Tag: Obesity

  • How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

    How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

    Obesity in dogs is a prevalent issue, with approximately 56% of dogs in the United States being classified as overweight or obese. There is a 1 in 2 chance that your pet is in trouble, and it’s time to help your dog lose weight.

    Many pet owners are in disbelief when the veterinarian mentions that their pet may have a weight problem. Years ago, before my days as a pet journalist, I remember being angry at my veterinarian who thought my dog Chloe was too heavy! After all, Chloe was “all muscle”, right?

    How wrong I was. My ignorance led to that sweet pup suffering her entire life. The truth is, she was overweight and that wasn’t fair. I’ve learned some hard lessons along the way! My current dogs are thin and muscular, and my veterinarian is thrilled.

    Here is some information on obesity in dogs, and some effective strategies to help your dog lose weight.

    Help Your Dog Lose Weight

    The Danger of Pet Obesity

    Excess weight in pets can lead to a myriad of health problems including joint pain, diabetes, and heart disease. While some pet owners worry that their furry companions are too thin or don’t eat enough, a larger number should shift their focus to concerns about their pets being overweight and consuming excessive amounts of food.

    Here is a fun fact for you! Lean dogs live 2 years longer on average than overweight dogs!

    A 14-year life span study in Labrador Retrievers showed that when fed to maintain a lean body condition from puppyhood, and throughout life, dogs live better, longer lives.

    Purina Dog Chow Lifetime Feeding Study

    Here are just some of the health conditions overweight dogs are prone to:

    • Joint Strain: Excess weight strains a pet’s joints, leading to discomfort and increasing the risk of conditions like arthritis and mobility issues.
    • Increased Risk of Medical Conditions: Obesity is closely linked to serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues, and hypertension, significantly reducing a pet’s quality of life and potentially shortening its lifespan.
    • Exacerbation of Existing Conditions: Carrying extra weight can exacerbate existing medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, respiratory disorders, and skin conditions, making them more challenging to manage and control.
    • Decreased Energy Levels: Obese pets may experience decreased energy levels and stamina, hindering their ability to engage in physical activity and enjoy a fulfilling life.
    • Reduced Immune Function: Excess weight can weaken a pet’s immune system, making them more susceptible to infections, allergies, and other illnesses.
    • Impaired Digestive Function: Obesity can lead to digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal discomfort, impacting a pet’s overall digestive health and nutrient absorption.

    Dog’s lives are already short as it is. They don’t have time to mess around with obesity-related health problems. Let’s dig in with how to solve this problem, once and for all!

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    How to Tell if a Dog is Fat

    The Purina Body Condition Score is the gold standard for assessing your dog’s weight. The video below is a helpful resource.

    You can download the scoring system HERE.

    Even if you have a “beefy” or “muscular” breed, they should not be round or covered in a layer of fat.

    1. Visual Inspection: Stand above your dog and look down at them. You should be able to see a distinct waistline behind the ribs. If the waist is not visible or if your dog’s abdomen appears rounded or sagging, they may be overweight.
    2. Rib Feel: Gently run your hands along your dog’s ribcage. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing too hard. If you can’t feel the ribs easily, or if there is a thick layer of fat covering them, your dog may be overweight.
    3. Profile View: View your dog from the side while they are standing. Their abdomen should tuck up behind the ribcage, not hang down. If there is a noticeable bulge or if their belly droops, it could indicate excess weight.
    4. Activity Level: Monitor your dog’s energy levels and ability to engage in physical activity. If they tire quickly during walks or playtime, or if they seem less interested in exercise, it could be a sign of excess weight.
    5. Weight Check: Use a scale to regularly weigh your dog and track their weight over time. Your veterinarian can guide you on what constitutes a healthy weight for your dog’s breed and size.
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    Help Your Dog Lose Weight

    If you are ready to help your dog lose weight, start now!

    While you may feel upset that your pet is in this condition, don’t be hard on yourself. Some dogs gain weight incredibly easily, especially if they have been spayed or neutered!

    Consult with Your Veterinarian

    Before embarking on any weight loss plan for your dog, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian. They can assess your dog’s current health status, determine a healthy weight goal, and recommend an appropriate diet and exercise plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

    Your veterinarian can rule out medical causes for your pet’s obesity such as thyroid disease, too.

    Implement a Balanced Diet

    Just like humans, dogs require a balanced diet to maintain a healthy weight. Avoid free-feeding and measure out your dog’s portions according to the feeding guidelines provided by your veterinarian or pet food manufacturer.

    Don’t fall into the marketing and influencer trap of feeding “low carbohydrates” for pet health. This pervasive myth stems from toxic diet culture, and has very little to do with pet obesity!

    This article from Tufts University Petfoodology explains the role of carbohydrates in pet diets.

    If your pet is struggling to lose weight, your vet may recommend a prescription weight loss diet such as Royal Canin Weight Control.

    I recommend sticking to brands that meet WSAVA guidelines, such as Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s Science Diet.

    Monitor Treats and Table Scraps

    Treats and table scraps can quickly add up in calories and contribute to weight gain in dogs. Limit the number of treats you give your dog each day and opt for low-calorie options such as carrots or green beans.

    Avoid feeding your dog table scraps, as these can be high in fat and unhealthy for your dog’s waistline.

    It’s equally important that you don’t replace too much of the balanced diet with unbalanced toppers and veggies! Poor overall nutrition can stall weight loss.

    Increase Physical Activity

    Regular exercise is crucial for helping your dog burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity each day, such as brisk walks and free exploration of fields and outdoor terrain. Be sure to gradually increase the intensity and duration of your dog’s exercise routine to avoid overexertion and injury.

    If your pet is suffering from orthopedic conditions, consider asking your veterinarian for a referral to a canine PT for therapy as well!

    Provide Mental Stimulation

    In addition to physical activity, mental stimulation is important for keeping your dog engaged and preventing boredom-related eating. Invest in puzzle toys, interactive feeders, or training sessions to challenge your dog’s mind and keep them mentally stimulated.

    I love this Kong Wobbler toy, as you can put kibble in it to encourage your dog to move and chase while they eat!

    Monitor Progress and Adjust as Needed

    Track your dog’s weight loss progress regularly and make adjustments to their diet and exercise routine as needed. If your dog is not losing weight at the desired pace, consult with your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and make necessary changes to their weight loss plan.

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    Helping your dog lose weight requires dedication, patience, and consistency. By following these effective strategies and working closely with your veterinarian you can help your furry friend achieve and maintain a healthy weight, leading to a happier and healthier life.

    Remember to approach weight loss for your dog with care and compassion, and always prioritize their well-being above all else.

  • Help! My Dog Is Overweight! How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight in 8 Easy Steps

    Help! My Dog Is Overweight! How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight in 8 Easy Steps

    It can be hard to know exactly how to help your dog lose weight.

