Dante Carrillo
If you're concerned about your small dog's weight, it's important to consult a veterinarian for advice. They will be able to assess your dog's body condition and determine if they are overweight. If your dog is overweight, it's usually due to a combination of too much food and too little exercise. To help your dog lose weight, you may need to switch to lower-calorie dog food or reduce their portions. It's important to ensure that your dog is still getting all the necessary nutrients. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best food and portion size for your dog. In addition to dietary changes, increasing your dog's exercise can help with weight loss. This could include going for walks, runs, swims, or hikes, or playing games like fetch. Consistency is key when it comes to weight management, so it's important to stick to the plan provided by your veterinarian.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to tell if your dog is overweight | Feel their backbone and ribs. If the spine and ribs are difficult to feel, the dog is overweight. Their stomach should be raised when looking from the side. From above, you should see a "waist", or inward curves, between the back of their rib cage and hips. |
| What to do before starting a diet plan | Consult a veterinarian to determine the severity of your dog's weight problem, how much weight they need to lose, and to devise a weight loss program. |
| Dietary changes | Switch to lower-calorie, diet dog food. |
| Feeding schedule | Feed your dog twice daily or provide multiple smaller meals each day. |
| Portion sizes | The amount of food will depend on your dog's individual circumstances, such as their size and activity levels. Consult a veterinarian to help you decide on portion sizes. |
| Exercise | Increase exercise gradually, especially for older dogs. Start with walks and introduce active games. |
| Treats | Choose low-calorie treats such as carrots, apples, or rice cakes. |
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What You'll Learn
Consult a veterinarian to assess your dog's weight and health
When starting a small dog on a diet, it is important to consult a veterinarian to assess your dog's weight and health. This is because carrying excess weight can be harmful to your dog's health, happiness, and longevity, and can lead to medical issues such as diabetes, pancreatitis, and arthritis.
Veterinary professionals will be able to determine if your dog is overweight through a variety of methods. One way is by using a body condition score (BCS), which is a popular tool used to estimate the amount of fat on the body. BCS is most commonly evaluated on a 9-point scale, with dogs that score in the middle range (4 or 5 out of 9) considered to have a healthy body condition. Dogs scoring 1 to 3 are too thin, while a score of 6 or 7 indicates overweight. Obese dogs typically receive scores of 8 or 9, and morbidly obese dogs may score higher than 9. BCS is determined by examining the ribs, abdomen, and waistline through sight and touch.
Another method veterinarians use is calculating the dog's ideal weight based on body weight and BCS. This method was created by researchers at the University of Liverpool and Royal Canin. By knowing your dog's BCS, you can estimate their ideal weight. For example, a 50-pound dog with a BCS of 5 may have a target weight of 35.7 pounds.
Veterinarians can also advise on the best course of action to help your dog lose weight. They may recommend a specific weight loss program, including dietary changes and exercise routines. It is important to follow their guidance and instructions to ensure your dog loses weight safely and healthily.
Additionally, your veterinarian will be able to provide precise instructions on how much food to feed your dog, taking into account their individual circumstances, such as size and activity levels. They may suggest switching to lower-calorie dog food or reducing the amount of their current food. It is important to ensure your dog is getting the necessary nutrients while on a weight loss program.
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Switch to lower-calorie, diet dog food
When putting your dog on a diet, it's important to consult a veterinarian for advice. They can help you determine the severity of your dog's weight problem, calculate the number of calories your dog needs to lose weight, and devise an individualised weight loss program.
One option for putting your dog on a diet is to switch to lower-calorie, diet dog food. Before choosing a diet dog food, check with your veterinarian to see if they have any recommendations. Look for products approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These products will have a statement on the packaging indicating that they meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, ensuring that your dog receives all the necessary nutrients. Diet dog food is typically labelled for weight loss, with packaging indicating "light" or "lite".
When introducing a new diet to your dog, expect a transition period. For picky dogs or those with a history of gastrointestinal upset, a slower transition over about three weeks is recommended. First, offer small amounts of the new food in a separate bowl. Once your dog is eating the new food, you can mix 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food. If your dog refuses to eat the new diet, consult your veterinary clinic for advice. They may recommend strategies to enhance palatability, such as warming the food or adding a flavour enhancer like FortiFlora®.
It is important to consistently measure the amount of food you are feeding your dog. Using a kitchen gram scale is the preferred method, as it is more accurate and allows for easier adjustments. The food dose will depend on the weight-loss food prescribed, as each has a different energy density. Remember to also pay attention to treats, as these can add extra calories. Consider switching to low-calorie treats, such as small pieces of carrot or cucumber.
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Adjust portion sizes and feeding schedules
Adjusting portion sizes and feeding schedules is a key part of putting your dog on a diet. Firstly, it is important to establish whether your dog is overweight. You can do this by attempting to feel their ribs, backbone and spine. If you cannot feel them, this is a sign that your dog may be overweight. Other signs include a sagging stomach and the absence of an "hourglass" shape when looking at your dog from above. If you are concerned about your dog's weight, it is best to consult a veterinarian. They can determine your dog's ideal weight and advise on portion sizes and a suitable weight loss plan.
Once you have consulted a veterinarian, you can begin to adjust your dog's portion sizes. It is important to weigh their food accurately, using a kitchen gram scale. Measuring cups are not accurate enough and can lead to over or underfeeding. You should also be mindful of any treats you give your dog, as these can add extra calories. Treats should be low calorie, such as a piece of carrot or apple, or taken out of their daily ration.
When it comes to feeding schedules, it is recommended to feed your dog twice daily or provide multiple smaller meals throughout the day. This can help to reduce hunger without exceeding the daily recommended amount of food. You may also want to consider using a slow feeder bowl, which can prevent your dog from eating too quickly. It is also important to stick to a schedule and not leave food out when you are away, as this can make it difficult to control how much your dog is eating.
It is important to note that the amount of food you feed your dog will depend on their individual circumstances, such as their size, breed, age, and activity levels. For example, an older dog may require a different diet to a younger dog, and a small dog will likely require smaller portions than a larger dog. It is always best to seek advice from a veterinarian, who can provide precise instructions and ensure your dog is getting the nutrients they need.
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Increase exercise gradually and safely
Before starting a new fitness plan, consult your vet about the best and safest ways to start getting your dog moving. Once you have a plan in mind, consider which options you and your dog will enjoy. Most dogs love to participate in outdoor activities, like going for a walk, run, swim, or hike.
For an obese dog, it’s best to start slowly and increase exercise gradually once they start losing weight. Be sure you aren't overexerting them, especially if they have a medical condition, and watch for signs of heatstroke. If you opt to run with your dog, keep their age in mind. Young dogs can damage their joints by running repetitively on hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. Many breeders, especially of large breeds, recommend avoiding jogging with puppies on hard surfaces until they are at least 12 months old, and ideally 18. Instead, try free play on grass or another suitably soft surface such as packed sand.
If your dog could use some muscle strengthening, try working on canine conditioning exercises to safely and slowly increase balance and stability. Dog sports are a great way to get moving while building the human-canine bond. For example, agility, which is basically a timed obstacle course, requires you to be able to communicate with your dog via hand signals and body language, and all that zooming through tunnels and over jumps burns plenty of calories.
Remember, weight loss for dogs is mostly about diet. “Weight loss for humans and dogs is 60-70% diet and 30-40% exercise,” according to Ernie Ward, DVM, and founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP).
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Weigh food daily and use a slow feeder bowl
Weighing your dog's food is an important part of a weight-loss plan. It is recommended to use a kitchen gram scale to weigh the food, as it is more accurate than using a measuring cup. This allows for easier adjustments to the amount of food your dog is eating. For example, it is much easier to adjust from 150 grams per day to 135 grams per day than it is to adjust from 1 1/2 cups to 1 1/3 cups per day.
When introducing a new diet to your dog, it is important to allow some time for transition. For picky dogs or those with a history of gastrointestinal (GI) upset, a slower transition over about three weeks might be recommended. First, offer small amounts of the new food in a separate bowl. Once your dog is eating the new food, you can mix 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food.
If your dog refuses to eat the new diet, you should contact your veterinary clinic for advice. They may recommend strategies to enhance palatability, such as warming the food, adding a flavour enhancer, or adding a small amount of chicken or beef broth. However, it is important to consult your veterinary team before making any changes to ensure that any additions are safe and that the weight loss plan considers the calories coming from these items.
Using a slow feeder bowl can help your dog eat at a more manageable pace and reduce the risk of health issues associated with fast eating. These bowls have designs that slow down your dog's ability to gulp down their food, such as raised sections, spirals, bumps, ridges, and rounded spikes. This not only helps to prevent indigestion, gas, vomiting, and unwanted weight gain, but it can also provide mental stimulation for your dog.
The best slow feeder bowl will depend on your dog's breed, size, and habits, as well as whether you are using it for wet or dry food. Some popular options include the Outward Hound Fun Feeder, which features a maze design, and the Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulp bowl, which has a sturdy and solid design.
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Frequently asked questions
You can assess your dog's weight by trying to feel their ribs and backbone—if these are difficult to feel, your dog is likely overweight. You can also look at your dog from the side—if their stomach is sagging, they may be carrying extra weight. From above, you should be able to see a "waist" or inward curves between the back of their rib cage and hips.
Consult your veterinarian for advice on the best food and portion size for your dog. If your vet recommends special diet dog food, look for products approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These products will contain all the necessary nutrients for your dog.
Depending on your dog's individual circumstances, you may want to feed them twice daily or provide multiple smaller meals throughout the day. If you have more than one dog, feed them in separate locations so you can control their food intake.
