By Rachele Baker, DVM – Approximately 25% of dogs are diagnosed with arthritis in their lifetimes. Arthritis in dogs is a slowly progressive disease that affects joint cartilage, bones, and the surrounding muscle tissue. Joint cartilage degeneration and inflammation of the joints due to arthritis leads to stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving and exercising.

Lack of exercise worsens arthritis due to decreased joint fluid production which results in further joint cartilage degeneration. Inactivity also results in loss of the muscle mass that is needed to support the joints.

Signs of Arthritis in Dogs

Signs that your dog may have arthritis include lameness, decreased activity, stiffness (especially after rest), difficulty getting up or lying down, difficulty climbing stairs, or reluctance to jump. Stiffness may decrease after the dog has been moving around for a while. Lameness often worsens if the dog is overly active. X-rays can be taken to confirm a diagnosis of arthritis.

Arthritis is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary arthritis is associated with aging and is typically a disease of older dogs. Secondary arthritis may develop as a result of injuries such as rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in a dog’s stifle (similar to an ACL injury in football) or other joint problems such as joint malalignment.

Multimodal treatment of arthritis in dogs is recommended and can help to minimize pain, enhance mobility, and enable arthritic dogs to have a better quality of life.

Multimodal Treatment of Arthritis in Dogs

It is not possible to cure arthritis in dogs. The goals for treatment are to reduce pain and discomfort, slow the progression of the disease, promote the repair of damaged tissues, and restore function in the affected joints.

Multimodal treatment of arthritis in dogs may include weight control, disease-modifying dietary supplements (nutraceuticals), pain control, and rehabilitation therapy.

Weight Control

Excess weight in dogs can increase the severity of arthritis because extra body weight puts more force on the joints when the dog is standing, walking, or running. Studies have shown that when dogs with hip arthritis lose excess weight, they experience a significant improvement in lameness and pain. These studies have found that as little as 6% to 8% weight loss in overweight dogs can result in a significant decrease in lameness due to arthritis.

Weight problems in dogs are usually the result of the same things that cause people to become overweight, namely, excessive amounts of food and/or insufficient exercise. However, some dogs may have a medical condition that causes them to gain weight such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease). If you suspect that overfeeding or lack of exercise are not the reason for your dog being overweight, it is recommended that you have your veterinarian screen your dog for these conditions with some baseline bloodwork prior to starting your dog on a weight loss plan. 

Diet

The most effective weight loss plans for dogs involve feeding fewer calories as well as increasing activity. For a detailed discussion about determining your dog’s ideal body weight and selecting an appropriate dog food and treat allowance for your dog, please read my article titled Is Your Dog Overweight? How To Develop A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog.

Low-Impact Exercise

Arthritic dogs may be reluctant to exercise due to the pain and stiffness in their joints. Pain management for dogs with arthritis will be discussed later in this article. After instituting pain relief as discussed below, an exercise program of low-impact exercises such as leash walks and swimming can be instituted. Daily low-impact exercise will help your dog lose weight, increase joint mobility, build and maintain muscle mass, and promote joint health. Building up the muscles around the joints helps to promote joint stability.

High-impact activities such as running or jumping should be discouraged because they can increase joint pain and inflammation.

Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for dogs with arthritis. Water exercise decreases the weight placed on limbs during movement and increases the resistance to motion. In a study comparing land and water exercise programs in people with knee arthritis, both exercise programs led to improved joint function, but the joint pain experienced was less for the patients exercising in water.

Do not assume that your dog instinctively knows how to swim. Start him or her off in shallow water no higher than belly deep and keep him or her on a long leash. Get into the water with your dog and praise your dog for venturing into the water. Do not let your dog go into deep water until you are confident that he or she is a strong swimmer. If your dog is hesitant about walking into the water, you can throw a ball or a toy a couple of feet out to encourage him or her.

If you are taking your dog swimming in a lake or the ocean, get him or her a well-fitted canine life vest. If you are taking your dog swimming in a pool, repeatedly show him or her how to find the steps to climb out of the pool until you are confident that your dog knows where the steps are and how to get out of the pool when he or she tires. Never leave your dog unsupervised in the pool.

Once your dog is good at swimming, you can throw a ball, toy, or stick out into the water for him or her to fetch. Dogs love this game and it is great exercise for them.

Dietary Supplements (Nutraceuticals)

A number of disease-modifying dietary supplements (nutraceuticals) have been shown to be helpful in the treatment of arthritis in dogs. Dietary supplements should be started as early as possible in arthritic dogs for the greatest effect. Nutraceuticals for arthritis in dogs include glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, ASU (avocado soybean unsaponifiables), MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (DHA and EPA).

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate

Studies in humans have shown that glucosamine significantly reduces the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine has been shown to be as effective as some commonly used pain medications in reducing joint pain and improving joint function.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate stimulate joint cartilage production and inhibit joint cartilage breakdown. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate used together have been shown to be better than either product alone at protecting joint cartilage.

Cosequin and Dasuquin are good quality joint supplements for dogs (both manufactured by Nutramax Laboratories). Cosequin contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Dasuquin contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as well as ASU (discussed below). Dasuquin is also available with MSM (discussed below). No significant side effects have been reported with Cosequin or Dasuquin.

ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables)

ASU is concentrated directly from avocados and soybeans. Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables are one of the most commonly used treatments for humans with arthritis in Europe.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that ASU may help to inhibit joint cartilage degradation and promote joint cartilage repair. ASU can improve joint function and comfort. ASU supplementation reduced the need for oral pain medications in a clinical trial in humans with arthritis.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM occurs naturally in some green plants, fruits, and vegetables. Studies have shown that MSM is effective in reducing arthritis pain and stiffness as well as in improving joint function. MSM helps to decrease joint cartilage degeneration and may also have anti-inflammatory effects.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA and EPA)

Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil (DHA and EPA) improve clinical signs of arthritis in dogs and may allow a reduction in pain medications. DHA and EPA from fish oil reduce destructive enzymes and inflammatory mediators in joints.

In one study, dogs fed a diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil averaged a twenty-five percent decrease in the amount of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) pain medications needed. Similarly, in a study of humans with arthritis, omega-3 fatty acid (DHA and EPA) supplementation reduced joint stiffness and pain and decreased their use of NSAID pain medications.

In another study, eighty-two percent of dogs receiving high omega-3 fatty acid diets had reduced joint pain and improved weight bearing. A study of 127 dogs with arthritis demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in significant improvement in the dogs’ ability to rise from a resting position, walk, and play compared to dogs not receiving omega-3 fatty acids.

Pain Control

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be used for relief of pain and inflammation in dogs with arthritis. NSAIDs can be used short term (on an as-needed basis) or long term for dogs whose pain cannot be controlled with weight control and nutraceuticals alone.

NSAIDs that have been approved for use in dogs in the United States include Rimadyl (carprofen), Deramaxx (deracoxib), EtoGesic (etodolac), Previcox (firocoxib), Metacam (meloxicam), and Zubrin (tepoxalin). Side effects that may occur with NSAID use include vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ulcers, liver problems, and kidney problems. Dogs should be screened for liver or kidney problems with bloodwork performed by your veterinarian prior to starting NSAIDs. Dogs should also have regular bloodwork performed to monitor for adverse side effects that may develop while on long-term NSAIDs.

Galliprant (grapiprant)

Galliprant (grapiprant) is in a new class of NSAIDs that may cause fewer adverse side effects in dogs than other NSAIDs. Side effects that may occur with Galliprant include vomiting and diarrhea. Galliprant is expected to have similar efficacy as other NSAIDs in the treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Mild gastrointestinal (GI) side effects (occasional soft stool or vomiting) were noted in a 9-month safety study in which grapiprant was administered to dogs once a day. In that study, grapiprant did not cause GI ulceration or perforation as has been seen in dogs treated with other NSAIDS. In addition, no adverse side effects on the dogs’ livers or kidneys were observed.

Since this is a recently released drug, other adverse side effects may be discovered.

Other Pain Medications

Other oral pain medications such as tramadol and gabapentin can be used alone or in conjunction with NSAIDs if NSAIDs alone do not provide adequate pain relief.

Rehabilitation Therapy

Rehabilitation therapy can help to reduce the progression of arthritis and decrease pain. Various rehabilitation therapies can increase muscle mass, improve muscle condition, increase range of motion in the joints, and improve weight bearing in arthritic limbs.

There are many different rehabilitation therapies that can be used for arthritis in dogs. In this article, we will discuss therapeutic laser, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy, and hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill and swimming). Many general practice veterinary hospitals are now offering laser therapy. A broader selection of rehabilitation therapies are offered in dedicated canine rehabilitation centers.

Therapeutic Laser

Laser therapy is the use of light energy to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow. Laser light energy penetrates deeply into the cells of the body and exerts effects on all the chemical processes within the cells. It increases the release of endorphins and decreases inflammatory mediators in the body.

The older Class III therapy lasers (Low Level Laser Therapy) are lasers with a maximum wattage of 0.5 watts. The newer Class IV therapy lasers provide from 0.5 to 15 watts of power. Class IV therapy lasers are considered deep tissue, high powered lasers.

For a chronic, painful condition like arthritis, an induction phase of more frequent laser treatment sessions is recommended. As laser therapy continues, less frequent therapy is required to maintain a dog’s comfort. Based on the dog’s response to therapy, treatments are decreased over time until a maintenance phase is established.

PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) Therapy

PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy is a treatment that uses pulsing electromagnetic fields to provide pain relief, reduce inflammation and swelling, and promote healing. PEMF therapy has no adverse side effects. PEMF therapy can be used in conjunction with medications and supplements and may provide enough pain relief that dosages of pain medications can be reduced.

