Breed/Genetic Susceptibility: Among the smaller breed dogs, Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Pugs, Miniature Schnauzers, and Shetland Sheepdogs are most likely to be obese. The larger breeds are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Collies. Some dogs, regardless of breed, only live to eat which can be difficult to deal with without close supervision.

Sterilization: Let me be clear on this, sterilization does not cause obesity. Weight gain usually occurs after sexual maturity, when spaying is done. Having said, sterilization does increase the chances of obesity because of certain hormonal changes that occur after sterilization as well as a decrease in the metabolic rate by 20 to 25%. Furthermore, the dog’s activity level decreases after sterilization while his food/calorie intake remains the same. Spaying or neutering our dogs, however, is strongly encouraged as the health benefits outweigh the disadvantage. It’s our responsibility to maintain the weight of our sterilized dog through proper diet and exercise.

Hormonal Abnormalities: Endocrine diseases like Hypothyroidism (thyroid gland doesn’t produce sufficient hormones) and Hyperadrenocortism a.k.a Cushing’s Disease (too much adrenal hormone is produced) may result in obesity.

Age: Obesity tends to be a problem of middle-aged and senior dogs as their metabolic system slows down where they can’t convert food into energy as quickly as they were younger. Generally, senior dogs only require about 25 to 30% less calories than young adult dogs. To calculate the calories intake for your dog use the chart here. In addition to slower metabolism, dogs also become less active as they age hence his total daily energy needs to decrease.

Activities: Another possible factor, but not an excuse, is the increase in demands on pet owners’ time from work or family responsibilities which makes it more challenging for them to exercise their dog adequately. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but these factors should be weighed in before you consider getting a dog—part and parcel of being a responsible dog owner.

Diet: Nutrition and palatability are important factors that are heavily marketed in commercial dog food and treats. I suppose it’s natural we feel better as pet parents that the food our dog eat is both delicious and provides some inherent health benefits. However, too much of a good thing kills. Feeding a highly palatable and nutritional diet may contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity if your dog overeats. Another possibility is feeding impromptu and irregular or constant (free-feeding) meals and too much of the wrong kind of food, such as table scraps or treats and coupled with having too little exercise, idleness, nervousness, and stress can also lead to obesity.

Series Posts on Dog Obesity:

1. Dog Obesity: What Are The Health Risks?
2. Behavioral Consequences Of An Overweight Dog
3. What Causes Obesity In Dogs
4. Dog Obesity Assessment
5. Weight Lose Program For dogs
6. Dog Obesity: Prevention and Maintenance Programs

Table. Former White House Presidential First Dogs (Adapted from PresidentialPetMuseum.com)

The First Dog serves many roles – the only confidant guaranteed to be available 24/7, to listen without lobbying for pet projects, and to never leak sensitive information to the Press. Fido is also Nature’s perfect “personal trainer” – never having an excuse for skipping exercise.

Among the many problems facing President Obama is the growing global epidemic of obesity, affecting about one in every three to four adults in the United States and Europe. Obesity is also affects Asia, with one in every five adults overweight or obese in China. According to World Health Organization statistics, about 1.6 billion adults are overweight globally, and at least 400 million are obese. Eating habits and low activity both contribute to this growing crisis. In 2008, the US Department of Labor reported that only 16 percent of Americans ages 15 and older exercised at all on an average day! This is where your “canine personal trainer” can help.

Exercising with Dixie

According to the Humane Society, 4 in every 10 homes have their own “canine personal trainer” on staff. Dog owners tend to get more exercise than non-owners. The California Health Interview Survey (published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Physical Activity and Health) found that dog owners were 60 percent more likely to walk for leisure than people who didn’t own dogs. Dog owners walked almost 20 minutes more each week than people without dogs. A Canadian survey published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in February 2006 reported than Canadian dog owners walked an average of 300 minutes each week compared with 170 minutes for people without dogs.

And walking our dogs – big or small – can lead to better health and less obesity. The journal Preventive Medicine in September 2008 reported that dog owners who walked their dogs were almost 25 percent less likely to be obese than people without dogs. Furthermore, the April 2008 issue of Health Promotion Journal of Australia described how having a dog in the house reduced the risk of childhood obesity by half!

Tips for exercising with Lady

• If you or your dog have health problems or are seniors, check with your doctor and veterinarian before starting a new exercise program.
• You don’t need to have a dog who likes to run or jog. Taking 2-3 shorter 10 to15 minute walks a day will give you better health benefits than one long walk. And you’ll be more likely to stick with a program of shorter walks.
• Vary your walks – look for new places or new routes to explore.

If, like the Obamas, you don’t have a dog, you can still benefit from dog walking by:

• Walking the neighbor’s terrier.
• Volunteering to walk dogs at your local animal shelter.
• If you’re considering getting your own dog, check out websites to see what breed is most compatible with you and your lifestyle, such as SelectSmart.com

So be presidential – make Toby your canine fitness trainer today and start on the road to a healthier, more active life!

Article contributed by regular guest blogger Dawn A. Marcus.

About the author: Dawn A. Marcus, MD is a medical doctor and professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also serves as medical expert to Del Monte’s Power of Paws program, which promotes better human health through pet companionship. She is an internationally-recognized speaker, educator, and author, receiving the National Headache Foundation Media Excellence Award. Dr. Marcus has written nine medical books, including her latest book, Fit As Fido: Follow Your Dog to Better Health. Visit her websites www.dawnmarcusmd.com and www.fitasfido.com.