The bond between a dog and its owner can be so strong that a loving owner might do things that aren’t healthy for their dog out of a desire to please their pup. For instance: A common way we get overweight dogs is from overfeeding them, whether through putting too much in their bowls or handing out too many treats, because that bond is even stronger when we’re in the act of caring for them. But this might become a problem.

Eighty percent of pet owners believe their pet is at a healthy weight, according to a survey done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). However, a separate APOP survey in 2022 found quite the opposite to be true: 60% of American dogs are overweight or obese.

A dog is considered overweight if they are carrying 10-20% more than their ideal body weight. If they exceed it by more than 20%, they are considered obese. Ideal weight varies by breed, age and other factors but here’s what doesn’t vary: the impact on your dog’s health.

A dog being moderately overweight, not even necessarily obese, has been linked to a shorter lifespan by as much as two years. This should be cause for reflection for all dog lovers.

Overcoming the burden of weight. So, what’s causing this gap between perception and reality? Maybe we’re blinded by love – or maybe we innocently don’t realize what a healthy weight looks like for our dogs. If you’re starting to wonder about your dog’s waistline, your veterinary care team is a great place to turn for advice.

Home checkups. Along with talking to your vet, there are a few easy at-home checks you can do to do get a sense of your dog’s body condition. Start by looking at your dog from the side and above. Behind their ribs, their belly should tuck up slightly toward the back legs, and there should be a visible waist in front of the hips. If the dog’s shape looks more like a tube – straight instead of narrowing slightly – they may be carrying extra pounds. Also, keep an eye out for signs like difficulty walking, getting up from lying down, or moving around comfortably.

The good news is that, even if your dog is overweight, there’s a lot we can do to help our dogs live longer, healthier lives. Multiple long-term studies have found that dogs who stay lean and fit are more active – and can even live up to two years longer.

So, what does that look like in everyday life?

--Nutrition: Stick to a balanced, portion-controlled diet and do not give too many treats.

--Exercise: Make daily walks and playtime a habit – for both of you.

--Routine checkups: Partner with your veterinarian to track progress.

The science of canine weight and fat. Obesity increases the risk of numerous health issues for dogs, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, affects nearly 20 million dogs in the U.S. It can be hard to spot early on, but over time it progresses to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Researchers at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine are now exploring something even deeper:

Could excess weight also reduce the effectiveness of cutting-edge osteoarthritis treatments? Stem cell therapy, which uses cells from fat tissue to reduce inflammation and repair joints, is one of the most exciting developments in regenerative medicine. But in humans, we’ve learned that the fat of overweight individuals produces less effective stem cells. Could the same be true for dogs?

Preliminary findings from 2024 suggest this may be the case. In a study of 26 dogs, researchers observed differences in how stem cells from lean versus obese dogs behaved in the lab. It’s early, but it’s a step toward understanding how obesity affects dogs in ways we didn’t realize – and it reinforces just how important a healthy weight is for both prevention and treatment of joint disease.

As the largest nonprofit funder of canine health research, CHF is dedicated to advancing science that leads to healthier, longer lives for all dogs. To learn more about this project and other impactful research, visit akcchf.org.

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