PEMF therapy can pass through fur, skin, bandages, and casts. It can be delivered via mats that animals lie on, jackets, and portable loops

Targeted PEMF (tPEMF) therapy results in upregulation of nitric oxide (NO) which promotes dilation of blood vessels and improved blood flow. This leads to a reduction in pain, swelling, and inflammation. Targeted PEMF also supports new blood vessel formation and tissue regeneration. Targeted PEMF devices are more efficient than non-targeted PEMF devices that produce weaker electric fields. Targeted PEMF devices generate an electric field that is seven times stronger than non-targeted PEMF devices.

Studies of non-targeted PEMF therapy versus targeted PEMF therapy in people have shown that both help to decrease pain in people with knee arthritis. However, targeted PEMF therapy resulted in a greater reduction in arthritis pain in much less time (30 minutes a day versus 12 hours a day). Veterinary studies have also demonstrated the benefits of PEMF therapy for arthritis in dogs.

Assisi Animal Health manufactures targeted PEMF devices for animals including portable loops, mats, and jackets. The Assisi Loop is available to pet owners directly from their veterinarian or from Assisi Animal Health with a prescription.

Hydrotherapy – Underwater Treadmill

Low-impact exercise using an underwater treadmill can help to reduce the pain of arthritis. The buoyancy of the water in an underwater treadmill unloads weight from the joints and provides support so that an arthritic dog can exercise more comfortably. The resistance to motion provided by the water helps to improve muscle strength and increase the range of motion in arthritic joints.

The warm water in an underwater treadmill increases circulation, alleviates pain, and promotes dilation of blood vessels and improved blood flow. In addition, exercise increases a dog’s heart rate which helps to improve cardiovascular fitness.

In conclusion, multimodal treatment of arthritis in dogs including weight control, disease-modifying dietary supplements (nutraceuticals), pain control, and rehabilitation therapy, can help arthritic dogs feel more comfortable and enjoy a better quality of life.

The post Arthritis In Dogs: Multimodal Treatment To Help Your Dog Feel More Comfortable appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

By Rachele Baker, DVM – On July 12, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notification about their investigation into reports of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain dog foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients (labeled as grain free diets for dogs). There is concern that the increased incidence of DCM in dogs may be associated with grain free diets for dogs, “exotic ingredient” diets, or diets made by small boutique companies.

Dr. Lisa Freeman has published some excellent articles on the subject of grain free diets for dogs and diet-associated heart disease on the Tufts University PetFoodology blog and has been kind enough to allow me to share excerpts from her articles here. Dr. Lisa Freeman is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and a professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

A broken heart: Risk of heart disease
in boutique or grain free diets and exotic ingredients

by Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN
June 04, 2018

Heart disease is common in our companion animals, affecting 10-15% of all dogs, with even higher rates in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Boxer dogs. A recent increase in heart disease in dogs eating certain types of diets may shed light on the role of diet in causing heart disease.

In my twenty years as a veterinary nutritionist, I’ve seen vast improvements in our knowledge about pet nutrition, in the quality of commercial pet foods, and in our pets’ nutritional health. However, in the last few years I’ve seen more cases of nutritional deficiencies due to people feeding unconventional diets such as unbalanced home-prepared diets, raw diets, vegetarian diets, and boutique commercial pet foods. 

The pet food industry is a competitive one, with more and more companies joining the market every year. Marketing is a powerful tool for selling pet foods and has initiated and expanded fads that are unsupported by nutritional science, including grain free diets for dogs and exotic ingredient diets. All this makes it difficult for pet owners to know what is truly the best food for their pet.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (or DCM) is a serious disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to beat more weakly and to enlarge. DCM can result in abnormal heart rhythms, congestive heart failure, or sudden death. In dogs, it typically occurs in large and giant breeds such as Doberman pinschers, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, and Great Danes, where it is thought to have a genetic component. 

Recently, some veterinary cardiologists have been reporting increased rates of DCM in dogs in both the typical breeds and in breeds not usually associated with DCM such as Miniature Schnauzers or French Bulldogs. There is suspicion that the disease is associated with eating boutique or grain free diets for dogs with some of the dogs improving when their diets are changed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine and veterinary cardiologists are currently investigating this issue.

Is diet the cause?

It’s not yet clear if diet is causing this issue. The first thought was a deficiency of an amino acid called taurine. Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels were found to be at risk for DCM caused by taurine deficiency. And certain other breeds were found to be at increased risk for taurine deficiency and DCM including Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, English Setters, Irish Wolfhounds, and Portuguese Water Dogs. 

The reasons for taurine deficiency in dogs are not completely understood but could be reduced production of taurine due to dietary deficiency or reduced bioavailability of taurine or its building blocks, increased losses of taurine in the feces, or altered metabolism of taurine in the body.

Recently some cardiologists noticed higher rates of DCM in Golden retrievers and in some atypical dog breeds. They also noticed that both the typical and atypical breeds were more likely to be eating boutique or grain free diets for dogs and diets with exotic ingredients – kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, salmon, lamb, barley, bison, venison, and chickpeas. Even some vegan diets have been associated. It has even been seen in dogs eating raw or home-prepared diets.

So, is this latest rash of DCM caused by taurine deficiency? Most of these affected dogs were eating boutique, grain free, or exotic ingredient diets. Some of the dogs had low taurine levels and improved with taurine supplementation. But even some of those dogs that were not taurine deficient improved with taurine supplementation and diet change. 

It’s not so simple

Currently, it seems that there may be two separate problems occurring – one related to taurine deficiency and a separate and yet unknown problem (with a third group of dogs likely having DCM completely unrelated to diet). Identifying the potential dietary factors contributing to DCM in the non-taurine deficient dogs is more difficult, but the FDA and cardiologists are hard at work trying to solve it. What seems to be consistent is that it does appear to be more likely to occur in dogs eating boutique, grain free, or exotic ingredient diets.

There is no proof that grain free diets for dogs are better!

Many pet owners have, unfortunately, also bought into the grain free diets for dogs myth. The fact is that food allergies are very uncommon, so there’s no benefit of feeding pet foods containing exotic ingredients. And while grains have been accused on the internet of causing nearly every disease known to dogs, grains do not contribute to any health problems and are used in pet food as a nutritious source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Small pet food manufacturers might be better at marketing
than at nutrition and quality control

Making high quality, nutritious pet food is not easy! It’s more than using a bunch of tasty-sounding ingredients. The right nutrients in the right proportions have to be in the diet, the effects of processing (or not processing) the food need to be considered, and the effects of all the other ingredients in the food need to be addressed, in addition to ensuring rigorous quality control and extensive testing. Not every manufacturer can do this.

How could diet be increasing the risk for DCM?

What is the consistent factor between the diets being implicated in diet-related DCM?  It may be related to companies’ inadequate nutritional expertise or rigorous quality control. However, these problems could also be related to problems with bioavailability or interaction with other ingredients in the diet (especially the more exotic ingredients, which are not as well studied or understood). And DCM could even be the result of an ingredient in the diet that is toxic to the heart. 

What should you do?

If you’re feeding a boutique, grain free, or exotic ingredient diet, I would reassess whether you could change to a diet with more typical ingredients made by a company with a long track record of producing good quality diets. And be careful about currently available pet food rating websites that rank pet foods either on opinion or based on myths and subjective information.

It’s important to use more objective criteria (i.e. research, nutritional expertise, quality control) in judging a pet food. The best way to select what is really the best food for your pet is to ensure the manufacturer has excellent nutritional expertise and rigorous quality control standards (see “Questions you should be asking about your pet’s food”).

If you’re feeding your dog a boutique, grain free, or exotic ingredient diet, watch for early signs of heart disease – weakness, slowing down, less able to exercise, shortness of breath, coughing, or fainting. Your veterinarian will listen for a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythm and may do additional tests (or send you to see a veterinary cardiologist) such as x-rays, blood tests, electrocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram).

If your dog is diagnosed with DCM and eating one of these diets, I’d recommend the following steps:

Ask your veterinarian to test taurine levels.

Report it to the FDA. Reporting it will help us to identify and solve this current problem.

Change your dog’s diet to one made by a well-known reputable company and containing standard ingredients (i.e. chicken, beef, rice, corn, wheat). Changing to a raw or homecooked diet will not protect your dog from this issue (and may increase the risk for other nutritional deficiencies). If your dog requires a homecooked diet or has other medical conditions that require special considerations, be sure to talk to a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist (acvn.org) before making a dietary change. 

Any improvements in your dog’s DCM can take 3-6 months. Your dog will need regular monitoring and may require heart medications during this time. There’s no guarantee she’ll improve, but it is certainly worth a try.

You can find a board-certified veterinary cardiologist near you on this website: VetSpecialists.com. For more information about heart disease in dogs, please see our HeartSmart website.

It’s Not Just Grain Free:
An Update on Diet-Associated
Dilated Cardiomyopathy

By Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN
November 29, 2018

I’m pleased that people are interested in this important issue and trying to learn about it. But I’ve also found a tremendous amount of confusion and misinformation including people who doubt that this is a real issue, some who still haven’t heard about it, and people who mistakenly think it’s just grain free diets for dogs or that it’s only related to taurine. To clear up confusion, I thought I’d provide some updates to address the most common misconceptions I’m hearing.

It’s not just grain free diets for dogs

This does not appear to be just an issue with grain free diets for dogs. I am calling the suspected diets “BEG” diets – Boutique companies, Exotic ingredients, or Grain free diets for dogs. The apparent link between BEG diets and DCM may be due to ingredients used to replace grains in grain free diets for dogs, such as lentils or chickpeas, but also may be due to other common ingredients commonly found in BEG diets, such as exotic meats, vegetables, and fruits. In addition, not all pet food manufacturers have the same level of nutritional expertise and quality control, and this variability could introduce potential issues with some products.