    It can also be disheartening and concerning to realize that your beloved pup is overweight, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to help them lose weight. Here are five easy steps to do just that:

    1. Feed High Quality Food – Invest in food that serves the dog in front of you. Marketing scams and deceit in the dog food industry might be leading you to believe you are feeding the right food when you are not.
    2. Monitor and Limit Treats – Treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s diet and should be kept to healthy options like raw fruits or vegetables.
    3. Increase Exercise – Ensure that your pup gets plenty of exercise every day! Take them on regular walks or play games with them to get their heart rate up.
    4. Monitor Portion Sizes – Even if you’re feeding high quality food, it’s still important to monitor portion sizes when reducing weight. Instead of one large meal once a day, try breaking meals into two smaller servings throughout the day.
    5. Feed For the Ideal Weight, NOT the Current Weight- While your pup is trying to lose weight, you should be feeding for their ideal weight. This will ensure they are getting the necessary nutrition and calories needed for a healthy lifestyle.
    6. Provide Meals in Puzzles or Toys- If your pup is a bit of an overeater, try giving them their meals in puzzle or food toys. This will slow down their eating and help them better utilize their energy throughout the day.
    7. Exercise– Include exercise in your pup’s daily routine. Something as simple as a game of fetch can help the pup lose weight and burn some extra energy.
    8. Visit Your Vet – It’s always best to consult your vet before making any changes in your pet’s diet or exercise routine to ensure that what you’re doing is best for your pup’s health needs!

    How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

    Excess weight and obese dogs can cause an abundance of health problems. An overweight dog is prone to arthritis and joint pain, cardiovascular issues, fatigue, diabetes, breathing problems, and even a shortened life expectancy.

    Dog owners all strive for a healthy and happy, active dog. However, they often fail to realize that their pet’s weight could be the difference between just that and a shortened life.

    Your dog’s weight matters. So, knowing how to help your dog lose weight and maintain an ideal body weight is one of the most important things dog owners can learn and practice.

    What Is a Dog’s Ideal Body Weight?

    A healthy weight means something a bit different for each dog. Your dog’s health, however, always depends on them maintaining a lean body mass.

    Approximately 25-30% of the general canine population is obese, with 40-45% of dogs aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than normal.

    Veterinary medicine is very clear about the fact that it is crucial to help your dog maintain their ideal weight and NOT hold excess weight.

    As a matter of fact, “Obesity shortens a dog’s life and makes them more likely to develop disease. It was always accepted that heavy dogs lived a shorter lifespan than lean dogs, usually by 6-12 months”, VCA Hospitals.

    So, we can agree that your dog’s weight matters. But, how do you know if your dog is in need of losing weight in the first place?

    A Dog’s Ideal Body Weight

    Your dog’s ideal weight can typically be calculated based off of their body size. Unfortunately, it can be hard to determine if a dog is overweight simply by looking at them.

    This is why the best gauge for understanding whether or not your pup is within an ideal weight range is to use something known as a Body Condition Score (BCS).

    Use The Body Condition Score to Help Your Dog Stay at The Right Body Weight

    A BCS ranges from 1-9, with 5-7 being the ideal range. Dogs that are close to a 5 are considered too skinny, and dogs on either side of 7 (6 or 8) have an unhealthy amount of fat covering their frame.

    Any score above 8 is obese, and requires immediate attention in order to help your pup lose weight as soon as possible.

    The BCS can be used by a veterinarian to assess your dog’s body condition. It can also be used by an educated pet owner, who is familiar with the anatomy of their pup and knows what a healthy weight for that specific breed looks like.

    Let’s talk about how to use the BCS to determine the difference between overweight dogs, normal dogs, and underweight dogs.

    How to help your dog lose weight
    Body Condition Score from VCA

    How to Use the BCS

    Using your knuckles, you can compare your pup’s body to a scale, which ranges from 1-9.

    For Dogs That Are Too Skinny:

    If all of the ribs are visible and easily felt, then they have a BCS of 1 or 2. If your dog is in this range, it means that their diet needs to be adjusted and their weight should be monitored closely to make sure that they maintain a target weight.

    These dogs are normally active dogs who are eating the right amount of food intake, but burning excess calories.

    Typically, it is very hard to be ‘too skinny’ as a dog, unless of course you are facing a case of malnourishment. On that hand, you can feel relieved knowing as long as you are feeding the proper calorie intake, your dog is likely not underweight.

    For Dogs That Are At A Normal Weight:

    Knowing your pup’s rib coverage is an essential part of understanding their overall health and well-being. With a simple palm down knuckle test, you can get accurate measurements right in the comfort of your own home – no professional weigh-in necessary!

    Plus, tracking this information regularly enables you to easily follow their progress over time for optimal weight loss results.

    If you hold one of your own hands with your palm outward and feel the knuckles with the flats of your other hand, this is the ideal feel for a healthy weight. The ribs should be easily felt with a slight layer of fat covering them. Dogs that have a BCS in between 5-7 are considered to be at their ideal body weight.

    For Dogs That Are Overweight:

    If you can’t feel any ribs and there is no visible sign of ribs by looking at your dog while they are standing up, then your pup has a BCS of 8 or 9. These dogs are likely obese and require immediate attention to help them get back in shape.

    Health Problems Associated with an Obese Dog

    Unfortunately, carrying excess weight has become all too common in dogs. Many dog owners do not understand the catastrophic damage that weight gain can have on their dog.

    Overweight pets can face an abundance of health problems including:

    1. Heart Disease
    2. Diabetes
    3. Arthritis
    4. Difficulty Breathing
    5. Joint Pain
    6. Skin Conditions
    7. High Blood Pressure

    It is important to note that these health problems can be prevented with proper diet and exercise.

    Step 1: Examining The Diet You Feed Your Dog

    You might be surprised to see that the diet you are feeding your dog is actually not the best diet for them.

    If you’d like to help your dog lose weight, you should start by examining the quality and type of food you are providing.

    Have a look at how many calories are in the dry food you are feeding your dog. If your dog consumes an extra cup of food per day and that food is 400-500 calories per day, that could be making a huge difference in them gaining weight.

    Monitor and Limit Treats

    Many pet owners overfeed their pets, leading to excess weight gain and obesity.

    It is easy to give our dog’s people food or high calorie treats without even realizing it.

    Figure Out Your Dog’s Calories

    Speak to your veterinarian about how many calories your dog needs. Then, if you want to give your dog empty calories in the form of treats, you should subtract those extra calories from the total you are giving them of normal food.

    That way, you are still sticking to the feeding guidelines and not going overboard with too many calories.

    Low Calorie Treats

    Depending on how much weight your dog is meant to lose, you might opt for treats with lower calories.

    Vegetables

    Vegetables like baby carrots and green beans can make wonderful treats that won’t put on extra weight for your dog.

    Fun Treats with Fewer Calories

    You can still give your dog fun dog treats.

    Just look for some with fewer calories.

    These are my all time favorite and each treat only has 1 calorie!

    Monitor Portion Size

    If you aren’t measuring out how much food you give your dog each day- you’re making a mistake.

    Use a measuring cup and determine exactly how much your dog needs to eat per day.

    Then, don’t feed more!

    Spread it out throughout the day in small meals so that your dog doesn’t get hungry later in the day.

    You can also fill up some portions of the meals with veggies to keep them full.

    Feed For the Ideal Weight, NOT the Current Weight

    If you follow the feeding guidelines on the bag of kibble, you’re going to want to follow it for the ideal weight and not the current weight.

    That means, if your dog is obese at the moment, you should feed them for the ideal weight.

    If your dog weighs 110 lbs, but your veterinarian suggests that their ideal weight is 100, you should feed them what the recommendation on the bag is for 100 lbs.

    If you feed them for their current size, they will never have the opportunity to lose that weight.

    Make Mealtime Fun

    Your dog will use their brain any time they are given the opportunity.

