The caloric "ins and outs" of dieting for pets
By: Dr. Daniel Eubanks
This is the second of a two-part series on pet weight management. Except where indicated, these comments apply to both dogs and cats.
Last month’s article dealt with the "whys" of pet weight control the consequences of excessive body weight.
Now we will discuss the "hows" of weight control.
First of all, is Pudgy overweight? Sometimes pet owners really aren’t sure.
Normal conformation varies much more with the diversity of dog breeds than it does with people. At your pet’s next annual physical exam, ask the doctor or the technician to comment on the pet’s current weight.
If he’s overweight, by how much? Ask for a target weight goal. Discuss ruling out hormonal causes for obesity, such as hypothyroidism in dogs.
Consider the pet’s lifestyle exclusively indoor couch potato or more like that of an active indoor/outdoor cat?
Next let’s look at the concept of calories in, calories out. It’s simple math.
If the total daily intake exceeds the total daily utilization, the remainder is converted to fat. Note the adjective "total."
This is really a cause and effect relationship that baffles nearly everyone. Frustrated by Pudgy’s weight problem, the owner declares, "I only feed him this much (hand cupped to indicate amount). How can he be so fat?" That’s the left to right, cause-and-effect approach.
Consider reversing the reasoning, right to left or effect and cause. Thus the statement becomes, "Pudgy is fat, and this is how much I’ve been feeding him."
Note the absence of the question mark. It becomes a statement of fact, not a question. It’s the answer to the question. Remember calories in, calories out.
Now that we’ve defined the situation, what can be done? Believe me, this is easier than dieting ourselves. Our diets are effective only to the limits of our willpower. Pets can only eat what we feed them.
Free choice or self-feeding providing unlimited access to dry food is fine for some puppies and kittens. Most adult cats and nearly all adult dogs, however, will not self-regulate their intake, will overindulge and become overweight.
Cut the calorie intake by 25 percent to 30 percent. This is accomplished by reducing the volume of the food or the calorie content of the food or both.
Completely ignore the feeding guide on the back of the bag. I’ve never seen one that was even close. Use your common sense and previous feeding experience to determine how much to feed.
If the volume of regular food being fed already is low, and further reduction could compromise balanced nutrient intake and/or leave the pet ravenously hungry, consider changing the ration to an age-appropriate low-cal food. Most all pet food manufacturers make a reduced calorie formulation.
Descriptive phrases like "fitness," "lite," "less active" usually imply reduced calorie. "Senior" foods are not to be confused with low-calorie foods.
If the volume of food still is so small the pet is simply not satiated, you can add certain foods to increase the bulk without increasing the calories. This is the high-fiber, low-fat concept.
Most dogs love canned "squeaky-clean" cut green beans. An entire 15-ounce can of Del Monte green beans contains only 70 calories! That’s next to nothing!
A 2-ounce Snickers bar contains 300 calories! Yet a half a can of those green beans helps fill the bowl, fills the stomach and tastes good. It’s also inexpensive, clean and simple.
Minimize the amount of canned food. Use only enough to flavor the dry food. Canned food is much higher in fat and lower in fiber. One gram of fat provides more than twice the calories as in one gram or carbohydrate or protein.
Feed two rationed meals daily one morning and one evening. Use a multivitamin and a supplement providing EFAs (essential fatty acids) whenever enforcing a diet.
Use only low-calorie treats. Dogs will usually enjoy string beans, broccoli pieces or carrot slices.
Discuss your pet’s weight and diet with all persons who might sabotage the plan family, neighbors, etc. Everyone must be on the same page.
What about households with multiple pets with differing requirements, i.e. one fat cat, one skinny old cat and one normal cat? This requires supervision at mealtime. Make sure they stick to their own bowl, and fatso doesn’t steal more than his apportioned amount.
Exercise? Certainly. Any diet augmented with exercise will be that much more effective (calories out.)
Intense activity is not necessary and might not even be appropriate. Leash walking can be good for both ends of the leash.
The bottom line, simply put, is this: a disciplined, supervised feeding program can and will produce results. I have seen many dogs lose substantial weight being fed Purina Fit-n-Trim, a little canned dog food, Del Monte green beans and a vitamin.
Now I’m off to apply some of these same principles to myself!