Most dogs being diagnosed with DCM do not have low taurine levels

Some owners continue to feed a BEG diet but supplement taurine thinking that this will reduce their risk for heart disease. In our hospital, we currently measure taurine in all dogs with DCM, but more than 90% of our patients with DCM in which taurine has been measured have normal levels (and the majority are eating BEG diets). 

Yet some of these dogs with DCM and normal taurine levels improve when their diets are changed. This suggests that there’s something else playing a role in most cases – either a deficiency of a different nutrient or even a toxicity that may be associated with BEG diets. Giving taurine is unlikely to prevent DCM unless your dog has taurine deficiency. And given the lack of quality control for dietary supplements, you can introduce new risks to your dog if you give a supplement without evidence that she needs it.

Raw diets and homemade diets are not safe alternatives

Out of concern, some owners are switching from BEG diets to a raw or home-cooked diet. However, we have diagnosed DCM in dogs eating these diets too. And raw and home-cooked diets increase your dog’s risk for many other health problems. So, forego the raw or home-cooked diets and stick with a commercial pet food made by a well-established manufacturer that contains common ingredients, including grains.

Current thoughts on DCM

Currently, it appears that there may be three separate groups of dogs with DCM (although this may change as we learn more). I am listing them in the approximate frequency that we are currently seeing them in our hospital:

Diet-associated DCM with normal taurine levels. While this form of the disease was first identified in dogs of breeds not predisposed to DCM that are eating BEG diets, it appears to also occur in dogs of typical DCM breeds that are eating a BEG diet.

Primary DCM in predisposed breeds that is unrelated to diet. This is the traditional, genetically-related DCM in typical breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound, and Great Dane.

Diet-associated DCM with taurine deficiency: This is the least common form we are seeing in our hospital. This appears to happen both in breeds predisposed to DCM and breeds that are not predisposed to DCM.

Common questions

What’s causing diet-associated DCM in dogs?

For the vast majority of dogs, we do not yet know what is causing this disease. There are definitely some dogs with DCM that have low taurine levels, many of which will improve with taurine supplementation and change of diet. For dogs that have normal taurine levels however, other nutritional deficiencies may be present. Some nutritional deficiencies can affect the heart’s normal function, so an insufficient amount of these nutrients (or reduced bioavailability) in the diet could cause heart disease. Diet-associated DCM could also be due to an ingredient in the food that is toxic to the heart. 

My dog was diagnosed with DCM. What should I do?

Ask your veterinarian to measure taurine levels. Give heart medications as directed by your veterinarian. If your dog is eating a BEG diet or other unconventional diet (including vegetarian, vegan, or home-prepared diets), I recommend following the steps outlined in my previous post, including switching to a non-BEG diet. Three updates to my previous post are:

Taurine supplements: ConsumerLab released a report on independent quality control testing of taurine supplements in late 2018. Given the lack of quality control for dietary supplements (human and pet), having these results will be very useful to find good quality products for dogs that require taurine supplementation. Your veterinarian or veterinary cardiologist can help you determine an optimal dose for your dog.

Other dogs in the household: We are now recommending that other dogs in the household of dogs with DCM that are eating the same BEG diet be screened by their veterinarian since their hearts could also be affected (even if they are showing no symptoms).

Outcome: Not all dogs with DCM will improve, and improvements in the echocardiogram, when they do occur, can take a long time (often more than 6 months).

If my dog is eating a BEG diet but has no symptoms,
should I test for DCM or switch to a different diet?

It’s unlikely that most dogs eating a BEG diet will develop DCM. However, given the fact that we don’t yet understand why BEG diets are affecting some dogs and because DCM is a life-threatening disease, I recommend you reconsider your dog’s diet until we know more.  Contrary to popular belief, there are no health benefits of grain free diets for dogs or exotic ingredient diets except in the rare case of food allergy.

Be sure to watch for early signs of heart disease – weakness, slowing down, less able to exercise, shortness of breath, coughing, or fainting. If you notice any of these, get your dog checked out by your veterinarian.

My hope is that this serious situation will shine a light on the complexities of making safe and nutritious pet food and the importance of nutritional expertise and quality control, rather than just what is new and trendy.

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For more information on choosing the best food for your dog, please see my article titled The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies: Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Dog.

The post Grain Free Diets for Dogs: A Veterinary Nutritionist Discusses Diet-Associated Heart Disease appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

I recommend that you gently pull your dog’s or cat’s lips back so that you can examine the molars in the back of the mouth where tartar tends to accumulate to see if your pet has tartar build-up or gingivitis (red, inflamed gums). You can see the difference between healthy dog teeth and dog teeth with dental disease in this graphic that I created for Pet Dental Health Month:

For more information about pet dental health and tips on taking care of your pet’s teeth, please read my article Taking Care Of Your Pet’s Teeth.

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The post February Is National Pet Dental Health Month appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Praise for Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy:

5.0 out of 5 stars: “Bought the book and read it in one night. Was sooooooo very informative and interesting. Loved it from start to finish! Thanks, Rachele Baker, for putting such informative, creative, and intelligent insight into this writing!!! Will be reading and referring to this book many times in the future. So very happy I bought this book from a wonderful writer!” Denise Straulea, Goodreads, 1/14/18

5.0 out of 5 stars: “Very Informative! Great to be able to take control of my pet’s health care.” Nancy, Amazon, 2/4/18

5.0 out of 5 stars: “Both informative and easily understood. There is a lot of information here even for a lifetime dog person like me. This book belongs in every dog lover’s library.” J. R. Webber, Amazon, 3/28/18

Read on:

Chapter 1:
The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies

Essentials of good nutrition for your dog

The food that your dog receives plays a vital role in your dog’s health and quality of life. Dogs are omnivores. That means that they eat both plant material (such as fruits and vegetables) and meats. Wolves are the nearest ancestors of domestic dogs, and wolves are also omnivores. Wolves eat meat such as deer and elk as well as plant material such as fruits and berries.

Dogs that receive good quality nutrition are bright and alert with a normal body weight and a shiny, healthy hair coat. Their stools will be firm, formed, and medium to dark brown. A good quality diet for your dog will provide him or her with all the essential nutrients in the proper proportions. When you are feeding your dog a good quality commercial dog food, additional vitamins and supplements are not necessary.

The appropriate amount to feed your dog can be estimated by using the feeding guidelines on the label found on your dog’s food. You can use the dog food label as a starting point with the understanding that the amount you feed your dog may need to be adjusted depending on your dog’s needs.

You can feed your dog one or two meals a day or keep food available at all times. There are, however, disadvantages to keeping food available at all times (free choice feeding).

One disadvantage of free choice feeding is that it may be difficult to determine if your dog is eating well, especially if you have more than one dog. In addition, some dogs will eat too much and become overweight if they are free to eat as much as they want. Canned or moist foods left out at room temperature can spoil, so it is not recommended that canned or moist foods be used for free choice feeding.

If you are feeding your dog meals rather than leaving food out all the time, it is recommended that you feed your dog two meals a day (breakfast and dinner). However, very young puppies need to be fed more frequently. There is more information on feeding puppies later in this chapter.

It is fine to feed your dog either canned or dry food or a mixture of both.

Nutrition claims on dog food labels

The nutritional claims on dog food labels in the United States are primarily regulated using protocols established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). For a dog food manufacturer to state on the dog food label that a food is “complete and balanced,” manufacturers must either conduct a feeding test according to AAFCO protocols or meet the minimum AAFCO nutrient profiles.

AAFCO guidelines require that dog foods be labeled as appropriate for “growth,” “gestation/lactation” (pregnancy and nursing), “maintenance,” or “all life stages.” “All life stages” dog foods must be formulated to meet the nutrient needs of dogs in any life stage.

Starting in 2016, AAFCO guidelines require specific dog food label provisions for large and giant breed puppies (those expected to have an adult weight of more than 70 pounds). These new guidelines address the need to regulate the amount of calcium in diets for large and giant breed puppies. Large and giant breed puppies can develop bone and joint problems if their diets contain too much calcium. They should be fed a diet specifically formulated for large breed puppies until they are fully grown.

Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Ed, Chap 33: Developmental Orthopedic Disease of Dogs

Manufacturers have up to two years to comply with these new AAFCO guidelines. The new AAFCO guidelines require dog foods formulated for “growth” or “all life stages” to specify whether they include or exclude large breed dogs with one of the following statements:

[Dog Food Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for “growth” [or “all life stages”] including growth of large size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult).

or

[Dog Food Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for “growth” [or “all life stages”] except for growth of large size dogs (70 pounds or more as an adult).

Meat by-products in dog foods

What about dog foods that contain “meat by-products?” What exactly are “meat by-products” in dog foods?

Here is the AAFCO’s definition of meat by-products in dog foods:

“Meat by-products are the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hooves. It shall be suitable for use in animal food.”

What about dog foods that claim they are natural, organic, or holistic?

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines “natural” as:

“A food or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts which might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.”

The term “organic” as defined by the AAFCO means that the dog food meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). Regulations specifically for dog foods are currently being developed. In the interim, the National Organic Program has stated that dog foods claiming to be “organic” must meet the National Organic Program’s regulations for human foods.

According to the National Organic Program website, “organic” products are “produced through approved methods that promote ecological balance. Synthetic fertilizers, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”

Certified organic foods display a seal that says, “USDA Organic.”

Regulations prohibit organically processed foods from containing artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Produce can be called organic if it is certified to have been grown on soil that had no prohibited substances such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides applied for three years prior to harvest. Organic meat regulations require that animals raised for meat are fed organic feed and are not given antibiotics or hormones.

