When it comes to feeding your dog, it is important to be mindful of their weight to prevent obesity which can lead to various health issues. Fortunately, pet owners are usually more disciplined in controlling their pets’ diets than their own. However, determining the appropriate amount of food to feed your dog and understanding what a healthy weight looks like can be challenging. Many owners unintentionally overfeed their dogs. The dogs may like to eat more than they are supposed to and otherwise develop negative behaviors such as chewing and knawing on furniture.
Emotional eating, also known as stress eating, refers to the act of using food as a means to alleviate negative emotions. The dog may feel lonely, left out and isolated at times, so eating fills in the void whereas nothing else will. It’s a means to an end of sadness for the emotional eater. It provides a mood lift, even if it’s a temporary one. It is crucial to consider the connection between food and emotions in our animal companions for their overall wellbeing. Moods may come and go, but emotional eating will become a habit in the long run regardless of how the dog is feeling.
The phenomenon of eating in response to stress or negative emotions has been extensively studied in both humans and animals by using controlled experimental settings. It has been observed that this behavior, known as stress-induced or emotional eating, effectively reduces any unpleasant emotional experience. This means that, in time, there is a supression of anything sad or unsatisfactory feeling. Eating may or may not feel euphorically wonderful, but it has a powerful effect over negative emotions by providing immediate activity. Standard approaches to addressing obesity in companion animals have largely overlooked this concept and dismissed it as only being a human phenomena.
It is not always the case that every animal consuming more food than necessary will become overweight. This raises the question of why certain animals engage in overeating behavior and others do not, but regardless, some experience weight problems and many do not. If the purpose of overeating is to alleviate stress or negative emotional states, then the conventional approach of simply restricting food intake without addressing the underlying emotional distress may actually worsen the situation. This is because it eliminates one of the animal’s coping mechanisms, potentially exacerbating any emotional distress.
Therefore, it is crucial to consider the emotional well-being of companion animals when managing obesity. Merely focusing on reducing food intake may not be sufficient, as it fails to address any emotional factors contributing to stress-induced or emotional eating. By incorporating strategies that alleviate emotional distress alongside dietary modifications, a more comprehensive and effective approach to managing obesity in companion animals can be achieved. Nonetheless, ensure that the dog has sufficient, fresh water and is drinking enough of it to accompany the food and feel more fulfilled. If all else fails, try switching foods to a special formula or premium product that has better balanced nutrition. And again, the dog may exhibit overindulging behavior without seeming or being actually obese.