The Importance of Your Pets Weight

Overweight dogs do not live as long.

Lean dogs will live longer.

I feel like the first one sounds more like a threat, and the second more like a promise. Either, way, though – it’s true on average.

—

While I was in Vet School in 2002, Purina was publishing a study showing that skinnier dogs lived 20% longer than “normal” to fat ones. I think I remember hearing about it. But I was a little busy at the time, so I filed it as things to read up on later…

Now, 17 years into practice, those findings would only confirm what I see and know.

The Purina study paired littermates of the same gender and followed them over a lifetime. One set was allowed to be fed normally – getting that barrel shape Labs are known for – while the other was kept intentionally lean. “Lean” here is a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 3-4, while normal is 5. Most dogs I see fall into the 6-7 categories.

I’m including this chart because I think the most challenging things about discussing a pet’s weight is not just the diet.

It’s making people realize their pet is actually overweight.

I famously had a BCS 9/9 (he was 132 lbs when he should have been about 80-90) come into my practice as a new patient. As I was discussing recommendations with the owner, I said something like, “I know you’ve heard this before, but we really need to do something about his weight.”

She had, in fact, not heard it before.

Her response, “You think he’s overweight?” caught me completely off guard. I thought she was kidding. I may have snickered. She wasn’t kidding.

So many pets are overweight right now that people don’t even realize it. They look like all the other dogs they see. This applies mostly to dogs since we don’t generally see each others’ cats out and about for comparison. In a nutshell, you should be able to easily feel your pet’s ribs without having to push through a bunch of fat; they should have a waist behind their ribs when seen from above, and a “tuck up” behind the ribs when seen from the side.

In the Purina study, the lean dogs lived an average of 18 months longer than their heavier counterparts. And it was a good 18 months. They had lower incidences of painful joints and arthritis and also a lower incidence of cancer. Here’s a link if you want to read more: Purina Life Span Study

18 months. Do you know what most people would give for another 18 months with their beloved dog or cat?

A few years ago I adopted a 7-1/2 year old Mastiff. When I adopted him, I figured he’d be arthritic and old and I’d just give him a few loving years on the couch. But he was vibrant! He went crazy over water from the hose and loved to chase sticks. At 138 lbs I’d say he looked Mastiff-y. But since I’d fallen in love with him before we’d driven 20 miles down the road, I didn’t want just a nice 6-12 months with him. I wanted more.

Of course, if your pet is inexplicably gaining or losing weight, that’s a good reason to go see your veterinarian. Also, if you’re struggling trying to help them lose weight, talk to your vet. We can help.

As for my boy, he’s a slender 107 lbs right now. We hiked a 12-mile trail not too long ago (he’s 10 now). He doesn’t look super skinny because he’s got thick Mastiff fur. But when people pet him they frown and sometimes express concern over how skinny he is.

I just smile. Maybe I already got my extra 18 months. Then again, maybe they’re still to come.