The term “holistic” has been applied to a wide range of dog foods. However, the term “holistic” is not legally defined or regulated by the AAFCO.

It is generally assumed that dog foods claiming to be “holistic” will contain wholesome, natural ingredients and no by-products. However, since there are no regulations in place to define exactly what can and cannot be included in dog foods claiming to be “holistic,” it is important to read the dog food ingredients label to be certain that the food is consistent with your expectations.

The six basic nutrient categories

A good quality diet for your dog will contain all the essential nutrients in the proper proportions. The six basic nutrient categories are water, carbohydrates, protein (essential amino acids), fat (essential fatty acids), minerals, and vitamins.

Water

You may be surprised to learn that water is considered the most important nutrient. Water is vital to life. Water is one of the largest constituents of an animal’s body and can vary from forty percent to more than eighty percent of the total.

Water provides shape to the body. It acts as a solvent in which substances are dissolved and then transported through the body. Water is necessary for the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Water in bodily fluids helps lubricate the joints and eyes and keeps the airways moist.

Water helps regulate body temperature as it is evaporated from the skin or from the respiratory tract during breathing. That is why you will see your dog pant when he or she gets hot. Panting helps to cool your dog down. Panting is the primary way that dogs get rid of excess body heat. When your dog pants, water and heat are evaporated from your dog’s lungs, tongue, and mouth.

It is very important, therefore, to make sure that your dog always has fresh, clean water. You should clean your dog’s water bowl with dish soap every day to remove bacteria and debris before refilling it with clean water. I do not recommend leaving your dog’s water bowl outside in a place where other animals in the area can drink from it due to the potential for contamination with bacteria and diseases from other animals.

Carbohydrates

The body uses simple carbohydrates and starches as a source of glucose. Simple carbohydrates and starches provide energy and heat for the body. The primary reason that simple carbohydrates and starches are added to dog foods is to supply energy.

Wheat Bran

Dietary fiber refers to compounds categorized as complex carbohydrates. Dietary fiber sources in dog foods include cellulose, peanut hulls, beet pulp, rice bran, oat bran, wheat bran, guar gum, and certain fruit pectins.

The primary benefit of dietary fiber in dog foods is to increase the amount of water and bulk in dogs’ intestines. Dietary fiber helps to regulate normal bowel function and maintain the health of your dog’s colon. It can also help manage obesity, diarrhea, and constipation.

Dog foods containing increased amounts of dietary fiber can help control body weight and aid in weight loss. Dietary fiber increases bulk in the stomach and intestines which helps a dog feel full even though he or she is consuming fewer calories overall.

Dietary fiber absorbs excess water from the stool in the intestines when a dog has diarrhea. Fiber also functions to increase water content and thereby moisten and soften the stool in the intestines when a dog is constipated.

Protein (essential amino acids)

Salmon

Proteins have many important functions in the body. Proteins are the main structural components of the collagen and elastin in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments as well as the keratin in skin, hair, and nails. Proteins in muscles enable muscles to contract. Proteins also function as antibodies, so they are a major component of the immune system. Antibodies are important to help the body fight infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

Proteins in dog foods include chicken, turkey, beef, fish, and lamb. Grains such as rice, wheat, corn, and barley can also provide proteins.

Fats (essential fatty acids)

Dietary fats supply dogs with energy and essential fatty acids. Dietary fats also enable the body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Dietary fats are the most concentrated source of energy in dog foods.

Minerals

Minerals have many essential functions in the body. For example, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are components of bones and teeth. The minerals iron, zinc, copper, and manganese are involved in enzyme and hormone systems in the body.

Vitamins

There are four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and nine water-soluble vitamins (thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin, pyridoxine (B6), pantothenic acid, folic acid, cobalamin (B12), biotin, and vitamin C).

Vitamin A is essential for a number of body functions including vision, growth, and reproduction. Fish oil, liver, and eggs are naturally rich in Vitamin A.

Vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. Calcium is the primary component of bones, so Vitamin D is important to keep bones healthy.

Sunflower Seeds and Vitamin E Capsules

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant in the body. Antioxidants help stop damage to cells in the body caused by free radicals. Free radicals are formed in the body during normal physiological processes such as converting food into energy. Dogs can also be exposed to free radicals from environmental sources such as air pollution. Vegetable oils, seeds, and grains are the richest sources of Vitamin E.

It is generally not necessary to give your dog vitamin or mineral supplements if your dog is eating a good quality commercial dog food.

Dogs’ nutritional needs change as they age. The next sections will cover the specific nutritional needs of dogs from birth to old age.

Keep reading! Get your copy of Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy on Amazon (e-book or paperback).

If you enjoy my book and find it helpful, I would be very grateful if you could spend a few minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like) on my book’s page at whichever retailer you purchase it from. People read reviews when they are trying to decide if they want to buy a book. Your review will assist in getting my book discovered so that it can help your fellow dog lovers. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to do this and for your support. I really appreciate it!

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The post The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies | Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Dog appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Regular veterinary examinations are very important to help identify health issues that may develop as your cat ages. But for your cat, a trip to the veterinarian involves getting put in a carrier, riding in a car, and then spending time in a veterinary hospital surrounded by other animals and unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. All of this can be quite stressful for your cat.

One thing you can do to make taking your cat to the veterinarian less stressful is to help your cat become comfortable with the carrier well in advance. A week or more before taking your cat to the veterinarian, place the carrier in a room where your cat spends a lot of time and prop the carrier door open. Put soft bedding in the carrier and keep treats and toys inside.

To help your cat feel more comfortable with the carrier, you can try spraying the carrier with Feliway daily. Feliway is a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromone used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. Cats rub their cheeks and facial pheromones on objects such as furniture when they are feeling comfortable and happy in their environment. When cats smell this feline facial pheromone, it helps them feel calm and relaxed.

When using Feliway spray in your cat’s carrier, the recommendation from the manufacturer is to do one spray in each corner of the carrier and two sprays on the floor and ceiling of the carrier. Feliway can be sprayed directly on bedding, inside the carrier, or in the car but it should not be sprayed directly on your cat or near your cat’s face. Feliway spray has an almost immediate effect and lasts for four to five hours.

On the day of your cat’s trip to the veterinarian, you can spray Feliway on the inside of the cat carrier and in the car. Allow the carrier and the car to dry for at least fifteen minutes before putting your cat inside.

As with most products, Feliway works well for many cats, but may not work for all cats. If Feliway does not seem to work for your cat, then discontinue using it.

Place a bath towel over your cat’s carrier while in the veterinary hospital reception area. This will help to shield your cat from strange sights and provide him or her with a feeling of security.

While you are in the veterinary hospital, try to keep your cat’s carrier off the ground and away from other animals. Leave the bath towel on the carrier until your veterinarian is ready to examine your cat.

Another product that you can use to help your calm your cat before taking your cat to the veterinarian is an all-natural product called Zylkene. Zylkene is a nutraceutical that can help calm anxious cats when they are confronted with stressful situations. Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources. The active ingredient in Zylkene is alpha-casozepine. Alpha-casozepine is a substance derived from a protein in milk called casein. It is thought that casein is the ingredient in mother’s milk that causes babies to become calm and relaxed after nursing.

Zylkene capsules can be opened and the powder mixed in with a small amount of your cat’s food. Give your cat Zylkene once a day beginning three to seven days prior to taking your cat to the veterinarian. If your cat tends to be extremely anxious, then I would recommend starting seven days prior to your cat’s trip to the veterinarian.

Zylkene has been proven safe and effective for treatment of anxiety in cats in clinical studies and it has worked very well for my cat. For more information about Zylkene, you can read my blog post entitled Zylkene: A Nutraceutical To Calm Anxious Pets.

What type of carriers are best
for taking your cat to the veterinarian?

The best carriers for taking your cat to the veterinarian are hard sided carriers with easily removable top halves. Removing the top half of the carrier allows your cat to stay in the bottom half of the carrier during his or her veterinary exam. This may help your cat to feel more relaxed during the veterinary exam, especially if your cat has had time to become comfortable with the carrier in advance of the trip to the veterinarian. In my years of experience as a veterinarian, I have seen many cats that appreciated being allowed to remain on their comfortable blanket in the bottom half of their carrier while I performed their physical exam.

There are more helpful tips in this illustration from the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Are there things that you have tried and found successful in helping your cat feel calmer when taking him or her to the veterinarian? Please share your experiences in the comments section below this post.

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The post Taking Your Cat To The Veterinarian: Ways To Help Calm Your Cat And Make The Experience Less Stressful appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Nutraceuticals are products derived from food sources. Nutraceuticals have extra health benefits in addition to the basic nutritional value of foods and are used to promote good health.

Many pet parents prefer to use all-natural products such as nutraceuticals instead of drugs to treat their pet’s fear or anxiety issues.

When dogs are exposed to stressful situations or events, they may react by engaging in destructive behavior, barking, or fear-related aggression. Fear of loud noises such as fireworks may cause dogs to whine, tremble, or seek reassurance from their owners.

When cats experience anxiety, they may exhibit signs of stress such as house soiling, urine spraying, compulsive licking, or aggression. Other signs of anxiety in cats include restlessness, avoidance, circling, and distress vocalizations.

Stress appears to play a significant role in the development of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) which is inflammation of the urinary bladder with clinical signs such as increased frequency of urination, urinating outside the litter box, and/or blood in the urine.

