Leena Watts
With pet obesity on the rise, it is important to ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight to protect them from disease and ensure they enjoy a long and happy life. Before putting your dog on a strict diet, it is important to know if they are truly overweight. You can do this by checking for belly fat, feeling their ribs through the skin, or checking for an hourglass figure. If you are unsure, your vet can assess your dog's body condition score and advise on a weight loss programme. To put your dog on a strict diet, you should stick to a daily ration of calorie-controlled dog food, with treats making up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake. You should weigh out your dog's food allowance every day and stick to a feeding schedule. It is also important to ensure your dog gets enough exercise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to know 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. A sagging stomach is a sign of extra weight. Looking down at them from above, there should be a "waist," or inward curves, between the back of their rib cage and hips. |
| What to do if your dog is overweight | Consult a vet to rule out underlying medical conditions that could be causing weight gain. The vet can recommend a suitable calorie-controlled dog food and advise on a weight loss program. |
| General tips | Cut back on treats. Feed your dog multiple smaller meals a day. Exercise more. |
| Transitioning to a new food | Transition gradually over 3-4 days to avoid stomach problems. |
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What You'll Learn
Consult a vet to rule out underlying medical conditions
Before putting your dog on a strict diet, it is important to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing their weight gain. While it may seem that reducing their food intake is a straightforward solution, there could be a more complex issue at play.
Vets use a weight guide for dogs called body condition scoring to assess body fat. This scoring system typically ranges from one to nine, with one being extremely thin and nine indicating morbid obesity. A healthy dog will generally have an identifiable waist and you should be able to feel their ribs easily. If you notice your dog has a lot of belly fat, you are unable to feel their ribs, or they don't seem to have an hourglass figure, it's time to schedule an appointment with your vet.
Your vet will be able to screen your dog for any underlying health issues and recommend an appropriate weight loss program if necessary. For example, an underactive thyroid gland is a common cause of weight gain in dogs. Other potential underlying causes of weight gain include hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and intestinal parasites. In some cases, an underlying medical condition, such as cancer, could be the reason for your dog's weight gain.
Additionally, if you are considering a home-cooked diet for your dog, it is important to consult your vet to ensure the diet is nutritionally adequate. Home-cooked meals can be problematic if they do not include all the necessary nutrients, such as calcium, B12, zinc, and magnesium. Your vet can advise you on the best way to transition to a new diet and recommend appropriate calorie-controlled dog food or a customised diet plan.
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Cut back on treats and table scraps
It is very easy to give in to your dog's pleading eyes and feed them treats throughout the day. However, treats are often high in fat, salt, and calories, and can lead to weight gain and health issues. Therefore, it is important to cut back on treats and table scraps.
Firstly, it is important to not fall into the trap of only counting what you put into your dog's feeding bowl towards their daily calorie intake. Many dog owners overlook the calories from treats and snacks, which can soon add up. Treats should come out of your dog's daily ration, not on top of it. You can cut down on treats by buying treats that can be broken in half, offering your dog half a treat each time, or swapping typical dog treats for healthy, low-calorie foods like carrots, green beans, apple slices, or rice cakes. You can also try halving the size of the treats you usually give your dog, as they are more interested in the taste and the process of receiving the treat than the actual size of the treat.
Secondly, it is a good idea to avoid eating in front of your dog and to keep them out of the kitchen while preparing meals. This will reduce the opportunity for your dog to pressure you into sharing your food and dishing out treats. Instead, once you have finished eating or cooking, invite your dog back to be with you and give them some positive attention in the form of pats, cuddles, or play, or reward them with some of their daily food portion.
Finally, if you are giving your dog treats throughout the day, remember to reduce their daily ration of dog food accordingly.
