Leena Watts
Putting your dog on a diet is an important step towards ensuring your furry friend lives a long and healthy life. Obesity in dogs can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and even cancer. Before starting your dog on a weight-loss journey, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing weight gain, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. The vet can then advise on a suitable diet and exercise plan, considering your dog's individual needs, breed, and age. This may include switching to a low-calorie, high-fiber, and high-protein diet, as well as gradually reducing portion sizes and increasing physical activity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Consult a veterinarian | Before starting a veterinarian diet or exercise plan, consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing weight gain. The vet can also advise on a healthy body weight, a weight-loss plan, and a target weight. |
| Diet | Reduce portion sizes gradually and use a measuring device to ensure accurate portions. Choose a weight-loss dog food that is higher in protein and fiber and lower in fat and energy density. Avoid table scraps and treats, or opt for low-calorie alternatives. |
| Exercise | Increase daily exercise gradually, aiming for 10–15 minutes twice a day. Try walking, fetch, swimming, hiking, or indoor activities like hide-and-seek. |
| Monitoring | Regularly assess your dog's weight loss progress and health. |
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What You'll Learn
Consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions
Putting your dog on a diet should start with consulting a veterinarian to rule out underlying medical conditions and get advice on a weight loss program. Dogs can suffer from serious health issues due to excess weight or obesity, and it is important to take the process of weight loss seriously.
A veterinarian can assess your dog's current weight and health status and determine if there are any underlying medical conditions causing the weight gain. Some common diseases associated with weight gain include hypothyroidism, low thyroid, and hormone levels, or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease). They can also establish the severity of your dog's weight problem and determine a healthy weight for your dog's breed, age, and size.
In addition to ruling out underlying medical conditions, a veterinarian can help you create a personalized diet and weight loss plan. They can recommend a nutrition plan that addresses your dog's specific needs, such as weight management, sensitive stomachs, or food allergies. A veterinarian can also advise on portion control and provide precise instructions on how much food to feed your dog at each meal. This is especially important if you are considering a home-cooked diet for your dog, as vitamin and mineral mixes designed for home-prepared meals are often required.
It is important to note that a sudden change in your dog's diet can cause diarrhea, so it is recommended to gradually transition to a new diet over a few days. Additionally, weight loss can be challenging for dogs, just as it is for humans, so it is essential to be patient, dedicated, and loving throughout your dog's weight loss journey.
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Gradually reduce portion sizes and feed at specific times
Portion control is a key aspect of helping your dog lose weight. The first step is to determine whether your dog is overweight. You can do this by running your hands along their sides towards their tail. If you can barely feel their ribs under a layer of fat, they are likely overweight. A visual inspection can also be helpful. Look down at them from above. Their body should have an hourglass shape with a slight narrowing behind the ribcage. From the side, their stomach should be tucked up behind the ribcage. If their body has no definition from above or the side, or if their stomach swings or sags, they are probably overweight.
Once you've determined that your dog is overweight, it's important to consult your veterinarian. They can help you design a weight-management plan that includes a clear idea of how much your dog should eat at each meal. Your vet can also recommend the best dog food for your pet's specific needs, which may include a high-protein, high-fibre diet to help your dog feel fuller for longer.
When you have a plan in place, it's important to gradually reduce your dog's portion sizes. This means cutting back on their food a little each day until you reach the appropriate portion size. You can also mix high-fibre, low-calorie food into their regular meals, such as unsalted green beans, lettuce, raw spinach, or canned pumpkin. It's important to use a measuring cup to ensure accuracy and to be vigilant about portion control.
In addition to portion control, it's crucial to feed your dog at specific times. Free-feeding, or leaving food out all day, can lead to weight gain because many dogs don't know how to self-regulate. Instead, feed your dog for a specific time, generally 15 to 30 minutes, and then remove any uneaten food until the next feeding. This helps prevent your dog from eating out of boredom or because the food is still there.
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Incorporate low-calorie, high-fibre foods into their diet
It is important to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. They can help you determine if your dog is a healthy weight, and if not, they can recommend a weight-loss plan. Your vet can also rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your dog's excess weight, such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease).
Once you have the go-ahead from your vet, you can start to incorporate low-calorie, high-fibre foods into your dog's diet. High-fibre foods can help improve your dog's blood sugar levels and reduce digestive issues such as diarrhoea and constipation. They can also help your dog feel fuller for longer, reducing their overall food intake.