A couple of years ago, my cat Chessie became very stressed when I took her with me to stay in a hotel while I attended a veterinary convention. Very soon after arriving at our hotel, I noticed that there was blood in Chessie’s urine. I had heard good things about Zylkene as an all-natural product to calm anxious pets, and I wondered if it might work for Chessie. So I went to the Zylkene booth in the veterinary convention’s Exhibit Hall and spoke to a salesperson there about the problems that my cat was experiencing. The salesperson was kind enough to give me a sample of Zylkene for Chessie. Chessie’s urine returned to normal after I treated her with Zylkene. I was very impressed with the efficacy of Zylkene in treating my cat’s anxiety-related issues.

Zylkene (made by Vetoquinol) is an all-natural, non-sedating, nutritional supplement that can help to decrease anxiety in both dogs and cats. The active ingredient in Zylkene is alpha-casozepine which is derived from a protein in milk called casein. It is thought that casein is the ingredient in mother’s milk that causes babies to become calm and relaxed after nursing.

Zylkene is classified as food and has been given GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Zylkene (Alpha-Casozepine)
Has Been Proven Safe And Effective
For The Treatment Of Anxiety In Clinical Studies

Although there are many products for dogs and cats on the market making various claims, as a veterinarian, I look for products that have been proven to be both safe and effective in clinical studies. Zylkene has been proven safe and effective in clinical studies of rats, humans, dogs, and cats.

Studies performed with rats demonstrated that alpha-casozepine worked as well as diazepam (Valium) for treatment of anxiety. Studies performed with healthy human volunteers showed that alpha-casozepine can be used to prevent the physiological effects of acute or chronic stress in people.

A study by Beata et al. in 2007 compared the effects of alpha-casozepine (Zylkene) with selegiline (Anipryl) for anxiety in dogs. Thirty-eight dogs were included in the study. This study demonstrated that alpha-casozepine and selegiline were equally effective in treating anxiety disorders in dogs.

Beata et al. also studied the effects of alpha-casozepine on anxiety in cats. Thirty-four cats were included in a 56-day trial against a placebo. This study demonstrated that alpha-casozepine was successful in treating cats with anxiety due to socially stressful situations. Cats that were treated with alpha-casozepine in this study showed improvement in fearful behaviors.

How Does Zylkene (Alpha-Casozepine) Work
To Calm Anxious Pets? 

Alpha-casozepine is a natural biological substance derived from a protein in milk called casein. Alpha-casozepine is similar in structure to GABA. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps to calm the brain. Alpha-casozepine binds to GABA receptors in the brain and therefore mimics the effects of GABA.

Zylkene can be used on either a short-term or long-term basis. The calming effects of Zylkene may be observed after just a few days of treatment. However, in some pets it may take longer. For chronic behavior issues, it is recommended that Zylkene be given for a minimum of eight weeks concurrent with a behavior modification program.

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Zylkene?

Zylkene is lactose and preservative-free. It is non-sedating, non-addictive, and has no known drug interactions. In clinical studies of Zylkene in dogs and cats, no side effects were reported. It contains hydrolyzed casein derived from cow’s milk, so dogs or cats that are allergic to cow’s milk proteins may not tolerate it.

Mild gastrointestinal signs such as soft stools have occasionally been reported. These mild gastrointestinal signs tend to resolve on their own. If mild gastrointestinal signs are observed, consider reducing the dose.

What Is the Proper Dosage Of Zylkene?

The minimum effective dose of Zylkene is 15 mg/kg (approximately 7 mg per pound) per day. It comes in 75 mg (Small Dog and Cat), 225 mg (Medium Dog), and 450 mg (Large Dog) capsules.

How And When To Give Zylkene 

Zylkene comes in a capsule containing a water-soluble powder with a milky taste that is appealing to both dogs and cats. Capsules can be hidden in a treat or the contents of the capsule can be poured out and mixed with food, liquids, or treats. It only needs to be given once a day.

Zylkene should be started a few days before an anticipated stressful event such as fireworks. Some animals may need to receive it starting five to seven days prior to a stressful event. For long-term potentially stressful events such a new baby in the home, it should be given for a minimum of one to two months (or longer if necessary).

Zylkene is not recommended for cases of aggression.

Treating anxiety in dogs and cats can be challenging. A multi-modal treatment plan may be necessary. Treatments for anxiety in dogs and cats may include behavior modification programs, drugs, pheromones, and/or nutraceuticals such as Zylkene. Avoidance of stressful situations is desirable but not always practical.

Zylkene has been proven safe and effective in clinical studies as a treatment for anxiety in dogs and cats. If you have a dog or cat that suffers from anxiety or anxiety-related issues, consider trying Zylkene to see if it helps your pet.

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The post Zylkene: A Nutraceutical To Calm Anxious Pets appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Savanna

By Rachele Baker, DVM – I have a golden retriever named Savanna that has atopy (allergies to environmental allergens). Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease seen in both humans and dogs that is characterized by inflammation of the skin and itchiness due to allergies to environmental allergens. Savanna used to constantly chew and lick her belly. She would get red, raised bumps on her belly and secondary skin infections. I remembered reading about the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with allergies, so I thought it was worth a try. I started putting a liquid omega-3 fatty acid supplement (fish oil) on Savanna’s dry kibble. After a few weeks, I noticed some improvement in the amount of Savanna’s scratching and chewing.

Then I changed Savanna’s dog food to a salmon-based veterinary prescription diet and I noticed even more improvement. So I decided to try to find a dog food containing even higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. I searched online for the dog food containing the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids that I could find and then I switched Savanna to that brand of dog food. I fed her both dry kibble and canned. I mixed a half of a can with her dry kibble in the morning and fed her only dry kibble at night. I stopped using the liquid omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

After two or three months on this dog food, Savanna’s allergies were almost completely controlled! No more itching, scratching, and chewing! Occasionally Savanna will have a mild flare-up, but it is nothing like before. This experience made me a firm believer in the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with allergies to environmental allergens (atopy).

It is thought that approximately twenty percent of dogs suffering from itchy skin due to allergies can be adequately controlled by supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) alone with no other treatments necessary.

In dogs with allergies to environmental allergens in which omega-3 fatty acid supplementation alone is unable to control the itching, scratching, and chewing, omega-3 fatty acids can be used in combination with other treatments such as antihistamines or steroids. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to have an additive or synergistic effect in decreasing clinical signs of atopic dermatitis when used in combination with antihistamines or steroids.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids
And How Do They Work? 

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that are liquid at room temperature (polyunsaturated). The most common omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The omega-3 fatty acids ALA, EPA, and DHA are considered essential fatty acids because they cannot be made in the body and must be obtained in the diet or by supplementation.

The omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plant sources such as flaxseed oil, walnut oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are found in cold water oily fish. Deep water fish that store their fats in their flesh such as menhaden, mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring, and sardines have a higher content of EPA and DHA than lean fish that store their fats in their livers such as cod, haddock, catfish, and flounder.

The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have been shown to help regulate the inflammatory response to allergens in humans with atopic dermatitis and have similarly been shown to decrease inflammation and itchiness in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

How do omega-3 fatty acids work? Although inflammation is part of the normal physiological response to infection or injuries, excessive inflammatory responses by inflammatory mediators in the body contribute to many disease processes including atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflammatory agents. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA help to reduce the inflammatory response to environmental allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Therefore, oral supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids helps to decrease the itching, scratching, and recurrent skin and ear infections associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be beneficial in treating a number of other health problems in dogs including heart disease, kidney disease, and arthritis.

Clinical Studies Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
For Dogs With Allergies

In a 2003 study conducted over the course of eight weeks by Nesbitt et al., four groups of dogs with allergies to environmental allergens (a total of fifty-eight dogs) were fed four different diets containing various doses of omega-3 fatty acids. Improvement in clinical signs of allergies was noted in all groups. A study conducted by Logas et al. of sixteen atopic dogs supplemented with either fish oil or corn oil over two six-week periods showed that the dogs receiving fish oil treatment showed significant improvement in their level of itchiness, had less hair loss from self-trauma, and had better haircoat quality than the dogs receiving corn oil treatment.

What Are The Potential Side Effects Of
Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Allergies?

Oral supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids seldom leads to undesirable side effects. However, over-supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may result in interference with platelet function. Platelets are cells necessary for blood clot formation to stop bleeding when the body is injured. Over-supplementation can decrease the ability of platelets to stick together and form blood clots. Dogs appear to tolerate higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation than cats. Bleeding problems have not been reported in dogs on high omega-3 fatty acid diets.

Dogs with a history of gastrointestinal problems or pancreatitis may be more sensitive to increases in dietary fat. In these dogs, fatty acid supplementation should be gradually introduced to ensure that they can tolerate the increased level of fat in their diet. After starting omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, some dogs may experience soft stool or diarrhea. If soft stool, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal problems occur, stop fatty acid supplementation and consult with your veterinarian.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are generally safe to use with medications, but you should always advise your veterinarian of any supplements that your dog is receiving before starting any new medications or supplements.

What Is the Proper Dosage Of
Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Allergies?

When calculating the dosage of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with allergies, the milligrams (mg) of EPA plus DHA are added together to arrive at the total EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids in a given product. For example, if a supplement has 180 mg EPA plus 120 mg DHA per capsule, then the combined mg of EPA/DHA is 300 mg per capsule.

In 1994, Dawn Loga and Gail Kunkle at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study of the effects of EPA/DHA fish oil supplementation in dogs with itchy skin using a dosage comparable to that which has been shown to significantly decrease the symptoms of atopic dermatitis in people. Dogs receiving fish oil supplementation at this dosage for six weeks had significant improvement in haircoat character, itching, and self-trauma. The dosage of combined EPA/DHA fish oil supplementation used in this study was 65 mg/kg per day (approximately 30 mg/lb per day).