    So, make meal time fun by scattering their food around the yard or giving them brain games like a slow feeder bowl that makes them work for their dinner.

    Puzzle Feeders: A Fun Food Bowl

    Puzzle Feeders can help to make a dog slow down significantly while eating.

    Instead of gulping their food down in one sitting, your dog will have to figure out how to get the food out of the puzzle feeders.

    This can help make meal time last longer, which in turn will make them feel more full even when they are eating less.

    Freezing Food

    Opt to freeze a portion of the dog food into a Kong toy or food bowl. Again, this will make your dog work for their food, and it will take them longer to eat as the food thaws.

    You can also stuff fun things like green beans or carrots in the Kong toy to make it a fun challenge and get your dog eating more items that will keep them full without the calories.

    Exercise

    Ultimately, if you want to help your dog lose weight, you will have to get them on a weight loss exercise program.

    Most dogs love to be active, so a weight loss program full of exercise is one that they will love.

    Set a Weight Loss Goal

    Just like with a human weight loss program, it is important to set a weight loss goal for your dog’s weight.

    Then, create an exercise plan that can help you achieve this goal with your dog.

    Various Terrains

    Take your dog outside to exercise on as many varieties of terrain as possible.

    Running, walking, and playing on a variety of surfaces can help aid in them losing weight because they will be using different muscles than they are used to.

    Swimming

    Swimming is one of the best ways to help your with their weight loss.

    Swimming is a great low-impact exercise that can help target larger muscle groups.

    It is also a good way to keep your dog cool during the warmer months when exercising outdoors may be too hot for them.

    If your dog doesn’t love to swim, consider signing them up for a water treadmill class at your local rehab center.

    Weight loss is something that is worth the investment with your dog.

    Visit your Veterinarian

    Last, but certainly not least, it is imperative that you speak with your veterinarian about how to help your dog with weight loss.

    Your vet can give you tips on your dog’s weight loss, your dog’s food, if they are in need of a new diet, and the best exercise plan for them.

    Your vet will also be able to tell you if the amount of food that your dog should eat per day needs to be adjusted to achieve the desired weight loss.

    These are all great steps for helping your dog lose weight and live a healthier life.

    By taking all of these steps together, you can help get your pup back in shape and on their way to a healthier life.

    Read more:

  • Male Great Dane Weight: How Much Do Male Great Danes Weigh?

    Male Great Dane Weight: How Much Do Male Great Danes Weigh?

    Have you ever wondered about male Great Dane weight, how much an adult Great Dane will weigh, the average weight of a male Great Dane, or what a healthy weight for large breed dogs is?

    Male Great Dane Weight

    If you have, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be discussing male Great Dane weight and all things related to it.

    The average weight of a full-grown male Great Dane is 120 to 200 pounds. However, there are some individuals that may weigh more or less than this. Generally speaking, the larger the dog, the heavier they will be.

    When it comes to large breed dogs like the Great Dane, their weight can vary greatly based on their height and build. A taller dog with a leaner build is going to weigh less than a shorter, stockier dog.

    MALE GREAT DANE WEIGHT IN GIANT BREED DOGS

    Healthy weight for large breed dogs is often determined by their body condition score (BCS). This is a scoring system that ranges from one to nine, with one being too thin and nine being obese.

    A healthy weight for a male Great Dane would be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, around a four or five on the BCS scale. If your dog is at either end of the spectrum, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about ways to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight, which can impact the lifespan tremendously.

    HOW LONG DO GREAT DANES LIVE?
    HOW TO STOP OVERFEEDING YOUR GREAT DANES

    DETERMINING FACTORS IN SIZE OF A GIANT BREED DOG

    The average weight of a Great Dane depends on sex, height, age and build.

    GREAT DANE BREED SIZE DEPENDS ON GENDER

    There are a few things that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane. The first is sex. Males are typically going to be larger than a female Great Dane dog.

    Males can grow, on average, to be about two to three inches taller than female dogs and can weigh anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds more. This is a significant difference and something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.

    • GREAT DANE ADULT FEMALE WEIGHT: The average weight for giant breeds who are male is 120 to 200 pounds.
    • GREAT DANE ADULT MALE WEIGHT: The average weight for an adult female Great Dane is 100 to 130 pounds. This is a 20 to 30-pound difference from the males of the breed.

    Female dogs are going to be shorter and have a smaller frame than their male counterparts. Female dogs are also going to be much shorter than males.

    HEIGHT OF GREAT DANES DETERMINES DANE GROWTH AND WEIGHT

    Another factor that will affect the average weight of your Gentle Giants is their height.

    The taller the dog, the heavier they are going to be. This is because they have more mass and more bones.

    A Great Dane that is two feet tall is going to weigh more than a Great Dane that is only one foot tall. This is why it is important to know the average weight of your dog so you can be sure they are at a healthy weight.

    THE AGE / WEIGHT CORRELATION OF GREAT DANES

    The last factor that will affect the average weight of a Great Dane is their age. A puppy is going to weigh less than an adult dog. This is because they are still growing and haven’t reached their full size yet. An adult dog is going to be at their full size and weight.

    Great Danes typically reach their adult height at about 24 months old because their growth plates remain open until 2 years.

    However, all throughout the puppy stage and into both male and female adulthood (24 month+) giant dogs will continue to fill out and have ‘Great Dane growth spurts’.

    GENETIC BUILD OF A GREAT DANE

    Every giant dog has a genetic predisposition that they get from their parents. This will affect the size, weight, and build of your dog.

    If you have a male dog breed that is from a smaller line of dogs, he is going to be smaller than a male dog breed that is from a larger line of dogs. This is something you need to take into account when considering the average weight of your dog.

    Backyard breeding has majorly impacted the giant dog breed. Backyard breeders advertise Great Dane dogs as ‘EURO’, claiming that they will sell you a Great Dane puppy that is ‘thicker’ and ‘bigger’ than the average. The word ‘Euro’ is a major red flag.

    EUROPEAN GREAT DANES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS

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    WHAT IS A EURO GREAT DANE?

    Learn about the EURO Dane ↗

    The breed standard for all Great Dane puppies, whether they originate in Europe or America, is strikingly similar.

    THE AMERICAN GREAT DANE BREED STANDARD

    Here, on the Great Dane Club of America, you can view the Great Dane breed standard in America. The American Kennel Club and the National Breed Club outline in detail what a Great Dane is supposed to look like and act like. These standards of a Great Dane dog are built to help the Great Dane live the longest life it can live.

    GREAT DANE LIFESPAN

    Below is an image of the Great Dane dog breed standard in America for both Sire and Bitch (male and female Great Dane). READ MORE ABOUT AMERICAN GREAT DANES HERE.

    Male Great Dane Weight

    EUROPEAN GREAT DANES BREED STANDARD

    Oddly enough, the standard for a Great Dane puppy and adult in America and Europe, looks strikingly similar.

    See below for a photo of the breed standard for Great Danes in Europe.

    Male Great Dane Weight

    EUROPEAN GREAT DANES AND GENETIC HEALTH PROBLEMS

    Backyard breeders are are having a major, negative impact on Great Danes, and other dogs. Breed standard is getting lost, and it is causing MAJOR issues.

    LEARN ABOUT THE BREED STANDARD HERE. ITS REALLY FUN 🙂

    Backyard breeders are trying to sell Great Danes as ‘EURO‘ Great Danes, advertising them as ‘bigger’ Great Dane dogs. A Great Dane puppy should not be sold as a ‘EUROPEAN‘ Great Dane puppy unless it has proven lineage that traces back to Europe.