High-fibre foods for dogs include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, barley, oatmeal, and supplemental sources like flaxseed or psyllium husk. Some specific examples of low-calorie, high-fibre foods that you can mix into your dog's regular food include:
- Unsalted green beans (fresh, frozen, or canned and thoroughly rinsed)
- Lettuce or raw spinach
- Canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
You can also purchase dog food that is specifically designed for weight loss. These foods typically have a lower energy density, with fewer calories per cup or per 100 grams, while still providing the necessary protein and essential nutrients. It is important to transition your dog to a new diet slowly, blending the new food with the old over 7 to 10 days.
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Increase physical activity with walks, runs, swims, or hikes
Walking your dog is a great way to increase their physical activity and help them lose weight. It is also beneficial for your health, as dog ownership has been linked to improved cardiovascular risk factors, such as lower blood pressure, and can help combat physical inactivity.
Before starting a new exercise routine with your dog, it is important to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your dog's weight gain or could impact their physical activity. For example, deficient thyroid function (hypothyroidism) can undermine energy and stamina, and undiagnosed underlying heart disease can be dangerous. Your veterinarian can help guide your choice of activities and create a conditioning program personalized for your dog, including how long to exercise at one time and how to adapt specific activities to best fit your dog's individual needs.
If your dog is overweight, it is important to increase their physical activity gradually. Start with extra walks and short sessions of activity each day, and slowly work up to more intense or longer activities such as runs or hikes. You can also incorporate games like fetch into their routine, which some dogs may enjoy more than structured walks or runs. Swimming is another great option to help your dog lose weight, but be sure to introduce it gradually as not all dogs are comfortable in the water.
The key to a successful physical activity routine for your dog is consistency. Just like with human fitness programs, steady, progressive conditioning is the best approach. Regular exercise will not only help your dog lose weight but also strengthen your bond and improve their overall health and well-being.
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Avoid table scraps and treats to reduce calorie intake
Table scraps and treats can be very harmful to your dog's health. The high-calorie, high-fat foods that we eat are some of the worst foods for our dogs. For example, just one ounce of cheddar cheese for a 20-pound dog is the caloric equivalent of one and a half hamburgers for a person.
Even if you are careful about what you feed your dog, there is always the potential for an allergic reaction to table scraps. Many human foods contain seasonings and unidentified ingredients that can be harmful to dogs. For example, foods that contain raisins, grapes, chocolate, xylitol (a sugar substitute often found in gum and candies), and onions can be toxic to dogs.
Bones are also potentially hazardous to dogs. Cooking dries out bones, making them more likely to splinter and get stuck in the passages of the digestive tract. This can cause pain and distress to your dog as other items are unable to pass through the narrow passage.
Table scraps can also reinforce begging behaviour. While you might find it cute, your dinner guests may not appreciate your dog hovering over their plates. Your dog might also decide that it's fine to take a bite of food sitting on the table or kitchen counter.
To help manage your dog's appetite and reduce their voluntary food intake, you can talk to your vet about a high-protein diet with a blend of fibres. You can also give your dog single-ingredient treats such as an unsalted egg, a spoonful of natural, salt-free peanut butter, or a bite of fruit or unsalted vegetables.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few simple tests you can do to check if your dog is overweight. First, feel their ribs. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, they are likely overweight. You can also look at your dog from above. If their body has no definition or an hourglass shape, they may be overweight. Their stomach should be tucked up behind the ribcage when viewed from the side.
It is important to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog's diet. They can recommend a weight-loss food that is higher in protein and fibre, and lower in fat and energy density. You can also mix low-calorie, high-fibre foods into your dog's regular food, such as green beans, lettuce, or canned pumpkin.
Consult your veterinarian to determine how much your dog should be eating at each meal. Use a measuring device to ensure portion control and don't leave food out all day. Gradually cut back on portion sizes over a few days, rather than suddenly reducing their food intake.
Most dogs enjoy outdoor activities like walking, running, swimming, or hiking. Start slowly and increase exercise over time. You can also try playing with balls, frisbees, or squeaky toys to get them moving. Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of exercise, twice a day.
Yes, overweight and obese dogs are at a higher risk for health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, breathing problems, and cancer. They may also experience muscle loss, making it more difficult to move around.