I spoke with a board certified veterinary dermatologist at a veterinary meeting that I attended, and he recommended the dosage used in the study by Loga and Kunkle. He said that this dosage has worked well in his clinical experience over the years. Since my discussion with that dermatologist, I have been prescribing a dosage of approximately 65 mg/kg per day EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with allergies. Depending on the dog, I may recommend using a lower dosage at first to make sure that there are no undesirable side effects.

How Long Does It Take For
Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Allergies To Work?

Studies have shown that fatty acid levels in the body reach a steady state within approximately one month of starting oral supplementation. However, maximal response to fatty acid supplementation may not be seen for up to twelve weeks. It is important to bear this in mind and be patient when assessing your dog’s response to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.

I have researched various fish oil supplements available, and I have chosen a select few to feature on my website based on their quality and potency. You can see my recommended supplements on my page entitled High Quality Fish Oil Supplements For Dogs.

An alternative to using fish oil liquid or capsules to provide your dog with therapeutic levels of omega-3 fatty acids is to feed a salmon-based dog food. When feeding a salmon-based diet naturally high in EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, additional supplementation with fish oil liquid or capsules should not be required. I recommend feeding both dry kibble and canned food based on my experience with my golden retriever Savanna. I have noticed that if I run out of canned food for a couple of days, she starts to get itchy again. I assume that this is because the salmon-based canned food that I feed Savanna has a higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids (2.24%) than the dry kibble (1%).

Remember that it may take up to twelve weeks of giving your dog an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or feeding your dog a salmon-based dog food before you notice a significant decrease in your dog’s itching, scratching, and chewing.

Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs with allergies provide a safe, all natural way to decrease inflammation in your dog’s skin and provide relief from the itchiness associated with allergies to environmental allergens.

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This article discusses fun exercise options for your dog other than walking. I discuss walking with your dog in the second part of this three-part series called Walking With Your Dog For Health and Weight Loss. The first article in this series is called Is Your Dog Overweight? How To Develop A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog.

In the first part of this article, I will discuss some innovative exercise options that will provide both you and your dog with a workout. In the second part of this article, I will discuss exercise options for your dog that do not require you to exert yourself. I have also included some very entertaining videos that I am sure you will enjoy. 

Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog
That Enable Both You and Your Dog To Get A Workout 

Canine Musical Freestyle – Dancing With Your Dog 

Sara Carson with Hero dancing to Boogie Shoes

Have you seen videos online of people dancing with their dogs? It is great fun to watch. According to Patie Ventre, founder of the World Canine Freestyle Organization, “Musical Freestyle is a choreographed musical program performed by handlers and their dogs. The object of musical freestyle is to display the dog and handler in a creative, innovative, and original dance. Canine freestyle truly demonstrates the joys and fun of bonding with your pet.”

When I was doing research about canine musical freestyle, I came across a video on YouTube with Sara Carson from The Super Collies dancing with her dog Hero to the song Boogie Shoes. It was so much fun to watch! I reached out to Sara to learn more about canine musical freestyle. I was surprised and pleased to learn from her that dancing with your dog is as easy as teaching your dog some tricks and then putting the tricks together with music. Here are Sara’s answers to some of my questions:

How long did it take you to train Hero to do freestyle?

Canine freestyle is something that happens after teaching your dog a variety of tricks. Once your dog has a larger repertoire of behaviors, you can start to string tricks together and add them to music!

How long did it take you to teach Hero the Boogie Shoes routine?

The Boogie Shoes routine took a few years to master. We filmed three takes before achieving the final footage shown.

Would the average pet parent be able to teach their dog how to do freestyle on their own? Or would they require training to be able to teach their dog how to do freestyle? 

It’s extremely easy to pull off a fun routine with your pup at home. Again, all you have to do is string together a few tricks and add them to music. As long as you and your dog are having fun, you’re doing it right!

Here are Sara and Hero dancing to Boogie Shoes:

Are you excited about the prospect of dancing with your dog? Sara recommends using the trick training techniques taught by Kyra Sundance in her books. Kyra’s book entitled 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog has over eight hundred five star reviews on Amazon.com. Kyra has also written a trick training book geared toward puppies called 51 Puppy Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Puppy. You can purchase Kyra’s books by clicking on the links below:

On Kyra’s website Do More With Your Dog, she has links to free Facebook classes called Dog Tricks Spark Teams. Classes run from the first to the last day of every month. You can join classes in levels ranging from novice to expert.

Tracking

Tracking has been an AKC (American Kennel Club) event since 1947, but it is not as well-known a dog sport as some others. Tracking is based on dogs’ natural ability to detect and follow a scent. Because dogs have such a highly-developed sense of smell, they have been successfully trained to locate such things as drugs, bombs, pipeline leaks, and victims of natural or manmade disasters. Dogs can even detect cancer!

What is a track? It is simply the path a person (the tracklayer) has walked. The path may be through vegetated areas such as grassy fields or over non-vegetated areas. The canine sport of tracking involves training a dog to follow the human scent left in the tracklayer’s footprints to locate articles containing the tracklayer’s scent which have been dropped at certain locations on the track. As dogs improve in their ability to follow the tracks laid, the level of difficulty is increased with turns being added and the track scents being allowed to “age.”

Dogs love to track and they know how to do it instinctively. If you are looking for fun exercise options for your dog, tracking is great fun for your dog as well as great exercise for you. Training a dog to track consists of teaching them to persistently follow the track we want them to follow and not the track of a field mouse, rabbit, or another scent that catches their interest. In the beginning, small food treats are dropped on the track to keep the dog following the tracklayer’s footprints. Eventually, the food treats on the track are phased out.

Time spent tracking with your dog is a great way to bond with your dog while enjoying the outdoors. Any age or breed of dog can be taught to track – from puppies to seniors. You can start by taking a tracking class or you can read the AKC Rules published online and a book on the subject and train your dog by yourself. For starters, I would recommend you read the section on Tracking in the AKC Beginner’s Guide To Companion Events available as a free download online. Two Rivers Agility Club of Sacramento recommends the book Tracking Dog: Theory and Methods by Glen Johnson:

The AKC has a list on its site of dog sports clubs throughout the United States that may offer tracking classes and/or tracking instructors. Even if a club does not specifically state that it is a tracking club, I recommend going to their website to find out what they offer. You can also search online for tracking seminars.

Tracking is an inexpensive sport compared to other dog sports. Very little equipment is required for tracking. You can use an open grassy area in city or state parks, college campuses (on weekends), industrial parks, or roadside fields (with permission from landowners). The equipment you will need is:

• A non-restrictive dog harness.
• A 6-foot leash for initial training.
• A 20 to 40-foot lead.
  According to Denise Nord of Chaos Beagles, round polypropylene or nylon leads are best because they are easy to handle, lightweight, they slip through vegetation, and they do not get heavy when wet. You can also use climbing rope (available at REI).
• Articles for your dog to find when tracking.
  At least one of these items should be an inexpensive brown leather work glove since these are commonly used when dogs are exhibiting for tracking titles. Other items such as wallets, bandanas, or socks can be used but they should not be brightly colored. The AKC Rules state that “all articles will be inconspicuous in color in comparison to the surrounding terrain.”
• Paper, pencil, and clipboard for drawing maps of your tracks.
• Tracking flags.
  You can use surveyor’s flags, irrigation flags, or landscape flags.
• Bright plastic clothespins for corner markers.
• Small treats and water for your dog.

You can track with your dog purely for the enjoyment or you may choose to participate in AKC tracking events so your dog can earn a tracking title. Even dogs that are not purebred dogs can compete for AKC tracking titles by enrollment in AKC Canine Partners for a small fee. A dog must be at least six months old to participate in AKC tracking events.

Before a dog can take an AKC tracking test to earn a tracking title, the dog must pass a certification test. After passing the certification test, the dog’s owner will be given a certification form signed by an AKC-approved judge that must be included with the entry form for a tracking test.

To earn a tracking title, a dog only needs to pass the test for that title one time. A dog can earn four AKC tracking titles that each have different levels of difficulty. The first level is called TD (Tracking Dog) or TDU (Tracking Dog Urban). The TD or TDU title must be achieved before a dog can exhibit for a TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) or VST (Variable Surface Tracker) title. The highest level title is called Champion Tracker (CT). The CT tracking title is only awarded to dogs that have achieved tracking titles at all three tracking levels (TD or TDU, TDX, and VST) prior to exhibiting for the CT title.

Tracking tests are scored simply as Pass or Fail. There are no first, second, or third place awards given. Because of this, the camaraderie at tracking tests is much greater than at other dog sporting events. It is likely that you will make many friends while enjoying this sport with your dog.

My friend Joy Schneider of My GBGV Life was kind enough to provide me with the following video of her tracking with her dog Bailie. Even though the footprints on a snow track are clearly visible, you can see in the video that Bailie is using her nose, not her eyes, to follow the track.

Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog
That Do Not Require You To Exert Yourself

Playing Fetch or Frisbee 

Playing fetch or frisbee with your dog can provide your dog with some great exercise and a lot of fun. If your dog does not know how to play fetch, start off with a small toy or a ball and throw it a short distance. If he or she does not go after that toy, try a different one. When he or she picks up the toy and starts to return to you, praise and encourage him or her. When he or she reaches you, hold out one hand to catch the toy, hold a treat by his or her nose with the other hand, and say “drop it.” When he or she drops the toy or ball into your hand, give him or her the treat and some praise. After a while, you will be able to phase out the treat and reward your dog by throwing the toy or ball again.

Learning how to throw a frisbee so that your dog has a chance of catching it can be challenging. I like to use a soft rubber Kong frisbee when playing with my dog Savanna so it does not hurt her mouth when she catches it. It is probably a good idea to practice throwing a frisbee for a while before you start throwing it for your dog.