    The word ‘EURO‘ is a major red flag and is often used by backyard breeders to sell Great Dane puppies that have not been health tested or cleared of genetic defects.

    RED FLAGS FOR BREEDERS

    Backyard breeding has caused an increase in congenital and hereditary health problems in Great Danes, and other dogs. Some of these health problems include:

    1. Hip dysplasia
    2. Elbow dysplasia
    3. Cardiac defects
    4. Autoimmune disease
    5. Degenerative myelopathy
    6. Cancer
    7. Obesity and Overweight Great Danes
    8. Eye issues including Entropion and Ectropion
    9. Shorter Lifespans

    HIP DYSPLASIA IN GREAT DANES
    OSTEOSARCOMA IN GREAT DANES
    WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BAD BREEDER

    The best way to avoid getting a sick Great Dane puppy is to do your research, and buy from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with health clearances for the parents of your Great Dane puppy.

    WHAT MAKES A BREEDER GOOD?
    WHAT WERE GREAT DANES BRED FOR?

    You can also visit the OFA website (offa.org) to look up health clearances for specific dogs.

    When looking for a Great Dane puppy, avoid backyard breeders, and do not buy a Great Dane puppy that is being advertised as a ‘EURO’ Great Dane.

    WHAT IS OFA HEALTH TESTING?

    OBESITY IN GREAT DANES

    One of the biggest problems in the Great Dane breed is obesity.

    130479238 3909610185724275 1078472556990510126 n
    An Underweight Great Dane
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    A Healthy Weight Great Dane
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    An Overweight Great Dane

    Overweight Great Danes struggle from SO many issues, including a shorter life span.

    There is NO competition for who’s Great Dane is biggest! The leaner, skinnier Great Danes are the HEALTHIEST, and least likely to develop conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, cancer, bloat, and others.

    OVERWEIGHT GREAT DANES
    ARTHRITIS IN GREAT DANES
    A BIG DROOPY PROBLEM
    EURO GREAT DANES- IS IT REALLY A BREED OR IS IT JUST FAT?
    WHAT DOES EURO MEAN?
    CAN GREAT DANE PUPPIES BLOAT?

    Male Great Dane Weight

    TO AVOID GETTING AN OBESE GREAT DANE

    The best way to avoid getting an obese Great Dane is to feed them a high quality, breed appropriate diet, do not OVERFEED your Great Dane, make sure they are getting proper Great Dane growth, and to make sure they get plenty of exercise.

    HOW MUCH DOES A GREAT DANE PUPPY WEIGH?

    A Great Dane puppy is usually born weighing between two and four pounds.

    Male Great Dane Weight

    Great Dane puppies grow at different rates, however the top most important thing to note is that the slower a Great Dane puppy grows, the better.

    Fast growth in a Great Dane puppy causes many problems, including but not limited to:

    1. HOD
    2. Panosteitis
    3. Knuckling
    4. Hip dysplasia
    5. Elbow dysplasia
    6. Arthritis
    7. Joint problems
    8. Bone problems
    9. Bad conformation/body pain

    DOES HIP DYSPLASIA IMPACT GREAT DANES?
    ARE HEALTH TESTED GREAT DANES HEALTHIER?

    MANAGING GREAT DANE GROWTH IS CRITICAL

    Great Dane growth is one of the most important things during the critical first 12 months, and entire first 24 months. A Great Dane puppy has growth spurts all the way up until 24 months of age, when its growth plates will close. You can generally tell the health of a Great Dane and its growth by looking at its feet.

    HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR PUPPIES FEET

    KNUCKLING IN GREAT DANES (PUPPIES)

    knuckling 8

    IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?

    Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.

    Knuckling is one of the most important things that can impact Great Dane growth. Unfortunately, when a puppy is between 0-24 months of age, their growth is extremely fragile.

    EXAMINE A GREAT DANE AND ITS FEET

    When pet parents do not monitor Great Dane and its growth very closely, their Great Dane dogs can have something happen called ‘Knuckling‘.

    HOW TO PREVENT KNUCKLING

    Knuckling occurs anytime between about 3 weeks to about 24 months of age. Knuckling happens when rapid growth occurs and a Great Dane’s growth plates have not closed yet.

    SIGNS OF KNUCKLING IN GREAT DANES

    Signs your Great Dane may be knuckling:

    1. Front legs (or back, less commonly) appear to be ‘knuckling’ or ‘bending’ over
    2. Flat feet, splayed feet, hare foot
    3. Paw pads dragging on the ground
    4. Elbow calluses/dragging
    5. Hock sores/dragging
    6. Arched back
    7. Shifting weight from one side to the other often
    8. Abnormal gait or walk
    9. Painful movements, inability to hold their paws correctly

    WHY DOES IT MATTER IF GREAT DANES KNUCKLE

    The first 24 months of a Great Danes life are some of the most important. As the largest dog breed, Great Danes have a lot of growing to do- and they grow quickly.

    When a Great Dane knuckles, it means that their bones are not growing correctly. This can lead to all sorts of problems later on in life. Severe knuckling in a Great Dane can even put too much pressure on a Great Danes bones, impacting the normal Great Dane growth and requiring surgery, permanent implants of metal into the bones, or even amputation.

    READ MORE ABOUT KNUCKLING IN GREAT DANES HERE: KNUCKLING GUIDE

    GREAT DANE GROWTH CHART

    It is important that no male Great Danes, or female Great Dane will fall perfectly into a Great Dane Growth Chart. (READ HERE)

    VISIT THE ULTIMATE GREAT DANE PUPPY PAGE WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF RESOURCES YOU NEED BY CLICKING THIS LINK.

    However, every Great Dane owner likes to have a Great Dane growth chart for their dog’s age so that they can see if their gentle giant is maturing according to the ‘average’ or ‘normal’.

    GREAT DANE FEEDING CHART

    Growth charts should be used as a guide for large dogs, and if your Great Dane doesn’t fall within the Great Dane growth chart, you shouldn’t panic. Instead, you should examine your Great Dane and its body condition, rather than trying to make them fit into a growth and weight chart. Remember, it is almost impossible for a Great Dane to be too small, but very easy for Great Danes to be too big/overweight.

    To view and read more about the growth chart of a Great Dane, including a growth and weight chart for you to print, click here. For more information about feeding a Great Dane, including a feeding chart, click here.

    GREAT DANE GROWTH CHART
    GREAT DANE FEEDING CHART

    If your Great Dane is not falling into the Growth Chart, you should not worry. A growth chart is only meant to be a guide, and there are many factors that can impact a Great Dane’s growth. For example, if your Great Dane is not growing as quickly as the growth chart says he should be, it could simply mean he will be a smaller than average size for his breed, which is perfectly normal.

    Use the weight chart as a resource for your Great Dane dog, not a bible.

    On the other hand, if your Great Dane is growing too quickly, it could be a sign of something more serious, like a rapid growth issue. No weight chart should outweigh the opinion of a Veterinarian. This is a disease that can occur in any large breed dog, and Great Danes are no exception. If you think your Great Dane may have a growth disease, please take him to the vet immediately.