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Switch to a lower-calorie, complete dog food
Before making any changes to your dog's diet, it is important to consult a vet. They can assess your dog's body condition score, which is usually on a scale of 1 to 9, and determine if your dog is overweight or obese. If your dog is overweight, the vet can recommend a suitable, lower-calorie, complete dog food that provides all the essential nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
When choosing a lower-calorie dog food, it is important to read the packaging and follow the feeding guide, which will tell you how much to feed your dog based on their size. However, it is always best to consult your veterinarian for more precise instructions and to ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients. You may be advised to feed your dog a reduced amount of their current food or to switch to a lower-calorie option.
If you are introducing a new food, it is important to do so gradually to avoid stomach problems and to allow your dog to get used to new tastes and textures. Mix the new and old foods, and take at least a week to transition, or longer if your dog has a history of problems with dietary changes or if the new food is very different from the old. For example, if you are switching from a dry, salmon-based food to a wet, chicken-based food, you may need to take more time.
In addition to switching to a lower-calorie, complete dog food, it is important to stick to a strict daily ration of calorie-controlled food, including treats. You can give your dog healthy, low-calorie treats such as carrots, green beans or rice cakes. By monitoring your dog's diet and making these changes, you can help them maintain a healthy weight and improve their overall wellbeing.
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Weigh out food and stick to a strict daily ration
It is important to know if your dog is truly overweight before putting them on a strict diet. You can do this by trying some simple do-it-yourself tests, such as feeling their backbone and ribs. If you can't feel their ribs through the skin, it's likely that your dog is overweight. You can also look at your dog from the side—their stomach should be raised and not sagging. From above, you should be able to see a "waist", or inward curves, between the back of their rib cage and hips.
If your dog is overweight, it's important to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing weight gain, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. Your vet can also recommend a suitable calorie-controlled dog food and advise on portion size.
Once you have the right food, it's important to weigh out your dog's food allowance every day. Measuring by eye can easily lead to overfeeding. You should also ensure that treats come out of their daily ration and not on top of it.
If you're introducing a new food to your dog, do it gradually to avoid stomach problems and to allow your dog to get used to new tastes and textures. You should also create a feeding schedule for your dog, with designated mealtimes. It's recommended to feed your dog twice daily or provide multiple smaller meals each day.
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Increase exercise to burn calories and reduce appetite
Exercise is an important component of a dog's weight loss journey. It helps burn calories and reduces their appetite. It is recommended that dog owners walk their dogs for an hour on weekdays and two hours on weekends.
There are many ways to increase your dog's exercise routine. You can take them for an extra walk or play a game of fetch. Running is a great cardiovascular exercise for dogs and their owners, helping build endurance and burn calories. However, not all dogs are suited for high-impact exercises like running, so it is important to consult your vet before starting any intensive exercises. Swimming is another excellent form of exercise for dogs, providing a full-body workout. Some dog breeds, like the Labrador Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, are natural swimmers.
If you are unable to take your dog outdoors, a treadmill can be a good alternative. Ensure your dog is healthy enough to run for an extended period, and always introduce new exercises gradually to avoid injury and strain.
In addition to structured exercises, you can also increase your dog's activity levels by keeping them active throughout the day. For example, letting them walk off-leash during their regular walk encourages them to run and sprint, increasing their calorie burn. Playing catch or fetch is another way to keep them active, and these games have the added benefit of allowing the dog owner to rest while the dog gets their exercise.
Exercising with your dog has numerous benefits beyond weight loss. It can improve your cardiovascular health, reduce stress levels, and provide mental health benefits for both you and your dog.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few simple tests you can do to check if your dog is overweight. You should be able to easily feel their ribs and distinguish their waist. Their stomach should be raised when looking at them from the side, and you should be able to see an inward curve when looking at them from above. If you are unsure, speak to your vet.
Your vet will be able to recommend a suitable calorie-controlled dog food. Generally, look for a complete food that provides all the essential nutrients your dog needs, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If you are introducing a new food, do it gradually to avoid stomach problems. You can also give your dog healthy treats like carrots, green beans or rice cakes.
Feed your dog twice daily or provide multiple smaller meals each day. You can use a special dog bowl called a slow feeder bowl to prevent your dog from eating too quickly.
