160 Bear Christiana Rd
Bear, De 19701
302-322-6488
Dr. Jim Berg
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Dog Questions
Dear Dr. Berg,
My wife keeps telling me that our schnauzer, Max, is fat and I don't think that he is. I have to sneak him treats
when she is not looking. How can you tell if a dog is fat?
L.L, Middletown
It's a sad sign of the times that, just as the average two-legged animal is becoming a little plumper, so are our
pets. Our daily lives just seem busier, so that we don't always make the time to exercise our pets or ourselves.
In the wild, dogs and cats eat only periodically, and the fat cells serve a vital function to provide energy to
the body during times when there is no game to catch.
In the average US household, a cat or dog doesn't have to catch its meal to eat. A meal simply requires pointing
out to their personal chef..I mean owner… that it is time to put the can in the can opener and push the button.
And it had better be the right flavor and the right brand and the right temperature (no "refrigerator lumps",
PLEASE!).
Too often we give in two those two big eyes staring longingly at us as we eat food that smells simply delicious,
but which may not be too nutritious. The tidbits that we are tempted to give to our pets are often high in fat
and calories…pieces of meat, cheese, ice cream, chips.
If dogs and cats ate only dog and cat food, I think we would see much less of a weight problem in our pet population.
The general rule-of-thumb that I tell pet owners is that no more than 10% of a dog or cat's calories should be
things other than dog/cat food. This includes licking off plates, stealing ice cream cones, dropped cereal from
the baby chair, and anything that doesn't have a dog or a cat on the label and which you would gladly eat yourself.
Most, but not all, dogs and cats if fed a dry-food-only diet, will eat only what their bodies require. In our household,
we feed our dog twice daily when we eat and let her eat "to satisfaction" for about 15 minutes each meal.
I'm not sure how we know just how much is needed, because it's always different than what is recommended on the
bag. But it seems to all work, and Nikki's weight remains stable, and she loves us for feeding her well.
To determine if your dog is fat requires an honest look at your dog's physique. In dogs, excess fat is usually
carried around the chest (so that they "jiggle" when you rub their chest) and over the hips, giving them
a square look if viewed from behind.
When cats become overweight, they often develop a "pouch" that hangs down beneath them and often touches
the floor. In general, you should be able to feel a dog or cat's ribs fairly easily, but not see them.
Should you suspect that your pet is over-weight, a good weight-loss program begins with a trip to your veterinarian.
There, he can do a complete physical examination to be sure that there are no health problems that may be contributing,
take an accurate starting weight (without you having to weigh yourself….we might need two diets), and make some
good suggestions of foods and feeding techniques.
It is also important to enlist the cooperation of the entire family should you decide to put your dog or cat on
a diet. I had one client who told me that they had just about cut their beagle Barney down to 1 teaspoon of dog
food twice daily in an effort to get him to lose weight. They found out that Barney had been making a side-trip
next door every morning when he was let out to go to the bathroom. It seem that those big brown eyes worked magic
on the neighbors as well as the family.
Incidentally, there can be "something wrong with the glands" to cause a pet to become heavy. A relatively
common diagnosis in dogs these days is HYPOTHYRODISM. Caused by too little thyroid hormone circulating in the bloodstream,
these dogs tend to have skin problems, ear problems, tired attitudes, and gain weight easily.
The good news is that, properly diagnosed by your veterinarian using blood tests, this condition can be treated,
and often produces dramatic results.
II am also a big fan of raw veggies as treats for dogs that are on a diet. You would be surprised how many dogs
love raw carrots, peel and all. Cherry tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, green beans can all make satisfying
low-calorie treats as long as they do not give your particular pet digestive problems. The calories in these veggies
are often 1/10 of what is in traditional bisquits.
So jiggle your dog's chest, pinch the ribs, and see your veterinarian for an assessment of your dogs's over-all
health.
A trim dog or cat lives longer, is more active, has fewer joint problems, has fewer health problems, breathes easier,
and is a happier companion to have around. By keeping your dog or cat healthy, you give a precious gift of love
that pays big rewards for you and your pet.
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