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"It's easier said than done." This is the feeling you
may experience if you are facing the challenge of slimming
your dog down to normal body condition. Ignoring soulful
eyes and beguiling ways as a dog coaxes for treats,
table food or extra food in its bowl can be a formidable
task. Don't give up. An overweight dog may be susceptible
to many health problems.
Equally important is protecting your dog's health as
you manage its weight. Choosing a weight management
diet with at least 25 percent protein helps provide
this protection.
Such a diet is formulated to help maintain lean body
mass and provide protein reserves to support a dog's
immune system.
Lean body mass describes the muscle component of a
dog's body. It accounts for about 95 percent of a dog's
metabolic rate, the measure of how a body "burns" energy.
Lean body mass "burns" more calories than body fat does.
If lean body mass is lost, a dog has less energy to
expend and "burns" fewer calories from the accumulation
of body fat. A weight management diet for a dog with
at least 25 percent gives a dog the protein required
to build or replace muscle and tissue.
Because protein is constantly being broken down in
a dog's body, new protein is produced in a process known
as protein turnover. This process provides the protein
reserves that support a dog's immune system during times
of injury or infection. If protein levels in a dog's
diet are less than 25 percent, the rate of protein turnover
is reduced and a dog's immune system can be weakened.
The importance of protein in a dog's diet is underscored
when we consider that in a dog's body, over half the
dry matter is protein. It is required for the growth
and maintenance of almost all tissues of the body, including
bone and muscle. Consequently, keeping protein at an
adequate level is essential for a dog's good health.
If you choose a weight reduction diet for your dog,
please remember that these diets are formulated for
normal, healthy adult dogs who tend to be overweight.
They are not appropriate for puppies or for pregnant
or nursing females.
How should you determine if your dog should be on
a weight management diet? A simple "rib check" usually
answers the question. Use both hands (with thumbs on
the backbone) and run your fingers over your dog's rib
cage. If you cannot easily feel the outline of each
rib, your dog is overweight. If you have questions about
your dog's body condition or how to manage its weight,
consult your veterinarian.
A final thought
As in human nutrition, the healthiest way for a dog
to shed extra weight is to follow a sound dietary and
exercise program designed to reduce body weight gradually
under medical supervision.
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Reprinted with permission by Ralston Purina Canada
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