Once dog parents have admitted that their dog is overweight, it is time to establish a weight-loss plan that is practical and easy for all family members to follow. The first step should involve working with a veterinarian to thoroughly examine the dog to determine if any clinical conditions need to be addressed. 

The initial evaluation should include a body condition score (BCS), which assesses the amount of body fat, similar to the Body Mass score for humans. A muscle condition score (MCS) that evaluates the dog’s musculature to monitor muscle wasting should be performed during the weight management program. Bloodwork will also be included in the initial exam to determine if any underlying conditions need to be treated.

What Parameters are Used to Determine Obesity in Dogs

Body weight is the most straightforward measurement, but it is not the only one used to determine the extent of obesity. The body and muscle condition scores are regularly charted during a weight-loss program. The three parameters commonly used are body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS). 

A dog’s body weight should be charted at every veterinary appointment and can be taken at home to monitor the dog’s weight more often. Trends, such as a decrease or increase in weight during specific seasons or at times of stress, can be noted and brought to the attention of the dog’s veterinarian.

BCS is a physical assessment of body fat mass and correlates with the dog's body fat percentage (%BF). The BCS allows for the unique physical attributes of each breed, as the body structures vary greatly. The BCS is either a 5 or 9-point scale associated with the amount of fat on the dog's body, surrounding the ribs, the waist, the base of the tail, and the abdomen. 

On the 9-point scale, the ideal BCS is 4-5, with each level associated with a 10%-15% increase or decrease in %BF. A dog is considered overweight at a score of 6-7 and obese when its BCS is 8 and higher. Similarly, on the 5-point scale, the ideal score is 3, with overweight dogs scoring 4 and obese dogs at 5. 

The 9-point scale is recommended for use in a weight-loss program. The scale is more in tune with the standardization of medical records and interpretation based on the BCS research. The 9-point scale also provides uniformity of data collection and is better for consistent communication between the veterinary team members and the dog parents.

Learning to determine a dog’s BCS takes some practice. It is best to use several different dogs when learning this skill. 

MCS is the physical assessment of a dog’s muscle mass. It includes visualization and palpation of the muscles surrounding the spine, scapulae, skull, and pelvis. The MCS is a little more difficult to determine than the BCS, so a knowledgeable professional should perform it. The score indicates normal muscle mass or mild, moderate, or severe muscle loss.

The routine use of MCS is vital to identify patients with muscle loss related to the disease (cachexia) and muscle loss not associated with the disease (sarcopenia). Both types of muscle loss are significant to the health of the dog.

The BCS and MCS should be assessed separately, as they do not necessarily correlate. An underweight dog may have a low BCS, but the MCS may be normal, especially for very active dogs. Conversely, a dog with a normal BCS may have a low MCS due to inactivity or a disease condition. 

Dog parents should create a specific feeding plan for their dog, including the type of diet, the feeding schedule, and methods for increasing the dog’s activity level. Starting with the dog’s current weight and then determining its ideal weight will dictate how many pounds need to be eliminated. 

A comprehensive list of all foods that the dog eats must be compiled. The list must include all the treats given throughout the day and the total amount of food fed at each meal. Asking the dog parent open-ended questions will encourage the dog parent to include those evening snacks and extra table scraps their dog may be getting.

Many veterinarians will recommend the use of a weight-loss prescription diet. However, examining the list of ingredients and the guaranteed analysis reveals that the diets are very similar to the high-carbohydrate diets the dog has been consuming. One of the leading causes of canine obesity is the consumption of too many carbohydrates, the macronutrients that dogs do not require!

Commercial diets marketed for weight loss have the same fault: high in carbohydrates. The caloric density varies significantly from brand to brand, often confusing for the dog parent who feeds based on volume, the same scoop they have used for their dog's lifetime. 

Transitioning to a species-appropriate diet  has many benefits for the overweight dog. The dog parent knows the exact components of the diet and has total control of the ingredients. A raw or fresh food diet will consist of muscle meat for protein, raw meaty bones for calcium, phosphorus, and other vital nutrients, secreting organs, seafood, and fiber. Minimal carbohydrates and no fillers are in the diet. 

A weight loss program aims to lose body fat while preserving muscle mass. When reducing a dog’s portion sizes for weight loss, ensuring that the meal still contains all critical nutrients is essential.  Dramatically reducing portions can cause the dog to become malnourished, which will cause the body to scavenge muscle tissue for energy. A diet that contains high-quality proteins will prevent muscle loss, promote fat loss, and reduce the incidence of weight rebound after the dog reaches the ideal body weight. 

There are three basic feeding plans: free feeding, restricted feeding, and intermittent fasting. The one commonly used that correlates with obesity is the free-feeding plan. Many dogs that are allowed free access to food at all times fail to self-regulate their caloric intake. Providing food on a restricted feeding schedule, either with the restriction of time or the restriction of amount, regulates the amount of food the dog consumes daily. 

Intermittent fasting provides a window o f time, usually at least 12 hours, during which the dog is only given water. During fasting, a dog’s body enters into metabolic phases that utilize less glucose and more ketones from the body's existing fat stores. This promotes the loss of body fat. 

Transitioning an Overweight Dog to a Raw Diet 

Once the dog's ideal weight has been determined, the new feeding plan should target that ideal weight. Beginning to feed for that size of the dog, rather than the dog’s current size, will allow the body to shed extra accumulated fat. 