Unless you want your dog to jump into the air to catch the frisbee, try to throw the frisbee so that it sails through the air at a level just above your dog’s head. To direct the flight of the frisbee so that your dog can catch it, aim your frisbee throwing hand toward the area that you want the frisbee to go as you release the frisbee.

It is a thrill for both you and your dog when you throw a frisbee and your dog races across the yard and snatches it out of the air! My dog Savanna always does a little celebratory prance around the backyard holding the frisbee in her mouth after she catches it.

Large Balls for Chasing 

Large balls such as the Boomer Ball can provide lots of fun and exercise for dogs. Dogs push the balls around on the ground and have great fun chasing them. Boomer Balls are designed to not be picked up by your dog so you should select a size bigger than your dog can carry. Chasing oversize balls is one of the fun exercise options for your dog that do not require you to exert yourself, but you will enjoy watching your dog have fun.

This video shows a dog enjoying chasing a Boomer Ball around the yard:

Swimming 

Another fun exercise option for your dog is swimming. Swimming is an excellent way for your dog to get aerobic exercise. But do not assume that your dog instinctively knows how to swim. Start him or her off in shallow water no higher than belly deep and keep him or her on a long leash. Get into the water with your dog and praise your dog for venturing into the water. Do not let your dog go into deep water until you are confident that he or she is a strong swimmer. If your dog is hesitant about walking into the water, you can throw a ball or a toy a couple of feet out to encourage him or her.

If you are taking your dog swimming in a lake or the ocean, get him or her a well-fitted canine life vest. If you are taking your dog swimming in a pool, repeatedly show him or her how to find the steps to climb out of the pool until you are confident that your dog knows where the steps are and how to get out of the pool when he or she tires. Never leave your dog unsupervised in the pool.

If you take your dog to the beach, be sure to rinse off his or her paws with clear water at the end of the day to wash off the sand and salt water. And don’t forget to bring fresh water for your dog to drink. Water in lakes, streams, and the ocean can contain bacteria and parasites that you do not want your dog to ingest.

Once your dog is good at swimming, you can throw a ball, toy, or stick out into the water for him or her to fetch. Dogs love this game and it is great exercise for them.

This article is a chapter preview from my book
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy.
Get your copy
on Amazon (e-book or paperback).

To read an excerpt from Chapter 1 of
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy,
please read my article:

The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies:
Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Dog

For more chapter previews, please read my articles:

Walking With Your Dog For Health and Weight Loss

Is Your Dog Overweight? How To Develop
A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog

Ticks On Your Dog:
Bloodsucking Parasites That Can Transmit Serious Diseases

Fleas On Your Dog:
Tiny Parasites That Can Cause Big Problems

******

The post Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Regularly walking with your dog is an easy way to help keep both you and your dog healthy and in shape. If you have not been walking your dog regularly, start out slowly and gradually work your way up to a brisk walk once or twice a day. You can start out with a five-minute walk and then gradually increase the time you spend walking until you are walking a total of thirty minutes each time. Dogs love to go on walks. Regularly walking with your dog will give your dog a lot of pleasure as well as helping him or her to lose weight, if needed.

When you are walking with your dog to help him or her lose weight, it is important to provide sustained aerobic exercise by walking briskly and keeping him or her moving. Before you begin your walk, give your dog time to relieve himself or herself so that he or she will not need to stop during your walk.

If your dog tries to stop and sniff or mark territories during your walk, continue looking straight ahead and keep moving. This should encourage your dog to keep moving with you, but if it does not, you can give your dog a command such as “come.” You can give your dog some time to sniff and explore on the way home after you have finished your brisk walk.

If your dog pulls on the leash by getting too far ahead or behind you, you may need to spend some time training your dog to walk on the leash without pulling before you can get serious about your exercise plan.

My golden retriever Savanna gets very excited about going for walks. She used to surge way ahead of me and start pulling me along. I researched training methods for teaching dogs not to pull on the leash and discovered the training method that I will describe here. I used this training method with my dog Savanna and it worked very well.

Training Your Dog Not To Pull On The Leash

To train your dog not to pull on the leash when you are going on a walk, use a six-foot leash rather than a retractable leash to give yourself more control. The minute your dog starts pulling on the leash, stop walking and stand very still. This will prevent your dog from going further and get his or her attention. When your dog stops pulling on the leash and turns to look at you, tell him or her to “come” to you and then “sit.” After your dog sits, give him or her some praise (and a low calorie treat if desired) and then start walking again.

Your dog will soon realize that every time he or she pulls on the leash, the fun stops. This can be a very effective method to train your dog not to pull on the leash when you are going on a walk. It is very important to be consistent once you start this training and never allow your dog to pull on the leash again. If you allow your dog to pull on the leash sometimes, then he or she will keep pulling because sometimes he or she can get away with it.

Until your dog learns to walk on the leash without pulling, consider your walks training sessions rather than exercise sessions. It may help to tire your dog out before a training session by throwing a ball or frisbee in the backyard for a while right before your walk.

If you do not feel that you can train your dog to stop pulling on the leash when going on a walk, another option is to use a special head halter meant to discourage leash pulling such as the Gentle Leader head halter.

Muttluks Dog Boots

Protect Your Dog’s Feet and Carry Essentials Like Water and Bags

If the ground or pavement where you walk your dog is very hot in the summer or cold in the winter, consider using protective coverings for your dog’s paws such as Muttluks dog boots. Avoid walking during the hottest part of the day when the pavement can burn your dog’s paw pads or walk somewhere that your dog can walk on grass or dirt instead of pavement.

It is always a good idea to carry water with you for both you and your dog. I like to carry a dog water bottle that has an attached water bowl. And, of course, do not forget to carry poop bags and pick up after your dog.

Your Dog Can Provide Motivation For You To Exercise

Walking with your dog has the added benefit of also providing you with exercise. The 2006 People Pet Exercising Together (PPET) study showed that dogs can serve as social support for owners that need encouragement and motivation to exercise regularly. The study demonstrated that dogs provide positive motivation for their owners’ exercise programs as “buddies,” “consistent initiators,” and as sources of joy and pride.

You may have noticed that your dog can be very good at being a “consistent initiator” when it is time for a meal or time for their walk. Sometimes it seems like they can tell time! When the dogs in the PPET study realized that they got to go on a walk at a certain time each day, they sought out their owners and urged them to take them on their walk. The people in the PPET study found that they enjoyed walking with their dogs, and they felt proud of doing something good for the health of their overweight dogs.

Check out my article titled Hiking Or Walking With Your Dog: Free Apps For Active Pet Parents for information on a free app for finding local dog-friendly hiking and walking trails and other free apps for your exercise program.

This article is a chapter preview from my book
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy.
Get your copy
on Amazon (e-book or paperback).

To read an excerpt from Chapter 1 of
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy,
please read my article:

The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies:
Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Dog

For more chapter previews, please read my articles:

Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog

Is Your Dog Overweight? How To Develop
A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog

Ticks On Your Dog:
Bloodsucking Parasites That Can Transmit Serious Diseases

Fleas On Your Dog:
Tiny Parasites That Can Cause Big Problems

******

The post Walking With Your Dog For Health and Weight Loss appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

By Rachele Baker, DVM – It is estimated that approximately 54% of dogs in the United States are either overweight or obese. Although certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to weight problems (including Labrador retrievers, dachshunds, shelties, cocker spaniels, beagles, basset hounds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and cairn terriers), weight problems in dogs are usually the result of the same things that cause people to become overweight, namely, excessive amounts of food and/or insufficient exercise. This article is the first of a three-part series. In this article, I will discuss developing a weight loss plan for your dog to address the problem of excessive food intake. The second article in the series is called Walking With Your Dog For Health and Weight Loss. The third article in the series is Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog and it has some great videos that you do not want to miss!

Factors that increase the risk of weight problems in dogs include receiving table scraps or high fat treats, insufficient exercise, aging (due to decreased metabolic rate), and medical conditions such as arthritis that interfere with the ability to exercise.

Some dogs may have a medical condition that causes them to gain weight such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease). If you suspect that overfeeding or lack of exercise are not contributing to your dog being overweight, then it would be a good idea to have your veterinarian screen your dog for these conditions with some baseline bloodwork prior to starting your dog on a weight loss plan. 

Consequences Of Your Dog Being Overweight 

You may not think that a few extra pounds on your dog are that serious, but excess weight can actually shorten your dog’s life. This was demonstrated in a lifetime study of forty-eight Labrador retrievers that was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. That study found that dogs with an ideal body condition score of 4 or 5 on a 9-point scale lived a median of 1.8 years longer than dogs with a body condition score of 6 or 7 on a 9-point scale.

Dogs that are overweight are at increased risk for many health problems including decreased immunity, heart disease, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, diabetes, hip dysplasia, arthritis, and some forms of cancer.

Excess weight also increases the risk of injuries to bones, joints, and muscles. A study of seven hundred dogs seen at a small animal referral hospital in the UK demonstrated this. That study found that obese dogs of all breeds were at increased risk for intervertebral disc disease (herniated discs).

Obesity is known to be an important risk factor for the development of hip arthritis in people. Keeping your dog at an ideal weight helps to both prevent arthritis and treat arthritis that has already developed. Excess weight in dogs can increase the severity of arthritis since extra body weight puts excessive force on the joints.

Studies have found that when dogs with hip arthritis lose excess weight, they experience a significant improvement in lameness and pain. These studies have shown that as little as 6% to 8% weight loss in overweight dogs can result in a significant decrease in lameness due to arthritis.