    Click below for resources, including a Weight Chart:

    Birth1-2 lbs
    1 Week2-3 lbs
    2 Weeks3-5 lbs
    3 Weeks4-7 lbs
    1 Month5-8 lbs
    6 Weeks10-20 lbs
    2 Months15-30 lbs
    3 Months25-45 lbs
    4 Months45-65 lbs
    5 Months60-85 lbs
    6 Months65 – 100 lbs
    7 Months70-110 lbs
    8 Months80-120 lbs
    9 Months85-125 lbs
    1 Year95-120 lbs
    ADULT
    Female110-145lbs
    Male135-170lbs

    GREAT DANE GROWTH CHART
    IS MY GREAT DANE TOO SKINNY
    FAT GREAT DANES
    OVERWEIGHT GREAT DANES: ONE OF THE 7 DEADLY SINS OF OWNING A GREAT DANE DOG
    WEIGHT CHART FOR A GREAT DANE DOG

    HOW BIG IS A FEMALE GREAT DANE?

    A female Great Dane will be about 23.0-30.0 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 110-200 pounds when full grown.

    The average weight of a female Great Dane is about 150 pounds, but some can be as small as 110 pounds or as large as 200 pounds.

    Female Great Danes, like males, should be kept at their smallest healthy weight in order to be in optimal adult shape.

    Any excessive adult weight can put extra strain on their joints, causing issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia as they grow into their adult weight.

    Female Great Danes are also more prone to obesity than males, especially after spaying, so be sure to keep an eye on your female’s weight and don’t let her get too heavy.

    WHEN TO SPAY A FEMALE GREAT DANE

    WHAT TO FEED A GREAT DANE DOG

    Feeding a Great Dane dog is one of the biggest priorities that a Great Dane owner should consider. A Great Dane dog requires specific dietary considerations during their typical growth phase (0-24 months) and their subsequent growth stages (24 months plus), as they are different than other breeds in the way that their bodies are formed, grow, and develop.

    GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD

    A Great Dane puppy should be on a large breed puppy food, NOT just a regular puppy food. Great Dane growth is incredibly different than needs than small dogs. Large breed puppy formula will support the typical growth of a Great Dane and allow the growth stages to occur in a healthy, slow manner.

    Puppy kibbles that we recommend for a growing Great Dane:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Resources for Great Dane feeding and Great Dane growth:

    GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
    THINGS YOU MUST KNOW TO FEED YOUR GREAT DANE
    GREAT DANE BLOAT
    SHOULD I FEED GRAIN FREE?
    SHOULD I FEED ADULT OR PUPPY FORMULA?
    MOST COMMON GREAT DANE HEALTH RISKS
    GREAT DANE PUPPY FOOD
    IS MY GREAT DANE KNUCKLING?
    KNUCKLING AND GREAT DANE PUPPIES
    THE BEST DIET FOR A GREAT DANE

    PURCHASE HERE:

    271631 MAIN. AC SS348 V1631149304
    271628 MAIN. AC SS348 V1626396086
    90757 MAIN. AC SS348 V1635866197

    GREAT DANE TEMPERAMENT

    When properly bred, a Great Dane should have a gentle nature and be an affectionate companion.

    Unfortunately, bad breeding practices have led to some Great Danes being bred with aggressive tendencies.

    WHAT IS A BAD BREEDER?

    Great Dane temperament can be a difficult thing to predict, as it is not always clear what sort of temperament a particular dog will have until he or she is fully grown.

    The best way to ensure that you are getting a Great Dane with a good temperament is to get your Great Dane from a reputable breeder who can guarantee that their dogs have been bred for good temperament.

    Some things to look for in a Great Dane with a good temperament:

    1. Even disposition
    2. Calm around other animals and people, including children
    3. Not easily excited or agitated
    4. Gets along well with other dogs
    5. Tolerant of daily things like nail trims, leash walks, vet visits, and car rides

    DO GREAT DANES GET ALONG WITH KIDS?
    ARE GREAT DANES AGGRESSIVE?
    MY GREAT DANE IS AFRAID OF THE CAR
    MY GREAT DANE IS AFRAID OF THE VET
    HOW TO TRIM A GREAT DANE PUPPIES NAILS
    THE BEST NAIL CLIPPERS FOR A GREAT DANE
    WHY IS LEASH TRAINING SO DIFFICULT?

    IS A GREAT DANE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MY FAMILY?

    Adding any dog to your family is a commitment and responsibility. But, getting a Great Dane is an even bigger responsibility because of the size of a Great Dane, the cost of a Great Dane, and the health issues sometimes associated with a Great Dane.

    If you are looking into adding a Great Dane to your family, here are some things that you should consider:

    1. Can you afford a Great Dane?
    2. Are you prepared to deal with potential health issues?
    3. Do you have the time to commit to training and socializing a Great Dane puppy?
    4. Do you have the patience to deal with a dog that may be difficult to potty train?
    5. Do you have the space for a dog that may grow to be over 100 pounds?
    6. Do you have another dog that can handle living with a Great Dane?
    7. Are you prepared to deal with potential damage to your home caused by a large, rambunctious puppy?
    8. Do you understand the grooming needs of a Great Dane?
    9. Do you have the time to commit to walking a Great Dane every day?

    If you are prepared to deal with all of these things, then a Great Dane may be the right choice for your family. But, if you are not sure that you can handle all of these things, then you may want to consider another breed of dog.

    There are many wonderful breeds of dogs out there and each one has its own unique set of needs. Be sure to do your research before adding any dog to your family.

    What other things should I consider before getting a Great Dane? Are there any other breeds that might be a better fit for my family?

    The best way to find out if a Great Dane is the right breed for your family is to talk to other Great Dane owners and get their input. They can tell you what it is really like to live with a Great Dane and help you decide if this is the right breed for you.

    With big Great Dane responsibility, comes HUGE Great Dane love.

    READ MORE:

  • How to Stop Overfeeding Your Dog: 5 Tips & Tricks

    How to Stop Overfeeding Your Dog: 5 Tips & Tricks

    Do you have a hard time knowing how much food to give your dog? Are you afraid of overfeeding them and making them obese? Or are you in the dark about how much food you really should be feeding your dog?

    We are here to help. Chances are, you may actually be OVERFEEDING your dog!

    Is your Great Dane struggling with pickiness and loose stools? Yeah, about that. We’ll cover it, too.

    In this blog post, we will discuss how to use a scale to measure your dog’s food and make sure they are getting the right amount. This is an important step in ensuring their health and wellbeing.

    Using a scale to measure your dog food can also save you money, resolve chronic loose stools, and put pickiness to bed, once and for all.

    Read on, friends!

    Stop Overfeeding Your Dog

    Here is our table of contents. The headings are clickable for navigation!

    Are you overfeeding your dog?

    Step One: Read the Kibble Bag…

    Responsible dog food companies will give you grams per cup and kilocalories per cup measurements right on the bag.

    Every food company will be different!

    BrandKCALS/CUPGrams Per Cup
    Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult337108
    Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken35396

    As you can see here, the actual weight of the food and the nutrition per cup can vary!

    A cup of dog food is not the same as a cup of dog food from a different bag, in other words.

    Pro Tip: this is a good reason to use the food chart on the back of the bag for reference, not necessarily generic Great Dane feeding charts!

    a person putting food on a dog bowl

    Using a Scale to Measure Dog Food

    As an avid baker and home cook, I know that weighing flour, sugar, and butter is the only way to create truly consistent and reliable results.

    My famous chocolate chip cookie recipe (I wish I could share them with you through the screen, they are amazing) is all done on a kitchen scale.

