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Experts estimate that between 25-40% of Europe’s dogs are overweight or obese and are therefore at risk of long-term health problems1. Research has shown that overweight dogs may live up to two years less than those that are at normal weight 2 and the list of serious health problems linked to obesity include heart disease3, diabetes4 and osteoarthritis5.

Being overweight also reduces the quality of life of many dogs, as they are unable to exercise without becoming too tired, out of breath or too hot. This in turn reduces the amount of fun that owners can have with their pet, and potentially damages the pet/owner relationship.

According to Dr Alex German, who runs Europe’s first companion animal weight management referral clinic at the University of Liverpool (www.pet-slimmers.com), the rise in dog obesity has a number of basic causes: “Our modern, work-oriented lifestyles mean that many pets do not get the exercise that they should. Instead of forging the owner/pet bond with the experience of shared exercise and play, many owners use treats as a way of showing their love for their dog.”

The combination of too many calories taken in and not enough calories burnt off, is the basic reason why our pets are putting on weight, says Dr German.

“Of course, prevention is better than cure,” he says, “and getting into good habits when you first get a new dog is the best strategy. But in cases where the dog has become overweight, the answer is to follow a diet and exercise plan devised by a veterinarian.”

However, owners often find it difficult to stick to a weight loss programme, especially if their pet seems to be continually hungry.

“The new drug option means that vets now have an extra tool that can help owners to follow and be successful with a weight loss plan,” says Dr German.

The new treatment is being marketed by Pfizer Animal Health as an integral part of a weight loss programme alongside dietary and exercise modification and is available only from veterinary surgeons. The drug comes in liquid form and can be either added to the dog’s food once a day or put directly into the dog’s mouth using a syringe. A course of treatment may last up to 12 months, and the dose is adjusted regularly to maintain a healthy, gradual and tailor-made weight loss.

“This is not a cure for obesity, nor is it meant to be used as the sole method of weight loss,” says Dr German. “For long term success, owners still have to be motivated to follow an integrated weight loss programme, which includes other elements such as modified diet and/or exercise. However, it can help owners to succeed with getting their dogs to lose weight successfully.”

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CANINE OBESITY Q & A

Q: How common are overweight and obese dogs?
A: Experts generally agree that the problem of canine obesity has increased dramatically over the last few decades, following a similar trend of overweight and obese people. Various studies estimate that between 25 and 40 per cent of dogs are overweight or obese, making it a significant issue for European dog owners

Q: What causes dogs to become overweight and obese?
A: The simple answer is that if dogs eat more calories than they burn off by exercising, they will gain weight. If this pattern continues, a dog will become overweight and eventually obese.

Owners may be tempted to give their pet treats as a way of showing their love for their animal. Dogs quickly learn that begging is a good way of getting extra food and extra calories they don’t need.

Dogs are not naturally sedentary animals. They need routine exercise and disciplined feeding to stay healthy. Owners who have variable and busy work and social lives may also find it difficult to give their dog the routine exercise it needs to stay fit and burn off calories.

Occasionally an underlying health problem, such as a hormonal problem or a joint problem, may increase a dog’s chance of becoming overweight.

Unfortunately, it has been shown that the longer a dog is obese, the more difficult it is for it to lose weight.

Q: Are there any health risks for my dog if it is overweight or obese?
A: Excess weight puts extra strain on a dog’s body and it increases the risk of it developing conditions such as heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes and osteoarthritis. As such, canine obesity is now considered to be a medical condition. Research has also confirmed that overweight dogs may have a life expectancy up to 2 years shorter than normal weight dogs.

As well as the higher risk of developing serious illness, overweight dogs may also have a decreased quality of life. They may be unable to enjoy walks or play with their owners without quickly becoming tired, hot and breathless. They may also suffer from joint pain which restricts their ability to exercise. Being less able to exercise means dogs are less able to burn off excess calories, which just makes the problem worse.

Q: Which dogs are most likely to become obese?
A: Like people, dogs tend to put on more weight as they get older, and the problem is seen most often in middle age (6-10 years of age). Any dog can become overweight but certain breeds, such as Beagles, Retrievers (especially Labradors), Cocker Spaniels and Rottweilers, do seem to be more prone to the problem. Dogs that have been neutered also seem to be at greater risk because they need fewer calories and may have an increased appetite.

Q: How can dogs lose weight?
A: A calorie controlled diet combined, if possible, with an increase in exercise levels is the basis of most weight loss programmes. Until recently there were no other options. This approach may be used to gradually reduce weight. Once a dog’s target weight has been achieved the behaviour of owner and dog must be permanently changed to prevent a rebound in weight. Unfortunately, many owners find it very difficult to stick to a diet and exercise programme and the longer a dog is obese, the more difficult it is for a dog to lose weight.

Q: How can the new canine weight loss medication programme help?
A: Veterinarians can now recommend a tailored weight loss medication programme designed to be used alongside dietary and exercise control as part of a weight loss programme. It can help:
- by increasing the ‘full’ feeling that a dog experiences when eating and thus making dietary restriction more likely to succeed.
- by reducing the begging behaviour of the dog and by facilitating the establishment of the new feeding regimen.
- by gradually and visibly reducing a dog’s weight, which encourages a pet owner’s long-term commitment to maintaining their dog’s healthy weight.

Q: How does this canine weight loss medication programme work?
A: This new canine weight loss treatment has been developed specifically for use in dogs, and only dogs. It works by slightly reducing the fat absorption and making the dog feel ‘full’ earlier than would be the case without the drug. As a result, food consumption is reduced, and fewer calories are taken in. This treatment also facilitates the use and acceptance of calorie controlled diets.

Q: Are there any side-effects?
A: Unlike some human weight loss drugs, this canine weight loss treatment does not work by interfering with the digestion of fat in the gut – so it is less likely to cause intestinal upsets such as diarrhoea. Some dogs may get an upset stomach and vomit when they are first treated, but this effect usually goes away as treatment continues.

Q: Can this new treatment be used in cats?
A: Currently there is no drug approved for weight loss in cats. The treatment launched by Pfizer Animal Health was developed specifically for use in dogs and must not be used in any other animal. It must not be used in humans.

Q: What steps should owners take if they think their dog is overweight?
A: Owners who think their dog’s weight may be excessive should ask their veterinary surgeon for advice. Their vet will be able to recommend the best treatment options and adapt it to a specific canine patient. The earlier the problem is caught, the easier it is to reverse and the lower the risk to a dog’s long-term health and quality of life.

Q: How can excess weight and obesity be prevented?
A: Checking and evaluating body weight should also be part of a dog’s annual health check. It is easier to prevent obesity than it is to reverse it. The key is to start young and implement good dietary and exercise habits right from the start. If a dog starts to look as though it is consistently putting on weight, despite following this advice, then the problem should be discussed with the veterinary surgeon sooner rather than later.

A representative of online pet medicine supplier PetMeds.co.uk said this:

We believe that exercise and controlled feeding is the solution. Usually owners simply overfeed their pets and/or don’t exercise them properly. We would only recommend the use of the product on a short term basis for dogs which was critically obese. This would be similar to extreme measures taken on humans occasionally but these are exceptional circumstances and aren’t of course readily available.

When an owner sees their dog getting overweight, it should make them think that they are usually doing something wrong and we hope those people then act on this, by giving more exercise and giving proper dog food in controlled amounts.

A readily available tablet will simply leave dogs more vulnerable to more abuse.

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