One of the best things you can do to ensure that your dog lives a healthy life is to keep them at a healthy weight. Dog obesity is a significant health threat and one that we, as pet parents, have it in our power to control. It can be difficult to ignore those imploring eyes that beg for just one more treat but keeping your dog healthy and fit will give them a better quality of life in the long term.
More than half of dogs in the US are obese or overweight, and this can lead to a range of health issues. When your vet tells you that your dog needs to lose a pound or two, it can seem insignificant until you realize that a pound or two on a dog is a bigger deal than a pound or two on a person. Given all this information, you may wonder how to change dog obesity.
The first step to preventing dog obesity, or the incremental accumulation of extra pounds, is awareness of what your dog’s ideal weight should be and remaining aware of any fluctuations in their weight. Your veterinarian can guide you on your dog’s ideal weight range, but you can assess your dog’s condition with a quick look at their shape. When looking from above, your dog should have a clearly defined, visible waist. And you should be able to easily feel their ribs but not their hip bones. If your answer is no to both, you probably need to get your dog to a healthy weight.
How to Stop Dog Obesity
Dogs gain weight the same way people do: too much food and too little exercise. So, to stop dog obesity, we must tackle the issue on both fronts.
How Much to Feed Your Dog
Although exercise is important for weight loss in dogs (we’ll get to that later), the food bowl is by far the most important factor. According to the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention (APOP), weight loss for dogs in 60-70% diet and 30-40% exercise.
Dog owners with active lifestyles may think they are in the clear, but even they may overestimate the impact of exercise on their dog’s weight maintenance. This doesn’t mean their dogs are overweight or obese necessarily, but that they, too, should know the signs and how to keep their dog at a healthy weight.
The first thing to do is to get specific with the amount of calories you’re feeding your dog. When we watch our weight or try to take off a few pounds, we may or may not count calories as a guide. We may choose to “eat healthily” and judge our progress by how our clothes fit. We can’t do that with dogs. So, when managing your dog’s weight, it is vital to have a way to know how much food to give them. This means you need to know how many calories your dog needs every day.
Most dog food packages will offer feeding guidelines, use these as a starting point. There are a number of factors to consider, such as breed, activity level, age, and whether they are neutered or spayed. The guidelines on the dog food packaging are just that – guidelines – and depending on the factors above, may or may not be the right amount for your dog. Your veterinarian can help you determine the right amount of calories for your dog.
Choose the Right Food
There are many fancy formulas online, regularly weighing your dog and assessing their condition will steer you in the right direction. Feeding your dog a nutrient-dense, high-protein food will keep them healthy as they reduce their overall food intake and help them maintain a healthy weight once they’ve hit their goal.
Your veterinarian may suggest a prescription food such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Formula Adult Dog Food, which can help maintain their weight and provide the nutrition they need. It features a high protein to calorie ratio that promotes the loss of body fat and helps maintain lean body mass.
Don’t Forget to Count Treats
It’s hard to resist those begging eyes, but over-treating your dog often results in too many calories to keep them at a healthy weight. And just like with their food, quality counts. Everyone loves to give their dogs treats, and they are often used as training aids.
The key is to include treats in their daily calorie intake. A good general rule is to make sure treats make up 10% or less than their total calories each day. And choose low-fat, low-calorie treats such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Lite Snackers Dog Treats to ensure they don’t get too many extra calories. Some dogs like fruit and vegetables, and if yours is one that does, you can also offer baby carrots, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, green beans, blueberries, bananas, and apples as treats. Apples and bananas are higher in sugar, so feed those in moderation.
Many dogs like peanut butter, and it’s okay to give it rarely as a special treat, such as after a visit to the veterinarian. Peanut butter has 100 calories per tablespoon, so offer it sparingly. And be sure to read the label, as many peanut butters made for people contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Canned pumpkin, such as Fruitables Pumpkin SuperBlend, is a great, low-calorie treat that most dogs love.
Safely Increase Your Dog’s Exercise
Food is important, but a weight loss or health maintenance program is not complete without exercise. The most obvious, important, and easiest exercise to make time for is walking. You probably take your dog out several times a day, anyway, so why not use it as exercise and entertainment for them. As they walk, they get mental stimulation and opportunities to sniff – a sniffari, as some pet parents call it. These activities are important for their mental and physical well-being.
The amount of walking – and exercise in general – that your dog needs depends on their general health and breed. Although some dogs may need more exercise and some less, all dogs need to move to remain healthy.
For your dog’s specific needs, check with your veterinarian or review any breed standards for suggestions about exercise. Dogs, like people, are individuals, so you may have to experiment a little to get it right. The recommended minimum for exercise is 20 minutes a day, twice a day. However, many dogs will need more than that. If your dog is obese or overweight, incrementally increase the amount they currently get by lengthening their walks or other activities by 10-20%.
Consult with your vet about the appropriate activities based on your dog’s breed, gender, age, and physical condition. Avoid injuries by slowly introducing them to new activities. Be mindful of the weather conditions, especially the sun, if your dog’s activities are outdoors. Strong sun can heat up the sidewalks or asphalt and burn their paw pads.
What If Your Dog Doesn’t Lose Weight?
If you’re regulating your dog’s calorie intake and their exercise regiment, and they don’t seem to be losing weight, you can try Vetality Slim Paws Weight Loss Soft Chews for Dogs. This supplement helps reduce body fat, improve metabolism, promote lean muscle mass, and decrease the conversion of food to fat.
If your dog continues to struggle with weight, you may need to consult your veterinarian to eliminate the possibility of a medical condition or disease. Weight gain and lethargy can be signs of conditions such as Cushing’s Syndrome and hypothyroidism.
Reaching a Healthy Weight and Maintaining It
We all want results fast, and this includes results for our dogs. But as we all know, losing weight can take time, and keeping it off takes vigilance. Once you’ve created a healthy eating and exercise plan for your dog, stick to it. The ideal weight management plan is to create and maintain good habits by applying them consistently.
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