    170g of flour

    150g of brown sugar

    50g of white sugar

    and so on.

    Last week I was scooping massive amounts of kibble into bowls for my Danes and got an idea to weigh it out, instead.

    What I found, shocked me.

    Both my eyeball measurement and my cup-by-cup measurements resulted in significantly more food in the bowl for my dog than when I measured the food on a scale.

    As in, I have been way overfeeding my dogs…and you probably are too!

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    The Experiment

    I used two popular types of large/giant breed kibble for this.

    Royal Canin Giant Breed Adult

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Adult Shredded Chicken

    For each one, I documented the information from the food bag regarding how many grams were in a cup of the food, and how many kilocalories were in a cup as well.

    I took two measurements of each food:

    First: I scooped out a cup using a 1 cup measure, as most of us do, and I weighed it on a food scale.

    Second: I used the scale to measure out exactly one cup of food by weight/grams (according to the data from the bag).

    Then I compared the two results.

    IMG 4253

    Royal Canin Giant Breed

    This kibble has LARGE pieces!

    According to the feeding chart on the bag, my 2-year-old moderately active Great Dane should have 5.5 cups of food each day.

    IMG 4259
    The measuring cup with dog food shown above is measured out the way most of us tend to do it.
    Scooped out and slightly full to make up for the airy space between kibbles.

    Royal Canin says (on the bag) that the Giant Breed Adult food contains:

    108G per 1 Cup. (Thus, 5.5 cups = 594g of food/day)

    I scooped up a single cup of the nuggets the way that most of us tend to do it: a loose scoop with some pieces sticking out (because they are huge and left lots of air between pieces). I weighed them in an empty bowl on the scale.

    The result? 130 grams. Not 108 grams, as a true cup of this should weigh.

    IMG 4261

    Meaning that my single sloppy cup measure was adding 22 EXTRA grams of the food.

    That was just one cup, not all 5. Now, it stands to reason that this is going to ADD UP quickly. ?

    For a dog that should be eating 5.5 cups, that could mean roughly 120 extra grams of food PER DAY!

    120 grams is a whole bonus extra cup of food, in other words. Which, considering that a cup is around 1/5th of the dog’s daily intake requirement, that’s a LOT.

    Not only that, but over the course of the week, my dog would be receiving 7-8 additional cups of calorie-dense food that they likely don’t even need.

    That is more than an entire day’s worth of nutrition added to their weekly diet.

    8 days of food in 7 days. ??

    Have you ever wondered why there are so many obese dogs? We’ve just found a major clue…

    Is My Great Dane Fat?

    The Best Foods For Great Danes

    7 Deadly Health Risks for Overweight Dogs

    30
    An overweight Great Dane

    Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken

    For fun, I did this with a second food.

    1 cup of Pro Plan Large Breed Shredded Chicken kibble should weigh 96 grams.

    I used a measuring cup to pull a scoop out of the bag, taking care to not overfill it.

    Then I weighed it on the scale and…don’t be surprised here, folks:

    110 grams!

    IMG 4257

    This means that every cup I scoop is receiving (average) 14 additional grams of the food.

    For a dog that should receive 6 cups of Pro Plan, that could mean that they are being overfed by 84 grams each day.

    Just like the Royal Canin, an 84-gram daily overage (almost a full cup of food) amounts to roughly 6-7 additional cups of food each week that the dog likely doesn’t actually need.

    IMG 4258

    The Problems with Overfeeding Dogs

    When we overfeed our dogs, we are not loving them. We are slowly killing them.

    We are shortening their life spans, and making them more likely to suffer from a myriad of health problems, including:

    Cancer

    Heart Disease

    High Blood Pressure

    Arthritis & Joint Issues

    Diabetes Mellitus & Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

    ‘Allergies’ and ongoing loose stools

    I’ve outlined some common ones below!

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    Chronic Loose Stools

    Chronic loose stools are a common symptom of overfeeding in Great Danes! When you provide too much nutrition or unbalanced nutrition, it literally goes straight through them.

    A lot of people misdiagnose chronic loose stools as ‘food allergies’ or ‘chicken intolerance’, however, most of the time these are actually related to poor gut health, too much food switching, unbalanced boutique dog foods and you guessed it, overfeeding!

    Veterinarians across the Country cite a massive increase in health problems in dogs, including loose stools, heart problems, and low energy that they attribute to the popularity of untested, poorly formulated boutique dog foods.

    Choose a well-balanced large or giant breed kibble instead, measure the food, and stick with it.

    I recommend the following formulas, which are heavily researched and thoroughly tested, for large and giant breed dogs:

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

    Obesity in Dogs

    Weight gain is common, especially following spay or neuter surgery (which causes your dog’s metabolism to decrease).

    Allowing your dog to pack on the pounds can shorten its lifespan, on average, by about 2 years!

    Being a stocky, oversized ‘Euro’ Great Dane is no excuse for being overweight and heavy, either.

    Great Danes are a lean, muscular, athletic breed and it’s important, for their health and well-being, that we honor that.

    We’ve included some dog weight loss tips below, as well as the following resources:

    Is my Dog Filling Out or Getting Fat?

    Should I feed Grain-Free Food?

    The Health Risks of Obesity in Dogs

    16
    An active, healthy-weight dog

    Over-nutrition and Growth Disorders

    Growth disorders such as Pano (aka growing pains), HOD, flat feet, and knuckling are a direct result of over-nutrition, especially when feeding incorrect, unbalanced foods that have too much calcium or missing nutrients.

    Great Dane puppies, especially young ones, require a LOT of food and for many reasons, we recommend feeding young dogs on a loose free-feeding schedule so that they aren’t underfed. However, as they mature, you should transition to a 2-3x/day feeding schedule.

    You can learn more about this in our Ultimate Great Dane Feeding Chart post!

    Feeding too much of the wrong thing can and will harm them.

    We’ve included a list below of the only appropriate foods to feed a large or giant breed puppy, as well as some resources for understanding why those foods are highly recommended!

    What are WSAVA Guidelines for Dog Food, and Do They Matter?

    What is Ingredient Splitting in Dog Food?

    Is Life’s Abundance a Good Food For My Dog?

    Check out THE GIANT DOG FOOD PROJECT to compare brands and values.

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    THE HELLO DANES GREAT DANE PUPPY RESOURCE PAGE

    Everything you need to know! ↗

    Pickiness

    Many Great Dane owners believe that their dogs have become picky because they are turning their noses up at their food.

    These dogs are most often actually just FULL!

    In the interest of getting them to eat more, people tend to switch foods and start adding toppers and other forms of nutritional bribery.

    The dog learns that if they ignore their food, interesting and fun things come to them.

    “Picky eating” is a bit of a popular myth that is literally caused by humans! It’s ok for a dog to not eat their entire meal.

    Picky dogs are not usually picky, they are literally just training you to give them treats. Many picky dogs are actually overweight and need less food, not more!

    A healthy dog will not let itself starve to death, and if it does? Switching foods isn’t going to help. That’s a dog that needs medical attention.

    Bloat and Gut Health in Dogs

    Is Gentle Giants a Good Dog Food?

    black and brown miniature schnauzer lying on green grass field

    ‘Allergies’

    Once a dog has been sent down the path of ‘picky eating’ where different kibble brands are changed often and treats and toppers are added to encourage eating, their gut health suffers.

