Weight loss foods, yay or nay?

This is a topic that comes up very frequently across dog message boards, which leaves some dog lovers dazed and confused.

Pet obesity is on the rise, with over 55% of all pets being overweight or obese. This isn't a joking matter, especially considering all the risks that excess weight poses. Whats even more startling is that 22% of dog owners with overweight animals do not see a problem and think that their dogs are in shape. So there's a huge issue of ignorance on the part of general population.

Being overweight carries the same risks in animals as it does in humans which include:

1) Diabetes

2)Cancer

3)High Blood pressure

4)Arthritis and other joint issues

5)Heart and respiratory problems

6)Liver and kidney disease

7) Heat intolerance

8)Digestive disorders

9)Decreased immune function

10)Decreased quality and quantity of life

Some think its cute to see a chubby dog waddle around, but the implications of such a lifestyle as far from a laughing matter. We are their primary caretakers and they are our responsibility, its up to us to keep them healthy.

I've had someone tell me once that their poodle would eat when he was anxious or depressed. Yes, you should have seen the look on my face, it was something between disbelief and smirk. I dont know how to say it otherwise, but dogs (and cats for that matter) are not emotional eaters. They do not eat for the same reasons we do, so as much as we'd like to attribute human qualities to our pets, when it comes to diet, Snoopy isn't going to reach in the freezer and grab a pint of rocky road ice cream just because a season of desperate housewives has ended.

Yes, we all are probably familiar with sad pleading eyes, begging for table scraps at every meal, but again, dogs will almost always beg, and they would probably keep on eating until they explode. That's just the ancestral woolfy habit. Since canids are opportunistic carnivores, they'll consume as much food as possible in one sitting because they simply don't know when or even if their next meal will come.

Modern dogs don't travel 50 miles a day tracking their prey or live in harsh climates which requires more calories to stay warm. So, we have to be considerate of our and their lifestyle when deciding on feeding options.

So back to the original topic, What do feed your pet if he's overweight or obese?

Just like in human industry, pet food industry if filled with fad diets, portion packs, calorie restricted snacks, etc. As a whole, our society is very lazy and it makes sense to market these things which appeal to people who are looking for an easy fix. But just like in human nutrition, there is no magic pill for weight loss if you want lasting results without compromising your health.

Majority of weight loss foods for pets work on the premise of calorie restriction/fat reduction. The main problem is that its pretty darn hard to reduce fat without reducing meat protein.

Lets take a look at one of the mainstream foods: Science diet adult light

Whole Grain Corn, Soybean Mill Run, Chicken By-Product Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Flaxseed, Caramel Color, Iodized Salt, L-Lysine, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.

Terrible ingredients aside, this food is 24% protein, 8.9% fat, and 12.4% fiber. Which makes it nearly 50% carbohydrates.

24% protein vs 50% carbs? see a problem there? Not to mention with this food majority of the protein comes from corn, which is a low quality, GMO, low biological value plant protein and is absolutely inferior to meat.

Biologically dogs have zero requirements for carbs, with that said, I have no problem if someone feeds a food that is meat based with small inclusion of grain. When processed, grains offer a source of energy. Granted, its not as good as meat, but it helps to keep pet food affordable to the general public.

Grains(along with potatoes and some legumes) are a high glycemic foods which create spikes in blood sugar levels and can lead to diabetes which incidentally is the result of obesity and feeding poor quality food.

Another main ingredient is weight loss food is fiber. It acts as a filler and fools the body into thinking that its satisfied which in return slowly starves the animal into weight loss. Not only is this counter-productive, but it can be downright dangerous since the body will try to use up any source of energy, and after consuming the fat, muscles are next in line. Last thing you want is a dog or cat with muscle dystrophy or weakness. They need those muscles for exercising and keeping weight at bay.

Feeding high protein will keep them full and happy without the need for high fiber content.

According to Dr. Ernie Ward

The biggest cause of the pet obesity epidemic? “Carbs. Today’s pets consume high carbohydrate and sugar treats and foods that create changes in their brain chemistry, causing them to crave these foods even more. I call it ‘kibble crack’ because we’re literally creating an addiction to these high-calorie carbohydrate foods.” replies Ward.
What’s the cure? “Everyone wants a magic pill for losing weight when the safest, cheapest and easiest cure already exists: eat less, eat healthier and exercise. Put down the biscuit and pick up a carrot; instead of feeding your cat a carbohydrate-based diet, look for a high-protein alternative. Take your dog for a walk each day. Small steps go a long way toward big weight losses.”

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/half-pets-overweight

What happens with carbohydrates is that in small quantities they can be used up for energy prior to protein/fat, but in excess amount such as pet food, they are stored as fat.

http://rawfed.com/myths/carbs.html

Another issue is the source of protein. Plant protein is inferior to meat protein because it does not have a complete amino acid profile, meaning that a lot of key nutrients that are responsive for normal bodily functions are absent. The way that pet food companies make up for the lack of those amino acids is by including low quality meat by-products. Since there's no way of knowing what exactly goes into byproducts, it could include anything even diseased animals.

Many of the amino acids are necessary for proper metabolism as well as building and retaining muscle mass, with plant protein missing those key nutrients, its evident why so many animals in less then stellar shape.

So what should I be feeding you may ask?

First of all, I would take your pet to the vet to make sure there isn't an underlying medical condition which can result in weight gain. I would also run a complete blood panel and check thyroid, liver and kidney function. With elderly pets that have compromised kidneys, feeding high protein food can be detrimental.

If you dog or cat is overweight:

1) strive for a higher protein, meat based, low carb food. If there are carb sources present, look for low glycemic carbs such as chickpeas or even barley. Feed at least 28% protein and 15% fat.

I personally prefer to feed anywhere from 28-36% protein, my dog didnt do too well on super high protein, but every animal is different. So who's to say it wont work for you.

2) Use a measuring cup when feeding, not just a random plastic cup that you got from a convenience store. Be careful of the guidelines listed on the bag, in my experience, they tend to be over exaggerated, but adjust based on your pets individual metabolism and energy use.

3) Exercise, exercise, exercise! Having a backyard does not equate to exercise, even if you have more then one dog. Most dogs do not spend a whole day playing and running around the yard, they get bored of it. If you want to see results, you need to include some form of aerobic exercise, whether its speed walking, running, swimming, playing fetch, biking, hiking, etc. The possibilities are endless. Start out by committing to at least 25 mins of walking a day, then slowly increase the time and intensity(this will vary on individual pet, age, health issues, etc)

Combining those 3 factors, you should be able to see positive results as the time progresses. If you get into the rut or you get to a point where the weight wont budge. Adjust accordingly whether it means reducing the food or increasing exercise (or both) and go from there.

For more information please check out dogaware.com

http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjweightloss.html as well as

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/

Good luck!