing this for your best friend’s health and fitness and that a few months of gross odors is nothing compared to his wellness.

When it comes to exercise, most owners need more motivation to get themselves outside for a workout than do their dogs. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to get a dog exercising – get the leash and head out for a walk! Plan to spend at least an hour total every day walking, then gradually increase the speed until your dog is speed-walking or jogging. Yes, it’s time consuming. Yes, you’re busy. If you have kids, drag them away from the TV and go for a family walk after dinner. If you work out yourself, figure out a way to incorporate the dog’s walk into your own routine. With the right amount of caution, you can even have your dog tow you on your bike, skateboard, rollerblades, or skis.

On the weekends, head to the park and play with a tennis ball, Frisbee, or other dogs. A nice side benefit of exercise is that it wins you some quiet time while your dog naps the day away in contentment. Quit making excuses! Think of it this way: would you rather see your dog running, tongue out, tail wagging for the next ten years, or would you rather he simply laid around the house for five? How many people get to have a to-do list that includes “Play with dog?”

The right diet and exercise can make your dog more social, more obedient, and more dedicated to you due to the extra time you spend together and the extra attention he receives from you every day. Wasn’t that the whole reason you decided to adopt a dog in the first place?