Losing weight is one of life’s many difficult conquests, and it isn’t any different for your dog. Your dog doesn’t just carry the extra weight, but also the potential risks that come with being overweight.
Shedding a few pounds can help your dog decrease health risks and increase their lifespan, meaning they live longer, happier lives. This guide will outline top tips on what to feed your dog to best assist them on their weight loss journey.
Is My Dog Overweight?
There are a few ways you can identify if your dog is overweight. Having regular check-ups with your vet will give them the opportunity to weigh them on professional pet scales, providing you with an accurate result. Vets can also give you breed-specific advice on how much your dog should weigh. They may also refer to your dog’s Body Composition Score (BCS), which is something you can assess yourself from the comfort of your own home. You can gauge their BCS by:
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Looking at your dog from above and from the side, they should have a visible waistline, and the belly should slope upwards towards their hind legs
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Feeling under their tummy, there should be no bulges, and it should go inwards
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Gently running your hands over their sides to find their ribs. You should be able to feel their ribs without applying pressure; however, they shouldn’t be prominent
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Running your hands along their backs. Similarly to their ribs, you should be able to feel their spine and hip bones underneath their skin, but these should not be noticeably visible
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Finally, using the BCS chart to score your dog, indicating how close they are to their ideal weight
What Are The Potential Health Risks For Obese Dogs?
Obesity in dogs is a serious health concern as it comes with a variety of risks that can shorten your dog’s lifespan and impact their quality of life. Common health concerns include:
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Increased Risk of Heart Disease: Extra fat around the heart and arteries can make it harder for blood to travel around the body, increasing the likelihood of heart disease
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Increased Risk of Respiratory Disease: Excess weight can put pressure on the lungs, reducing their functionality
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Arthritis: Carrying extra, unnecessary weight puts pressure and strain on your dog’s joints, which can lead to reduced mobility, stiffness and pain
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Reduced Heat Tolerance: Obese dogs can struggle to cope in the heat as they can’t regulate their body temperature as well, making them more prone to heatstroke
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Diabetes: A higher BCS score puts your dog at significantly higher risk of developing diabetes
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Reduced Quality of Life: Generally, obese dogs have less energy and stamina, causing them to enjoy everyday activities less, such as walks or playing with toys
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Breed-Specific Issues: For certain breeds, excess weight can be even more damaging:
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The risk of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and spinal injuries increases for Dachshunds when they are overweight
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Breeds with flat faces, such as Pugs, can have an increased risk of respiratory issues
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Large breeds are prone to developing elbow dysplasia, a condition where symptoms worsen in obese dogs
If you are dealing with any of these conditions currently, or worried they are starting to develop, our range of pet supplements can help you manage these issues with the assistance of your veterinarian.
What Type Of Food Should I Feed My Overweight Dog?
When focusing on weight management, it’s important to look at the nutritional content of your dog’s food to ensure they are eating the right type of food whilst still receiving all the nutrients and vitamins needed within their diet.
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High-Protein: Focus on providing your dog with a high-protein diet. Foods with a protein content of more than 25% will help to reduce body fat whilst maintaining muscle mass. Ranges such as our Calibra Verve line that contains up to 32% fresh meat are ideal for this
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High-Fibre: Choose foods with at least 12% fibre. Fibre will help your dog feel fuller for longer, meaning you can also monitor the amount of food they are eating
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Low-Fat: Low-fat options help to reduce your dog’s overall calorie intake. Our Calibra VD Diabetes and Obesity complete food combines low calorie with high fibre to make choosing dog food easy
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Healthy Treats: Picking healthier treat options for your dog to munch on, such as our Calibra VD Crunchy Weight Management Snacks, means that you can also monitor what your dog is eating outside of their meals, to ensure they aren’t consuming too many calories
Limit Your Dog’s Food Intake
Weight management doesn’t stop at choosing the type of food to feed your dog, you also need to monitor the amount of food they are eating, as even too much of the right food will do harm.
You can track how much food your dog is eating within their meals by enforcing strict portions. Weighing food or using measuring scoops are effective ways of ensuring you aren’t overfeeding your dog at mealtimes. Sticking to only feeding at certain times of the day also ensures there’s no extra food being given.
Monitor how many treats and snacks they are getting, from their own chews to little scraps here and there. Every treat adds up and can do more harm than good. Avoid giving them any table scraps by keeping them away when you are cooking or eating.
Consult A Vet
As with any decisions regarding your dog’s diet, it is always best to consult a vet before making any changes. Your vet can help you decide the right course of action for your dog and put together a weight loss plan, including an exercise regime to implement alongside a balanced diet. They can also advise on any conditions that your dog may suffer from, such as allergies, sensitivities, reduced mobility, or renal and cardiac issues, and how best to manage them whilst losing weight.
For more information on how to manage your dog’s allergies, visit our Common Dog Allergy guide for tips on how to manage symptoms and different treatment options.
Final Thoughts
Losing weight can be difficult, but with some hard work, you will see the benefits of a balanced diet and regular exercise in your dog’s routine. Acting now for overweight dogs will help you avoid increased health risks, meaning they have happier, longer lives.
It can be easier for your dog to gain weight again if they have been overweight previously, meaning it is important to continue monitoring their food intake and stick to their routine to avoid falling back into bad habits.
If you’d like more help and advice about our Calibra products, please feel free to get in touch with any questions – we’re more than happy to help.
