How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Pro tip: name your dog “Miles” so you can tell your friends you walk Miles every day
Dogs of all sizes and shapes are cute, but there is something about a pudgy, round, stubby-legged dog that makes people swoon. Unfortunately, the condition of obesity is anything but cute. Dogs suffering from this form of malnutrition are at risk for a variety of diseases including bone and joint pain, respiratory disorders, skin problems, kidney dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances.
If you think your dog has a weight problem, here’s what you can do about it.
Give weight-reducing food at the recommended amounts
When we humans want to lose weight, we don’t just reduce the amount of junk food we snack on--we shift to a healthier diet. The same goes for dogs. Simply reducing the diet they got obese on in the first place is not going to be effective in the long run--it may even be detrimental to their health. By reducing their food intake, you’re not only reducing calorie content, you’re also reducing the amount of proteins, minerals and nutrients they take in. In a well-intentioned attempt to address obesity, owners may inadvertently cause malnutrition.
Instead, change to a diet that is formulated with the goal of weight loss in mind. This kind of food provides fewer calories but still meets the other nutritional requirements of your dog. Special diets have either higher protein content to help increase the proportion of fat loss while maintaining lean body mass, or higher fiber content to help make your dog feel full for longer. It is best to ask your veterinarian what they recommend and how much of it you should be feeding them. And make sure to gradually transition from old to new diet to avoid digestive problems!
For help finding the right food and feeding amounts, try our custom diet recommendations tool and our feeding guide.
Cut down on high-calorie treats
You might think that sneaking a few extra treats to your dog each day isn’t contributing that much to their weight gain, but you’d be surprised. A lot of dog treats (and human table scraps used as dog treats) are high on calories, so a little goes a long way.
But every fur parent can understand how difficult it is to resist those puppy dog eyes and that pleading whine. You can substitute regular treats with carrot sticks, broccoli, or even pieces of ice. Find something that is crunchy, chewy, and low-calorie so you don’t have to feel guilty about withholding treats from your dog. And if they aren’t interested in healthy snacks, try giving them affection and playtime whenever they ask for treats. Quality time spent with their human is a powerful way to make dogs happy, and they may forget they wanted food in the first place.
Make time for regular exercise
Walking your dog every day is a part of responsible pet ownership. If your pup isn’t used to much exercise, you can start small with 5 minutes of three times a day for a week or two. Then gradually increase the time until you can spend 30-45 minutes of walking a day. Each dog has has different exercise requirements, and you can find more specific breed exercise requirements here. This type of activity not only burns fat, but also exposes your dog to new sights and smells. This stimulation helps relieve boredom, which could be contributing to treat-seeking behavior.
Aside from walks, incorporate physical activities whenever you can. You can move their food bowl around so they need to walk around to look for it. You do training sessions that involve walking by your side. You can take time to play fetch or tug-of-war. These small activities, if done consistently over time, can burn calories and stave away problematic behaviors.
If your dog suffers from other medical conditions, ask your veterinarian what is the best form of exercise for them. For example, swimming is a great workout for arthritic dogs.
Be consistent
The single biggest factor to a successful canine weight reduction program is owner compliance. It’s not easy to make all these changes to your lifestyle--there are a lot of things to remember, like extra chores to do, and expensive special food to buy. But if you want to protect your dog from obesity-related disease and give them a better quality of life, you have no choice but to stick to the program.
And just as importantly, you need to make everyone in your household stick to the program too. A good way to get them on board is by discussing the dangers of canine obesity with them. When they understand that it’s for their dog’s own good, then you increase the likelihood that they’ll stop sneaking your dog unhealthy treats.
Another benefit to getting others involved is to allow them ownership of the process. Maybe you can assign your child to do the 5-minute lunch time walk. Maybe you can ask your elderly parents to throw the ball for a game of fetch while you’re out for work.
Should you visit your veterinarian?
Obesity is a medical condition that refers to an overaccumulation of fat in the body, and diagnosing it is not based on sight alone. There are a number of conditions that people may mistake for obesity, including pregnancy, abdominal enlargement, and edema. Having the trained eye of a veterinarian examine your pet will help ensure that you’re addressing the correct problem, especially if you’ve tried a weight loss program already.
Once obesity has been diagnosed, a treatment plan will come next. For this, fur parents will be asked detailed questions on their dog’s feeding history, daily activities, and medical conditions. There may also be tests done to assess any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to obesity or be affected by its treatment, and establish baseline conditions from which a healthy target weight can be determined. With this information, your vet can make a weight reduction plan tailor fit to your dog and your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Obesity in pets is a growing problem, but there is hope when fur parents recognize the dangers that come with it. If you’re reading this article, you’ve already made a small but significant step to helping your dog become healthier. The weight loss journey ahead is not easy, but it’s worth it if it means your dog can live a longer and happier life.
Resources
Brooks, D., Churchill, J., Fein, K., Linder, D., Michel, K. E., Tudor, K., Ward, E., Witzel, A., & American Animal Hospital Association (2014). 2014 AAHA weight management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 50(1), 1–11.
AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats