Leena Watts
With pet obesity on the rise in the UK, it is important to ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight to protect them from diseases and help them live a long and happy life. If your dog has belly fat, you can't feel their ribs, or they don't have an hourglass figure, it's time to consider a diet. This involves monitoring their current diet, reducing portion sizes, and cutting back on treats. You should also consult your vet, who can recommend an appropriate calorie-controlled diet and exercise routine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to tell if your dog is overweight | If you can't feel their ribs, they have a potbelly, or they don't have an hourglass figure when viewed from above |
| What to do if your dog is overweight | Consult a vet, who will be able to screen for underlying medical issues and recommend an appropriate diet and exercise routine |
| General weight loss tips | Reduce portion sizes, cut back on treats, feed your dog multiple smaller meals a day, increase exercise, and switch to lower-calorie dog food |
| Transitioning to a new diet | Introduce new food gradually over 3-4 days to avoid stomach problems |
| Treats | No bigger than the nail on your first finger; try crunchy, raw vegetables or rice cakes |
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What You'll Learn
Assessing if your dog is overweight
It is important to assess whether your dog is overweight as obesity can cause serious health issues for your dog, including canine diabetes, heart problems, and arthritis. It can also shorten their life.
If you think your dog might be overweight, it is important to take them to the vet for a comprehensive examination. Your vet will weigh your dog and examine them to check their overall health. They will then let you know if your dog is overweight based on their breed and body shape.
There are also some ways to tell if your dog is overweight at home. One of the simplest ways is to look at your dog's body shape. If your dog is overweight, you may not see a clear waistline, and their chest and stomach may blend together when viewed from the side or from above. Their abdomen should be tucked up and not the same level as their chest.
Another way to tell if your dog is overweight is to feel their ribs. If you can easily feel their ribs without a thick layer of fat covering them, then they are likely at a healthy weight. If you have to press hard to feel their ribs, they are probably overweight.
Additionally, overweight dogs may have lower energy levels and fitness. They may pant or walk slower than normal for dogs of their breed, size, and age.
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Calorie control and portion sizes
Calorie control is key to helping your dog lose weight. It's important to note that around 80% of weight issues in dogs are related to diet, so this is likely to be more important than increasing exercise.
Firstly, you need to establish whether your dog is overweight. If you can't feel their ribs through the skin, they have a potbelly, or they don't have an obvious waist when viewed from above, it's time to think about putting them on a diet. You can also ask your vet for advice on your dog's body condition score, which is usually on a scale of 1-9.
When it comes to calorie control, you should feed your dog according to their ideal weight, not their actual weight. Check the labels of dog food for information on portion size and how much to feed your dog in a day. You can also ask your vet for advice on appropriate calorie-controlled diets for weight loss. It's best to weigh out your dog's food according to the feeding instructions, rather than using a cup or other volume measure.
If you're using a new type of dog food, make sure you transition gradually over a few days to avoid stomach problems. You should also create a feeding schedule for your dog, with designated mealtimes, and stick to it. It's a good idea to feed your dog twice a day or provide multiple smaller meals, as this can reduce hunger. You can also buy a special dog bowl called a slow feeder bowl to prevent your dog from eating too quickly.
Remember, slow and steady is best when it comes to weight loss. Ideally, dogs shouldn't be losing more than 2% of their current body weight per week.
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The importance of exercise
Exercise is an essential part of a dog's life, and it is crucial for maintaining health and preserving youth. Regular physical exercise helps to build trust and confidence in your dog, and it can also ease joint pain. It keeps your dog healthy, both physically and mentally. Even if your dog is contending with a disease, regular and controlled exercise is important. For example, if your dog has arthritis, the endorphins released during exercise can help to alleviate pain.
Regular physical exercise can also reduce the risk of disease, improve biological age, prevent premature ageing and enhance your dog's quality of life. It can also help to jump-start natural gene systems involved in regenerating and maintaining insulin health, helping to reverse insulin resistance and diabetes.
If your dog is not used to exercising, it is important to start slowly and not put them at risk of medical problems or strain their joints. Puppies, for example, should have a few short walks every day, while adult dogs should have between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise per day. The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on its age, breed and health, so it is important to consult your vet for advice.
Exercising with your dog can be a great bonding experience, and it can also help you to lose weight too. Some fun fitness activities to try with your dog include classic games like fetch, where you can do squats, lunges or crunches while you wait for your dog to return the ball.
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Choosing the right food
When choosing dog food, it is important to read the labels and check the feeding guides for information on portion size and how much to feed your dog per day. The amount of food will depend on factors such as your dog's size, breed, age, gender, and activity levels. It is crucial to feed your dog according to their ideal weight, not their current body weight.
If your dog needs to lose weight, consider switching to lower-calorie, diet dog food or reducing the portion size of their current food. You can also try buying a "light" or "lite" diet food, but be sure to follow the feeding instructions on the package. Remember to weigh out the food according to the recommended amount, as it is easy to overfill the scoop.
If you want to transition to a new type of dog food, do so gradually over a few days to avoid upsetting your dog's stomach. A slow transition will help you identify any potential allergies or intolerances to the new food. It is also important to establish a feeding schedule and stick to designated mealtimes. This will help you monitor your dog's food intake and ensure they are getting the proper nutrition.
In addition to commercial dog food, you can also offer healthy treats such as crunchy, raw vegetables like carrots or cucumbers, or even a piece of rice cake. These can be given in small portions as rewards during training or as a special snack. However, it is important to remember that treats should not replace regular meals and should be given in moderation.
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Veterinary advice and support
Veterinary professionals are a great source of advice and support when it comes to putting your dog on a diet. It is recommended that you consult your vet before making any changes to your dog's diet or exercise routine. Your vet will be able to confirm whether your dog is overweight and screen them for any underlying medical issues that could be causing this. For example, in some dogs, an underactive thyroid gland can lead to weight gain.
Your vet will be able to recommend appropriate calorie-controlled diets for weight loss and provide precise instructions on how much to feed. They can also advise on how to transition to a new type of dog food, as dogs are sensitive to dietary changes and their stomachs may react poorly if a new type of food is introduced abruptly. Most vets will recommend a transition diet over 3 to 4 days.
Many vets run free weight control clinics, providing regular check-ups to ensure that the diet is working and that weight loss is not occurring too rapidly. Ideally, dogs shouldn't be losing more than 2% of their current body weight per week.
Your vet can also advise on how to create a feeding schedule and routine for your dog. They can help you determine how many meals your dog should be eating per day, depending on their size and activity levels.
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Frequently asked questions
You can assess your dog's body fat by checking if they have a potbelly, a waist, and if you can feel their ribs. If they have a potbelly, no waist, and their ribs are well-cushioned, they may need to lose weight. Vets use a weight guide called body condition scoring to assess body fat. In a healthy dog, you should be able to feel their ribs and distinguish their waist.
It is recommended to feed your dog to their ideal weight, not their actual body weight. Check the labels of dog food for information on portion size and how much to feed your dog in a day. Divide their daily allowance by the number of meals you plan to give them to ensure they can't overeat. You can also switch to lower-calorie, diet dog food. Consult your vet for advice on the best diet for your dog.
You can help your dog lose weight by reducing their portion sizes, cutting back on treats, and increasing their exercise. You should also stick to a feeding schedule and remove any leftovers after your dog has finished eating.