    Poor gut health also means being intolerant to the environment and yes, symptoms may then show up indicating that the dog has allergies.

    These symptoms include loose stools, a dry coat, and itching.

    Dogs with lighter coats may be more prone, and some dogs will continue to suffer from environmental allergies no matter what (just like humans). It’s important to set all dogs up for success!

    Some allergies are legitimate and life-threatening to dogs. The ONLY way to diagnose these types of allergies in dogs is to complete a food-trial elimination diet with veterinary supervision.

    Legitimately diagnosed food protein and grain allergies are extremely rare. It’s important to note that blood and saliva tests are inaccurate and often a waste of money.

    Most dogs suffering from allergies are actually experiencing intolerance to environmental allergens, not food!

    PRO TIP: Use a wet towel to gently wipe dander and pollen off your pup daily, and wash their feet to remove irritants.

    Many health issues like this are made worse by constant food switching and the use of untested, poorly formulated boutique diets that lack the correct balance of micro-nutrients and amino acids.

    Stop food switching to “find something that works”, measure the food, and let your dog’s gut health heal!

    We highly recommend Olewo Carrots and Olewo Beets for added fiber and to soothe the tummy, in addition to Fortiflora or Probios Probiotics.

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    OLEWO CARROTS. See them on Amazon HERE.

    Weight Loss Tips for Great Danes

    If your dog needs to lose weight, there are things you can do!

    Vet check? Check!

    If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, it’s important to ask your veterinarian for advice!

    Some dogs have weight problems because of thyroid issues or other medical conditions that can be easily managed with medication or a change in diet.

    Be sure to rule out any possible underlying health issues, including heart problems and thyroid disease, before starting a weight loss plan for your dog.

    Change the diet

    The one time we DO recommend a diet change is when you are not feeding quality food, and when your dog needs to lose weight. The following weight loss formula is recommended for at-home use:

    Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula

    Your veterinarian may also be able to prescribe a diet from Hill’s or Royal Canin that will help your pooch cut the calories. Royal Canin has put together an amazing healthy-weight resource page for dog owners:

    https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/weight

    Measure the food on a scale so that you don’t overfeed!

    Be aware of the fact that many boutique foods use ingredient splitting to make you believe their food is ‘meat first’, when the truth is you may be feeding your dog an expensive bag of ‘human grade peas’.

    It’s no wonder so many dogs are overweight and struggling with low energy!

    What is Ingredient Splitting?

    DCM in Dogs: What You Need to Know

    17 1

    Tread cautiously with toppers

    Toppers and treats can help your dog or they can hurt them.

    Too many can lead to over-nutrition (and thus, obesity).

    Some people say to add green beans or pumpkin to your dog’s bowl to offset some calories; while this can help your dog feel more full, it’s important to keep these toppers to 10% or less of the diet.

    We recommend well-balanced raw food as a healthy, fresh-foods topper.

    Olewo Carrots, Olewo Beets, and Dr. Harvey’s are also fantastic choices for adding wholesome fibers to your dog’s diet; as above, keep these to 5-10% or less of the diet.

    Pro Tip: A little goes a long way! If you are helping your dog lose weight, take it easy on the Dr. Harvey’s.

    1 canine health 1
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    Get ready to move…naturally

    An off-leash dog can burn up to 300 calories in an hour!

    That’s a significant amount! We recommend off-leash training for all large and giant breed dogs, including Great Danes.

    This will allow them to zip, zoom, run, spin, explore and gain enrichment and physical movement that they are not receiving on a leash, long-line, or in a harness.

    With this kind of activity, your dog will be building muscle, shedding fat, and working its brain!

    Many dogs will benefit greatly from receiving their exercise and enrichment this way, however, you must be smart about it.

    Dogs that are extremely aggressive, fearful, timid, or wild need professional help with this, and you should never let your dog off-leash unless you can fully rely on them not to approach people and dogs uninvited.

    E-Collar training and educated ownership is the best way to give your dog this freedom of movement outside of your fenced yard.

    If this isn’t for you, it’s still important to get your dog moving! Talk to your veterinarian about physical therapy, including the use of water treadmills and pools to help your dog burn calories.

    READ MORE:

  • 7 Deadly Risks: Fat Great Danes Face Serious Health Risks

    7 Deadly Risks: Fat Great Danes Face Serious Health Risks

    Overweight and fat Great Danes face serious health risks to their longevity and life.

    Did you know that Great Danes are one of the breeds of dog that are most commonly overweight? A dog’s weight creates MANY issues.

    An overweight Great Dane faces so many medical problems, in fact, that it can lower their entire lifespan.

    Fat Great Danes Face Serious Health Risks: Even Early Death

    Believe it or not, even science says so. A study conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital found that the lifespan of overweight dogs was 2.5 years shorter on average than their peers who maintained a completely normal weight / muscle mass.

    “The correlation between being overweight and reduced lifespan was seen in all 12 breeds, although the magnitude of the reduction differed, ranging from five months for male German Shepherd Dogs to 2 1/2 years for male Yorkshire Terriers.”

    This is a serious health risk for these dogs, and can lead to a number of health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss the health risks associated with obesity in Great Danes, and what you can do to help keep your dog healthy and fit.

    Great Dane Puppies, Food Intake, and Keeping the Perfect Weight

    Congratulations on your new Great Dane puppy!

    Starting now, the first thing you should know as a pet owner is that within a blink of an eye, Great Dane puppies turn into a full grown adult Great Dane. Because they grow SO FAST, it is absolutely crucial that you monitor your puppy Great Dane’s growth.

    Does excess weight matter with my puppy?

    Too much weight gain absolutely matters with your adorable, squishy Great Dane puppy. While your puppy is active and energetic, it is the very time to set them up for proper growth to minimize future health issues.

    Adding too much quick weight gain and unnecessary gained weight adds extreme pressure onto your puppies joints. Large dogs grow rapidly when they are less than 2 years old. If a puppy gains too much weight, it can put strain on their joints and lead to health problems later in life. Below you will see a Great Dane growth chart, but please remember NOT ALL puppies will fit into this chart:

    IDEAL: Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [THIS FORMULA] provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).

    MODERATELY ACCEPTABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth of puppies and maintenance of adult dogs, including growth of large sized dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).

    NOT ACCEPTABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance of adult dogs.

    QUESTIONABLE: [THIS FORMULA] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

    Feeding the right quantity of food and keep track of your Great Danes ribs

    The best way to ensure a healthy weight is to feed your puppy a high-quality dog food that is designed for their stage of life. Puppies need more calories than adult dogs, so they should be fed a food that is high in protein and fat.

    You can also talk to your vet about how much your puppy should eat each day and what the healthy weight ranges are for Great Danes.

    Gentle Giants Dog Food Review

    Monitor every growth spurt with large breed dogs

    Watch your puppies food intake closely and be sure to keep them on an appropriate amount of food. If you choose to ‘free feed’, it is best to measure a day’s worth of food out in the morning, so that you always know how much they are eating.

    Be sure to research which puppy food you would like to give, and do your research EARLY- as it is best for your dog’s health NOT to switch foods often, if at all. If you are looking for our puppy food resources, you can find them here:

    Knuckling in a growing Great Dane puppy

    When your giant breed puppy experiences a large period of growth, watch their joints closely. Knuckling is a huge issue in Great Danes and can be related to feeding the wrong puppy food, giving too many calories or the wrong calories, switching pet food too many times, slippery floors, weak feet, leg muscles or hip bones, etc. If you wonder if your Great Dane is knuckling, be sure to check out some resources here:

    knuckling 8

    IS YOUR GREAT DANE PUPPY KNUCKLING?

    Check out our science-based and constantly growing knuckling resource page.

    The ‘Rib Check’ in a Great Dane

    A Great Dane’s ribs shouldn’t be hidden by too much flesh. You should be able to see the ribs of your Great Dane easily as well as feel them with your fingers and palm of your hand. If you can’t, your dog may be overweight and could benefit from weight loss.

    Conduct the Rib Test

    To check if your great dane is at a healthy weight, place your hands on their rib cage, just behind the last rib bone. You should be able to feel their ribs without too much pressure. If you can’t, your dog may be overweight.

    The last thing you want is for your dog to become too fat! If I can’t see any ribs then try lowering food intake by 5% until body leans out and you are able to feel the ribs of your Great Dane, which implies a more healthy weight.

    Why Did My Great Dane Gain Weight Suddenly?

    Dog’s go through many different phases of life and there could be many reasons why your Great Dane suddenly put on weight.

    Spay / Neuter

    Spaying and Neutering dogs will cause them to gain quickly. This is because when you Spay or Neuter a dog, their metabolism slows down and they no longer need as many calories as they did before the surgery. You should consider waiting to spay / neuter your Great Dane until they are matured at around age 24 months to allow them to maintain a healthy weight and experience each hormonal life stage necessary for a large dog.

    Early Spay or Neuter

    Can early spay or neuter hurt your dog? Check out our blog here.

    Lactation

    Nursing mothers will also gain weight quickly as their bodies prepare for motherhood. This is normal and healthy, but once the puppies are weaned, the mother’s weight should level out.

    Old Age

    As dogs age, their metabolism slows down and they become less active. This can cause them to gain weight even if they are eating the same amount of food as they did when they were younger. If your senior dog has unexpected weight gain, consider joint-friendly activities like swimming.

    mako.thedane2

    How long do Great Danes live? Read more here.

    Inactivity

    If your dog is not getting enough exercise, they may start to gain weight. Dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and sometimes more if they are a high energy Great Dane. There are low impact exercises and activities that are great for a big dog like a Great Dane. Going about their day-to-day without activity even just for a week or two can cause weight gain in a Great Dane.

    Check out our blog about whether or not you should go running with your Great Dane:

    Health Conditions

    There are some health conditions that can cause dogs to gain weight suddenly. These include Cushing’s disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes. If you think your dog may be sick, please take them to the vet for a checkup. Digestive issues can also cause dogs to gain weight, lose weight or have unexplained fluctuation. Worm infestation can cause your dog to have an inability to absorb nutrients.

    Obesity in Great Danes

    Obesity is a serious health concern for dogs of all breeds, but it is especially dangerous for giant breeds like the Great Dane. Obese dogs are at risk for joint problems, respiratory difficulties, diabetes, and other health issues.

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    How to Help Your Adult Great Dane With Weight Loss

    If you have determined that your dog needs to lose weight, do not worry, as there are manageable methods that you can use to help your Great Dane slim down.

    Tip 1: Examine What Dog Food Your Great Dane is Eating

    One of the best ways to help your Great Dane lose weight is to examine the nutrition label of their dog food.

    You should be looking at the calorie content and the amount of fat in the food. Great Danes need special food to keep them healthy. The right kind of cuisine will ensure that your Great Dane’s weight remains stable, his joints don’t GET worse and he grows into an adult who has strong structures with no fractures or problems growing bones! Ingredients actually DO matter when caring for our furry friends properly…

    Click here for what we believe the best food is to feed your dog.

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    Tip 2: Choose What Treats Your Dog Eats Wisely

    One of the easiest ways to help your dog lose weight is to cut back on the number of treats you give them. This doesn’t mean you have to stop giving them treats altogether, but you should limit their treat intake to only a certain amount, and also the RIGHT kind.

    Not all dog treats are created the same. Some dog treats are packed with way more protein and fat than others, and should actually be considered apart of their diet. Otherwise with their meals they are already getting enough food, but then you add more.

    Choosing a healthy diet also means choosing what treats you provide. For your convenience, we put together some of our favorite treats here:

    Tip 3: Speak to a Licensed Veterinarian

    Most dogs who are fed a healthy diet, the right amount of calories and getting adequate exercise, will have slightly visible ribs and muscle development.

    If you notice that your Great Dane seems overweight compared to other dogs, it is time to speak to your veterinarian and get medical advice to make sure there is not an underlying condition.

    Your veterinarian can help you develop a weight-loss plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs that will help them slim down in a healthy way. This may include changes to their diet and/or exercise routine. By seeking pet medical advice you are making sure to get the best plan.

    Tip 4: “My Dog is Too Skinny”

    Something we hear very often when speaking to Great Dane owners is that they have a concern for their skinny Great Dane.

    Don’t get me wrong, some families DO have an underweight Great Dane.

    But, typically, those with a Skinny Great Dane, are those with pre existing conditions, medical ailments, or even parasites etc.

    Are Great Danes Supposed to be Skinny?

    The reason that this is an important topic is because pet obesity has become very… ‘normal’. When we go to the dog park, we generally see many overweight pups. Everywhere we go- pet parents are struggling to keep their dog at a healthy weight.

    The truth is- if you have a skinny Great Dane- you PROBABLY have a ‘Healthy Weight’ Great Dane. Here are some example photos:

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    An Underweight Great Dane
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    A Healthy Weight Great Dane
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    An Overweight Great Dane

    We have seen A LOT of Great Danes, and we have seen VERY FEW, that we could say ‘Your Great Dane is too skinny’.

    But, REALLY… My Great Dane is TOO THIN!

    If you truly believe that your Great Dane is too thin, we have a few suggestions. However, this site does not constitute ‘bulking up’ your Great Dane, just because you want them to be bigger. You should examine both your female and male Great Dane thoroughly, seek veterinary medicine and advice, and understand the ramifications on their joints and health before intentionally causing them to gain weight. It is much easier to gain weight than it is to lose weight. Now, for the suggestions:

    Good Quality Canned Food and Raw Toppers

    Providing a raw topper or good quality canned food will increase your dog’s calories, without having to feed them more kibble. This is a great way to help your dog add weight, without over doing it. For your convenience, here are some raw healthy toppers:

    Add Healthy Fats and Oils

    You can also add healthy fats and oils to your dog’s diet. This is a great way to increase the calories they are taking in, without adding too much volume. Below we will link our favorite fish oils.

    Feed Smaller Meals, and Feed More Often

    You can also try feeding your dog more meals, more often throughout the day, with less food. This will help them feel fuller, without overeating.

    Satin Balls

    You can make your own satin balls, or purchase them. This is a high-calorie food that can help your dog gain weight.

    Final Thoughts: Keep a Healthy Weight and Encourage Weight Gain with Caution

    Keeping your Great Dane thin is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. It is our responsibility to make sure they stay at a healthy weight, so that they can enjoy their lives to the fullest.

    Remember, it is easier to make a dog obese, than it is to make them lose weight. So please use caution when following any of the above suggestions and seek your veterinarian any time you have an issue that might constitute pet medical advice.

    We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be happy to help!

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    The 2 Sided Debate: Great Dane Ear Cropping