Understanding Your Dog's Metabolism

Have you ever been told by your veterinarian that your dog needs to lose some weight? Some pet parents count the calories, cut out treats and increase exercise only to watch the scale move the wrong way. Just like in humans, a dog's metabolism can be too slow, sabotaging your weight loss efforts for your pup.

Wondering how your dog's metabolism works? Here are the basics of weight management for dogs.

The Metabolic Process

Metabolism is the body's complex process of converting food into usable energy. This process involves the interaction of the digestive system, the endocrine system, the muscles and the nervous system. Even if you are just sleeping or sitting on the couch watching TV, your body needs energy to power your ability to breathe, pump blood and digest. Did you know that 5 to 15 percent of the energy you expend every day, according to Discover Magazine, goes toward digesting the food you just ate?

The number of calories needed to power all these background functions is called the basal metabolic rate, or resting energy requirement. When you add in physical activity, the body's caloric requirement goes up. Your dog's metabolism works the same way.

Aging and Changes to Dog Metabolism

There are many factors that can affect a dog's metabolism. As dogs age, their amount of muscle mass tends to slowly decrease. If an older dog has osteoarthritis that makes it painful for them to walk or run, then he may exercise less, which can also contribute to muscle loss. Muscles are the main driver of metabolism — healthy, strong muscles are necessary to keep up a healthy metabolic rate. If a dog isn't burning as many calories, it then makes it easier for older dogs to pack on the pounds.

While obesity doesn't specifically lower a dog's metabolism, canine obesity is a big problem across the globe. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 56 percent of U.S. dogs are overweight. Obesity combined with muscle loss can lead to a lowered metabolic rate that will require your vet's help to correct.

Other Factors

Dog metabolism can also be affected by hormonal disorders. Cushing's disease affects the pituitary and adrenal glands and causes elevated levels of the hormone cortisol, according to PetCareRx. Dogs with Cushing's disease tend to have an increased appetite and a lower metabolic rate, making it difficult to help them lose weight without treatment.

Hypothyroidism is another hormonal disorder that lowers the metabolic rate. Just like dogs with Cushing's, hypothyroid dogs tend to be overweight. Hypothyroid dogs, however, often gain weight despite having a regular or decreased appetite.

Genetics also plays a role in your dog's overall metabolic rate just as it does in humans. Dogs that are predisposed to slower metabolic rates will have a harder time burning off the calories that they intake, which means treats and table scraps can pack on serious pounds, possibly causing a host of other health concerns for your pup. Your dog's metabolic rate can simply be passed down from your dog's parent's similar to genetic diseases can. Genetics also are a factor when combined with your dog's breed. It's important to talk to your veterinarian to understand the weight level your dog should be at in order to know how to best maintain a healthy weight and metabolism.