How to approach weight loss in the obese canine

The terms ‘obese’ and ‘overweight’ are based on an animal's current bodyweight relative to an ideal bodyweight. Although using an animal's body fat index (BFI) as a measure of ideal weight is more accurate than bodyweight, bodyweight remains easier to measure in a routine practice setting (Toll et al, 2010). An animal's current weight divided by an estimation of its ideal bodyweight is defined as its relative bodyweight (RBW). A dog is considered obese when its RBW is greater than 20%, and overweight with its RBW is greater than 10% (Toll et al, 2010). According to a 2010 UK veterinary practice survey, slightly over 59% of dogs were classified as overweight or obese (Courcier et al, 2010). Being overweight or obese is a disease and is thought to be the most prevalent form of malnutrition found in veterinary practice (Brooks et al, 2014). Canine obesity increases risk and prevalence of metabolic disorders, endocrine disease, reproductive disorders, cardiopulmonary disease, urinary disorders, dermatological disease, and neoplasia (Table 1) (German, 2006; Toll et al, 2010). A 25% lifetime reduction in food intake has demonstrated a significantly increased median lifespan, and delayed the onset of clinical signs associated with chronic disease (Kealy et al, 2002). A successful obesity treatment protocol should incorporate a plan for both weight loss and weight maintenance.