The human obesity epidemic gets a lot of press, but did you know that domesticated dogs are fighting the very same issue? According to recent statistics, as many as 56% of dogs in the United States are classified as overweight or obese. And sadly, many pet owners don’t even realize how dangerous this can be.
Dog obesity leads to a host of health issues, including arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing and respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and even cancer. Paying attention to your dog’s weight and taking action now is the best thing you can do to fight off obesity and help your pet avoid these chronic conditions.
How to know if your dog is overweight
No one wants to admit their dog is overweight. It can be embarrassing or shameful to admit that you’ve let your dog’s weight get out of hand. But remember, it’s not about you! It’s about your dog. It’s never too late to make a lasting change. The first step is knowing there’s a problem in the first place.
Here are some clues your pup is carrying around a few extra pounds:
They have difficulty moving around
If your dog is young and otherwise healthy, has no history of chronic illness, no arthritis or past surgeries such as ACL repair, there’s no reason they should have trouble moving. If they struggle with jumping or running or seem to run out of breath quicker than they should, this is a good sign that they’re overweight.
You can easily feel their ribs
When you lightly run your hands down your dog’s side, can you feel their ribs? You should be able to feel (not see) your dog’s ribs on most breeds when you pet them.
Your veterinarian mentions it
You should take your dog to the vet each year (every six months for senior dogs) for a health and wellness check. During this visit, ask your vet if your pup is at a healthy weight. They’ll weigh your pet and tell you if your dog could stand to lose a few pounds.
How to help your dog lose weight (and keep it off)
Your dog is overweight; that much is clear. But what now? What can you do to help your dog live a long and happy life at the ideal weight for their breed and body size?
As with humans, there are two key elements to weight loss in dogs — diet and exercise.
When dogs overeat unhealthy food loaded with carbohydrates and don’t get enough daily exercise, they will eventually become overweight and develop health issues. On the contrary, when you feed your dog an appropriate amount of quality, nutritious food and ensure they meet their daily movement requirements, they will shed those pounds.
The following small, intentional changes can help you incorporate good diet and exercise practices into your pet care routine — allowing your dog to become their happiest, healthiest self.
Consider a medical condition
Before making diet and movement changes, take your dog to the vet to rule out an undiagnosed medical condition. This is especially important if they’ve recently gained weight, as this could indicate an underlying health issue. Cushing’s and hypothyroidism are two common causes of sudden canine weight gain.
You might also take your dog to the vet for a health evaluation if you make diet and exercise changes and don’t notice any weight changes after a few months.
Stop giving them your dinner
While giving your dog a taste of your meal can be fun, this can significantly impact their daily caloric intake. Most people don’t consider table scraps when planning how much food to give their dog.
Occasionally sneaking your dog a piece of (safe and healthy) human food as a treat won’t harm them, but you shouldn’t make a habit of it.
Avoid conventional dog food
Conventional canned and dry dog food is loaded with artificial ingredients, fillers, preservatives, and tons of carbohydrates. Some dog food even contains sugar! This can spell disaster for a dog that needs to lose some weight.
Filler ingredients and refined white grains cause blood sugar spikes, leaving your dog hungry and causing them to overeat. Many dog food companies use bottom-of-the-barrel ingredients to make their food, adding outdated or low-quality meat and GMO products.
Ingredients to avoid in dog food:
- Vegetable oil
- Corn
- Gluten-containing grains
- Meat by-products
- BHA/BHT
- Food dyes and coloring
- Sugar/corn syrup
- Nitrates/Nitrites
- Propyl Gallate
- Carrageenan
- MSG
- Melamine
- Cellulose
Think about it: if you wouldn’t eat it, would you really want to feed it to your dog?
Consult your veterinarian
Talking to your vet can help determine if your dog is overweight. They can also help you develop a plan to get your pup on a healthy path. Ask your vet for food and portion control recommendations and discuss your dog’s specific nutritional needs. They will always be the best source of information for your pet’s unique situation.
Consulting with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet is especially important if they have existing health issues like diabetes or cancer.
Give healthier treats
Dogs love treats — that’s a given. As their owner, you love seeing your pet get excited and want to reward them for their good behavior, usually with a treat (or a handful). But what happens when you give Fido an entire MilkBone every time he sits or rolls over or gives you those irresistible begging eyes?
According to the experts, treats should make up at most 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake. Treats add up quickly. But for many pet owners, this is their way of bonding with their dog.
However, there are much healthier (and better) ways to show your dog affection and praise.
What to give your dog instead of treats:
- Ear scratches
- Belly rubs
- Verbal praise
- Toss a ball
- Quick play session
You don’t have to eliminate treats! Switch to a healthier option to help reduce treat consumption and support your pet’s health. Apples, carrots, blueberries, or green beans are delicious treats your pet will love.
Buy high-quality food or raw food
Look for food with real, organic meat, limited grains, and processed ingredients. Stick to food that is high protein, low carb. This is closest to a dog’s natural diet and will help them drop pounds.
Raw food diets are also popular for dog health and weight loss. Find a reputable raw dog food company to ensure food safety and guarantee that your pup gets all the nutrients they need.
Monitor portion sizes
One of the biggest contributors to pet weight gain is free feeding and overfeeding. Many people take the recommended serving size on the back of the dog food bag as a hard and fast rule, failing to recognize that each dog has a different metabolism and caloric requirement. The “manufacturer’s recommended serving size” is possibly far more than your pet actually requires.
Things that affect portion size:
- Age
- Being spayed/neutered
- Activity level
- Size
- Body composition
- Breed
So much goes into calculating a dog’s daily food requirements — it’s not a one-scoop-fits-all situation. Each dog has a unique metabolism and health status and needs a different amount of food to stay healthy. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has a helpful chart that can be a good guideline when calculating how much to feed your dog.
Remember, it might seem mean, but you shouldn’t trust your dog’s appetite. Many dogs will keep eating and eating and will beg for more food even when they’ve eaten plenty throughout the day. You are responsible for monitoring your dog’s food intake, and you must protect their health by cutting them off. If your dog continues to beg, give them a healthy snack, take them for a walk, or play with them instead.
Note: Consult with your vet if deviating from the manufacturer’s recommended serving size to ensure you’re not underfeeding your dog.
Incorporate more exercise
Exercise is about 30-40% of the weight loss equation. While not as important as diet management, it still plays a huge role. Taking your dog on a daily walk is critical, but it isn’t everything. Many obese or overweight dogs are naturally sedentary and may need extra encouragement to stay active.
Here are some fun ways to incorporate more activity:
- Take them for more walks (2-3x per day)
- Throw a ball or frisbee
- Take them swimming
- Throw a toy or play tug-of-war
- Put together an agility course
- Take them to the dog park
- Have a doggy play date
- Take them on a hike
Start with 20 minutes of exercise daily and incorporate more as they lose weight. Take extra care when starting daily exercise with old or severely obese dogs. They might need to take it slow and do just a few minutes of exercise at a time.
Note: If your dog has arthritis, they may struggle to get moving. Low-impact activities such as swimming and walking might be the best choice for arthritic pets.
Implement healthy habits that stick
True health isn’t putting your dog on a diet or implementing a temporary exercise regime. It means changing the way you approach pet care and implementing healthy habits that lead to lasting change.
Many pet owners equate extra food with extra love, but true love means looking after your dog and giving them just what they need. Prioritizing your dog’s well-being and helping them lose weight means a few extra years to enjoy their tail wags, cuddles, and sloppy face kisses — who wouldn’t want that?