Switching to a species-appropriate diet will provide the dog with a lower calorie-density meal because of the higher moisture content, the reduced carbohydrate levels, and the better quality of the proteins in the food. The whole, fresh foods are more satiating for dogs, leaving them feeling fuller for more extended periods as they do not experience the sugar spikes caused by excessive carbohydrates.

Transitioning to a raw diet  can be stressful for some dogs, while others quickly take to it. Most dog parents gradually transition their dogs using the 25%-75% kibble to raw food for the first week. They next do a 50:50% ratio for a week or more. They then use 25% kibble to 75% raw for a few days and finally transition to fully raw afterward. Many dogs will become reliant on raw food early in the transition and refuse the kibble! 

Although the goal of the weight loss program is for the dog to lose body fat, it must be done gradually and steadily but without causing a steep decrease in energy. Studies have shown that the ideal rate of weight loss for the dog is approximately 0.85% per week, on average. The range was 0.35%-1.56% weight loss per week, depending on the dog’s current weight and activity level. Losing less than 1% of body weight per week limited the risk of muscle loss, rebound weight gain and nutrient deficiencies. 

Throughout the weight loss plan, adjustments will need to be made to the amount of food provided to the dog, especially for dogs with additional medical conditions.  Regular weight measurements and BSC and MCS assessments should be performed. 

As an overweight dog begins to lose weight, it will have more energy. Gradually increasing exercise will aid in the loss of body fat. However, simply letting the dog outside in the backyard does not guarantee that it is exercising. Dog parents must set an intention to increase their dog’s activity level by going on daily walks and playtime. The duration and difficulty of the walks can be increased as the dog’s endurance level increases.

Some veterinary animal rehabilitation centers have the equipment and alternative modalities that can improve a dog’s mobility. Water treadmills, acupuncture, and massage therapy are a few of the services they may offer.

Once a dog reaches its ideal weight, the dog parent must maintain a proper diet program and schedule activities to sustain it. Dogs that have been overweight or obese will more easily rebound to their heavier weight. A life-long practice of monitoring weight, BCS, and MCS will ensure that the dog maintains its proper weight and health benefits. 

Caloric reduction is not the only component of a weight-loss plan for dogs.

Commercial diets marketed for weight loss contain excessive carbohydrates and fillers, similar to those fed that lead to obesity.

Feeding schedules can also play a role in a dog’s weight level. Free feeding should be avoided as many dogs cannot self-regulate and will consume more food than their bodies need.

The relationship of feeding patterns and obesity in dogs  

Pet obesity management: beyond nutrition 

2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines 

Use of canine hydrotherapy as part of a rehabilitation programme | The Veterinary Nurse 

AAHA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines for Dogs and Cats 

The initial evaluation should include a body condition score (<a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/bcs">BCS</a>), which assesses the amount of <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/body-fat">body fat</a>, similar to the Body Mass score for humans. A muscle condition score (<a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/mcs">MCS</a>) that evaluates the dog’s musculature to monitor muscle wasting should be performed during the weight management program. Bloodwork will also be included in the initial exam to determine if any underlying conditions need to be treated.

Many veterinarians will recommend the use of a weight-loss prescription diet. However, examining the list of ingredients and the guaranteed analysis reveals that the diets are very similar to the high-carbohydrate diets the dog has been consuming. One of the leading causes of canine obesity is the consumption of too many <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/carbohydrates">carbohydrates</a>, the macronutrients that dogs do not require!

<a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/transitioning-your-dog-to-raw">Transitioning to a species-appropriate diet</a>  has many benefits for the overweight dog. The dog parent knows the exact components of the diet and has total control of the ingredients. A raw or fresh food diet will consist of muscle meat for protein, raw meaty bones for <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/calcium">calcium</a>, phosphorus, and other vital nutrients, secreting organs, seafood, and fiber. Minimal carbohydrates and no fillers are in the diet. 

A weight loss program aims to lose body fat while preserving muscle mass. When reducing a dog’s portion sizes for weight loss, ensuring that the meal still contains all critical nutrients is essential.  Dramatically reducing portions can cause the dog to become malnourished, which will cause the body to scavenge muscle tissue for <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/adenosine-triphosphate">energy</a>. A diet that contains high-quality proteins will prevent muscle loss, promote fat loss, and reduce the incidence of weight rebound after the dog reaches the ideal body weight. 

There are three basic feeding plans: free feeding, restricted feeding, and <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/intermittent-fasting">intermittent fasting</a>. The one commonly used that correlates with obesity is the free-feeding plan. Many dogs that are allowed free access to food at all times fail to self-regulate their caloric intake. Providing food on a restricted feeding schedule, either with the restriction of time or the restriction of amount, regulates the amount of food the dog consumes daily. 

<a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/intermittent-fasting-in-dogs">Intermittent fasting</a> provides a window o f time, usually at least 12 hours, during which the dog is only given <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/adenosine-triphosphate">water</a>. During fasting, a dog’s body enters into metabolic phases that utilize less <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/glucose">glucose</a> and more ketones from the body's existing fat stores. This promotes the loss of body fat. 

<a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/transitioning-your-dog-to-raw">Transitioning to a raw diet </a> can be stressful for some dogs, while others quickly take to it. Most dog parents gradually transition their dogs using the 25%-75% <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/kibble">kibble</a> to raw food for the first week. They next do a 50:50% ratio for a week or more. They then use 25% kibble to 75% raw for a few days and finally transition to fully raw afterward. Many dogs will become reliant on raw food early in the transition and refuse the kibble! 

What is the Best Weight-Loss Management Plan for Dogs?

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