How To Determine If Your Dog Is Overweight 

There are two ways that you can estimate your dog’s ideal body weight. The most accurate way is to visually and physically inspect your dog. If your dog has a thick haircoat, it will be easier to determine if your dog is overweight by physical inspection than by visual inspection. First, put your hands on the sides of your dog’s chest and slide your hands over your dog’s ribcage towards your dog’s tail. You should be able to easily feel his or her ribcage. Then look at your dog from above. He or she should have a discernible waist (an hourglass shape). Finally, look at your dog from the side. The abdomen (belly) should incline upwards from the ribcage to the hips. This is called the “abdominal tuck.” The belly should not sag or form a straight line from the ribcage to the hips.

The body condition score graphic on the right illustrates this in more detail. Click here for a larger version of the Dog Body Condition Score illustration that can help you to determine if your dog is overweight, underweight, or at an ideal weight.

If your dog is a purebred, you can also compare your dog’s weight to tables containing the ideal body weights for specific breeds. Click here to see a table entitled Ideal Weight Ranges Of Some Popular Dog Breeds that I compiled from information on the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Association for Pet Obesity Prevention websites.

What Can You Do To Help Your Dog Lose Weight?

Obesity in dogs, as in people, is usually caused by excessive food intake and/or insufficient exercise. The most effective weight loss plans involve increasing activity as well as feeding fewer calories. Helping your dog to achieve and maintain an ideal weight requires a commitment by all members of the household to provide a healthier lifestyle for your dog.

Make sure that everyone in the household understands that you are trying to help your dog lose weight so that your dog will be healthier and live longer. Both the amount and types of treats fed should be appropriate for your dog’s weight loss plan. Your weight loss plan for your dog is not going to succeed if one or more people in the household are feeding your dog extra food or high calorie treats.

If your dog begs for extra food or treats, try substituting low calorie treats or things that he or she enjoys such as playtime or brushing. Begging for food usually has more of a behavioral component than an actual hunger component. Your dog will be happy to receive more attention and playtime.

It is easy to substitute low calorie treats for high calorie treats. Many dogs love fruits and vegetables. And most dogs cannot tell the difference between high calorie dog biscuits and low calorie dog biscuits. Examples of low calorie treats for your dog include:

Apple slices
Banana slices
Baby carrots
Green beans
Melon chunks
Pear slices
Low calorie dog biscuits

It is important to note that the calories that your dog receives from treats should not exceed 10% of his or her total daily calorie intake since most treats do not provide the complete and balanced nutrition that he or she needs.

If you use treats to hide medications or supplements that you give your dog, make sure those treats are also low calorie. Avoid things like hot dogs and cheese which may contain a lot of fat and calories. If you feel that you have to use hot dogs or cheese, look for low fat versions. A very effective way to get your dog to eat medications and supplements is to use a low calorie canned dog food to form small “meatballs” and mix or hide the medications in the canned food “meatballs.”

Fun Feeder Slow Feed Dog Bowl

The weight loss plan for your dog may include feeding a reduced calorie dog food. Reduced calorie dog foods are formulated with greater amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals to compensate for a decrease in the amount of food consumed. These foods are usually low in fat and may contain more fiber to help your dog feel full with a smaller amount of food.

To help decrease your dog begging for food, try using a slow feeder dog bowl or food puzzle toys that make a dog work for his or her food. These will make mealtime last longer and make your dog feel like he or she is getting a larger quantity of food. Here is a link to some slow feeder dog bowls and food puzzle toys.

It may also be helpful to feed your dog three or four small meals a day rather than one or two large meals.

Designing A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog

To develop a weight loss plan for your dog, you will need to:

Determine your dog’s ideal body weight
Determine your dog’s current daily calorie intake
Select an appropriate dog food and treat allowance for your dog
Develop an exercise plan for your dog

Determine your dog’s ideal body weight

The first thing to do when developing a weight loss plan for your dog is to evaluate his or her current body weight and body condition score (BCS) using the Dog Body Condition Score illustration. Each body condition score point greater than 5 on a 9-point scale is equivalent to being 10% overweight.

For example, an 85-pound Labrador retriever that has a body condition score of 7 out of 9 is 20% overweight. His ideal weight is approximately 68 pounds. This is calculated by multiplying 85 pounds by 0.20 (20%) which equals 17. Then subtract 17 pounds from the dog’s current weight of 85 pounds to determine that this dog’s ideal weight is 68 pounds. This is an easy way to determine the weight loss goal for your dog to help your dog achieve a healthy body weight.

Take a “Before” photo of your dog and use a Weight Loss Plan Table such as the one on the left to monitor your dog’s progress. Click here for a larger version of the Dog Weight Loss Plan Table that I created that you can download for your use. I recommend that you document your dog’s progress on the Weight Loss Plan Table every two weeks to help keep you on track and motivated. This will also help you to see when changes to the weight loss plan for your dog are indicated.

Determine your dog’s current daily calorie intake

Write down all the food items that your dog receives on a daily basis including dog foods, table scraps, treats, chews, supplements, foods used to administer medications, and additives to dog food such as gravy, broth, or meat. Decide which treats can be reduced or eliminated from your dog’s diet.

For treats that you want to continue, consider switching to low calorie alternatives. For example, if you add chicken or beef broth to your dog’s dry kibble to add flavor, consider switching to a low fat, low calorie, chicken or beef broth.

Select an appropriate dog food and treat allowance for your dog

Overweight dogs with a body condition score of 6 to 7 on a 9-point scale should be able to lose enough weight by reducing the amount of their current dog food. Dogs that are 10% to 20% above ideal body weight are considered overweight. Dogs that are more than 20% above ideal body weight are considered obese.

Obese dogs will probably require therapeutic weight loss dog food to enable them to lose weight without compromising their nutritional needs. Therapeutic weight loss dog foods are formulated to be high in protein to maintain lean muscle mass during weight loss and moderate in fiber to help dogs feel full even though they are consuming fewer calories.

For a dog that is 10% to 20% overweight, you can continue to feed his or her current dog food but you should reduce the total amount fed by 20%. This is the recommendation of the American Animal Hospital Association as found in their 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.

Treats can be provided but they should not constitute more than 10% of the total daily calories that your dog consumes. Anything that does not provide complete and balanced nutrition such as commercial dog food goes into the “treat” category including table scraps, treats, chews, foods used to administer medications, and additives to your dog’s food such as gravy, broth, or meat.

It is important to use an actual measuring cup to keep track of how much you are feeding your dog. Pay attention to the measurements marked on the measuring cup and measure accurately. Feed a level, measured amount at each meal.

If it is hard for you to regulate the number of treats that you feed your dog, it may help to portion out the daily allotment of treats into a “treat bag” and then stop feeding treats when the bag is empty. Remember, all those calories add up!

If your dog is obese (more than 20% above ideal body weight) or has a medical condition, consult with your veterinarian to select an appropriate therapeutic weight loss dog food for your dog. There are a number of therapeutic weight loss dog foods available by prescription from your veterinarian including Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support, Hill’s Prescription Diet r/d, and Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management. Your veterinarian can help you determine the amount of therapeutic weight loss dog food to feed your dog.

When you are introducing your dog to a new dog food, allow about a one-week period for the transition to avoid causing stomach upset or diarrhea. Before transitioning to the new dog food, determine the total measured amount that you will be feeding at each meal. Then, for the first two days of the transition period, mix one-quarter new dog food with three-quarters old dog food. For the next two days, mix one-half new dog food with one-half old dog food. For the following two days, mix three-quarters new dog food with one-quarter old dog food. Then you can switch exclusively to the new dog food.

The recommended rate of weight loss in dogs is 1–2% per week to reduce the likelihood of rebound weight gain and to avoid the loss of lean muscle. It is important to keep in mind that weight loss will take time. For example, if your dog is 20% overweight and he or she is losing 1% of that weight each week, it will take 20 weeks, or about five months, to safely lose that weight.

Weigh your dog every two weeks and record his or her weight in your Dog Weight Loss Plan Table. You can calculate your dog’s rate of weight loss using this equation:

Divide the number of pounds lost since the last weigh-in by the weight at the last weigh-in. Multiple that number by 100. Then divide the result by the number of weeks since the last weigh-in.

For example, say you have an 85-pound Labrador retriever that has lost 2 pounds in the last two weeks. Now your dog weighs 83 pounds. Here is the calculation:

The number of pounds lost since the last weigh-in was 2 pounds.
The weight at the last weigh-in was 85 pounds.
2 divided by 85 = 0.0235
Multiple that number by 100:
0.0235 x 100 = 2.35
Divide that number by the number of weeks since the last weigh-in:
2.35 divided by 2 weeks = 1.175 (~1.2)

Based on this calculation, your dog lost weight over the last two weeks at the rate of approximately 1.2% per week which is very good.

Documenting your dog’s weight loss every two weeks, as well as calculating his or her rate of weight loss, will help you to determine if changes need to be made in the amount of food or treats fed or if a therapeutic weight loss dog food should be considered.

Finally, it is important to develop an exercise plan as part the weight loss plan for your dog. This will be the topic of my next article in this three-part series.

This article is a chapter preview from my book
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy.
Get your copy
on Amazon (e-book or paperback).

To read an excerpt from Chapter 1 of
Dog Health Care: 7 Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Healthy,
please read my article:

The Best Nutrition For Dogs and Puppies:
Choosing The Best Dog Food For Your Dog

For more chapter previews, please read my articles:

Fun Exercise Options For Your Dog

Walking With Your Dog For Health and Weight Loss

Ticks On Your Dog:
Bloodsucking Parasites That Can Transmit Serious Diseases

Fleas On Your Dog:
Tiny Parasites That Can Cause Big Problems

******

The post Is Your Dog Overweight? How To Develop A Weight Loss Plan For Your Dog appeared first on Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.