Every second dog is too fat

Veterinarian explains what healthy eating means for four-legged friends

In Germany, almost every second dog struggles with obesity. This is an alarming development that not only limits the quality of life of four-legged friends, but also significantly affects their health. The trigger is usually a combination of a high-calorie diet, too large portions and a lack of exercise. Many dog ​​owners do not know that commercial feed is often highly processed and contains hidden additives and “empty calories”, i.e. hardly any other vital nutrients apart from energy. In addition, many dogs do not have a sufficiently active lifestyle, which increases weight problems. The consequences for the health and happiness of dogs can be serious: from joint pain to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even a shortened lifespan. Dr. Ciara Clarke, veterinarian at Butternut Box and expert in intestinal health, explains what methods there are for early detection and how a balanced diet with the right portion size can be found to get dogs fit and, above all, happy again.

Berlin. Obesity is no longer just a human problem – it is also increasing in the world of pets. A study by the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich shows that 52 percent of dogs and cats in Germany are overweight or even obese. “The issue goes far beyond an aesthetic problem. Too much weight puts strain on joints, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and can shorten a dog's lifespan by up to two years,” explains Dr. Ciara Clarke, Veterinarian at Butternut Box. In the long term, it primarily affects the quality of life and has a negative impact on activity and mood. But why is it that so many dogs struggle with obesity? The expert and microbiologist knows that the causes are often diverse: “Diet plays a crucial role. Many processed foods contain empty calories and artificial additives. That means a lot of energy without any useful nutrients.” Portion sizes are also often misjudged, and treats quickly add up to a calorie surplus. This is a big problem in an everyday life that does not provide enough activity for many dogs. “Often those affected don’t even realize that their pet is too full, but there is a simple test,” explains Dr. Clarke. She continues: “A simple test is the rib check, which means the ribs should be easy to feel but not visible. The dog should also have a visible waist when viewed from above. When viewed from the side, your stomach should be pulled upwards. These methods can be used to quickly assess whether the dog is at a healthy weight.”

Why portion sizes and meal frequency are so important
A dog's health depends largely on proper feeding. The most important factors are age, weight, breed and activity level. “Puppies need three to four meals a day because they are growing and need a high nutrient intake,” says Dr. Clarke. At the same time, their small stomachs are not yet able to digest large portions at once. For adult dogs, however, according to the expert, dividing them into two meals per day has proven to be effective. This regular feeding helps to ensure a consistent supply of energy and prevent food cravings. Seniors often benefit from two to three smaller meals a day. Since they process the feed more slowly, smaller rations can make digestion easier and reduce the burden on the metabolism. It is particularly important to adjust the portion sizes individually. Dogs with higher energy needs, i.e. active or larger animals, need more calories, while less active four-legged friends need smaller amounts. Regular feeding times also support metabolism and give dogs a solid routine.

Hardly anyone knows what the composition of food is
In addition to the size and frequency of feeding, the right nutrient ratio in meals is just as important for the intestinal expert: “In humans, we have long been looking at a balanced diet with the right combinations of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc. What is important to us applies also for our four-legged friends: A good mix consists of around 50 to 60 percent protein for muscle building, 20 to 30 percent vegetables for fiber and vitamins and ten to 20 percent complex carbohydrates such as Sweet potatoes.” It should also contain enough healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. These promote skin and coat health. Artificial additives and preservatives should be completely avoided, as you wouldn't want to consume them yourself. “Unfortunately, very few people study the list of ingredients and compositions of conventional feed. This can have health consequences,” says Dr. Clarke.

A healthy diet in ten days
If you want to cook for your four-legged friends yourself or are looking for healthy foods on the food ingredients list, you should pay attention to vegetables and fruits such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, broccoli, seedless apples and blueberries. These are ideal for dogs, according to Clarke. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, avocados and chocolate are taboo. It is important that fruit and vegetables are always fed without seeds or stones in order to avoid health risks. Changing food should always be done slowly and gradually. This gently gets a dog's stomach and intestines used to the new food. “At the beginning you can start with a mixing ratio of 25 percent new and 75 percent usual food. This proportion should be increased slowly over a period of seven to ten days to avoid digestive problems,” warns Clarke. Patience is particularly important – especially with sensitive dogs that react sensitively to changes. In such cases, an even slower changeover may make sense, as every dog ​​reacts very differently. In addition, daily exercise, controlled portion sizes and healthy treats help with changing your diet. In order to check progress and keep track, you should check your weight regularly.

The answer lies in the heap
Choosing the right food contributes to the long-term health and well-being of dogs. “Fresh food, like that from Butternut Box, contains high-quality nutrients, no hidden additives and is easy to digest. “So well that the dog can utilize almost all of the nutrients and only excretes very little unused,” explains Clarke. This means that the good ingredients contained in the meals are retained throughout digestion and the nutrients can develop their full effect. “An additional advantage of the high digestibility of fresh feed is smaller, firmer and fewer piles. Fewer unused nutrients means less feces. So you could say: The proof is in the heap.” However, like all fresh products made from food-grade ingredients, this type of food needs to be refrigerated and has a shorter shelf life. Dry and canned food, on the other hand, seems practical and easy to store,” says the expert. “However, it often contains preservatives and artificial additives. The ultra-high temperature processing causes important nutrients to be lost.” Canned food may also contain fillers or gelling agents that affect the quality. Ultimately, the choice of food depends on the needs of the dog, the living conditions and the preferences of the dog's parents.