Weight loss is difficult for anyone – even for our four-legged companions! However, losing weight can potentially add years to your dog’s life, as well as make those years even more enjoyable.
Helping your pup to shed a bit of extra weight is more achievable than you think. It requires your commitment, attention, and partnership with your veterinarian. In this guide we’ll start by going over how to tell if your dog is overweight, followed by potential reasons, and finally focussing on what you can do to help them lose weight as well as how to prevent future weight gain.
Signs Your Dog is Overweight
You can weigh your dog yourself or take them to the vets to have them professionally weighed, however it is also important to look at their shape and feel their body to carry out something called a ‘Body Composition Score (BCS)’.
- Gently feel the base of their tail, there shouldn’t be a build-up of fat.
- Look at them from the side and from above, you should be able to see their waist.
- Feel under their tummy, it should go in, not bulge out.
- Run your hands along their back, you should be able to feel (but not see) their spine and hip bones under their skin.
- Run your hands along their sides. Their skin should move freely over their ribs, which you should be able to feel with a light touch, not with pressure.
Why Dogs Gain Weight
Understanding the cause of weight gain is the first step to tackling it. Always consult your vet if you’re unsure.
- Diet & Exercise: Your dog may be eating too much food or too many treats. They may also not be getting enough exercise. It’s important to always follow the feeding guidelines set by your food manufacturer, you can normally find this on the packaging, as well as taking your dog for regular walks. All Calibra diets contain feeding guidelines and calorie information on the packaging.
- Illness & Medical Conditions: There are some medical conditions that can cause weight gain in dogs such as hypothyroidism or kidney disease that can lead to fluid retention and weight gain. However, these are a much rarer cause of weight gain compared to diet and exercise. For dogs with specific health conditions, specialised diets such as veterinary diets can support their unique needs.
- Medications: There are certain medications, such as steroids, that can lead to weight gain. It’s always best to go to your vet for advice and recommendations.
Health Risks
Dogs who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to many different health issues and complications, increasing the risk of:
- Joint and mobility issues: Conditions like arthritis and ligament injuries are more common in overweight dogs due to added stress on joints.
- Metabolic and hormonal disorders: Obesity increases the risk of diabetes.
- Heart and lung strain: Extra weight strains the heart and lungs, raising the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and breathing difficulties.
- Reduced lifespan and quality of life: Overweight dogs can often experience decreased energy levels, reduced mobility, and a shorter lifespan.
Managing your dog’s weight through the right diet-specific nutrition and lifestyle choices can significantly reduce these risks and help them enjoy a healthier, longer, and more active life.
Managing Hunger in Dogs
If your dog always seems hungry, it may be due to behaviour, diet, or health conditions. Common causes include begging, scavenging, poor-quality food, or mismatched routines.
What you can do:
- Avoid giving table scraps or rewarding begging.
- Keep dogs out of the kitchen or dining room at mealtimes.
- Replace regular treats with healthy, low-calorie treats in moderation.
- Choose high-quality, nutrient rich food to help them feel satisfied.
- Speak to your vet if hunger persists despite a balanced diet.
Track What They Eat
Create a record of everything your dog eats for a few days, including table scraps and treats. This is a good way to highlight what ‘extras’ your dog is getting and see where overfeeding may be happening.
Helping Your Dog Lose Weight
Obesity is very serious, and both exercise and diet are vital in helping your dog to lose weight.
- Consult your vet for feeding guidelines tailored to your dog’s weight, size, and health.
- Consider specialised diet-specific dog foods food, such as a ‘Light’ or ‘Metabolic’ formulas.
- Manage treats carefully, no more than 10% of daily calories should come from treats. Choose healthier alternatives such as veterinary diet treats like our weight management snacks.
- Make changes gradually, never starve your dog or encourage excessive exercise. Always provide access to fresh water.
Exercise For Weight Loss
Limiting calories is one thing, but it’s just as important to increase the number of calories your dog burns through exercise. Regular activity improves muscle tone, boosts metabolism, and supports weight loss.
Inactive dogs are also more pone to boredom, which may cause them to beg, scavenge, or overeat. Exercise not only helps with weight management but also provides mental stimulation they need to stay content.
Tips for safe exercise:
- Always go at your dog’s pace, not all dogs are naturally athletic or enjoy long walks, especially those that are unfit.
- Start with several short walks close to home rather than one or two long ones.
- Add variety with games like fetch.
- Try swimming if your dog’s enjoy water – this is a brilliant option or obese dogs, as it puts less stress on their joints.
- Pair regular activity with supportive mobility dog food to help protect your dog’s joints while managing weight.
How to Prevent Dog Obesity
To help prevent obesity in your dog, make sure they maintain a healthy diet and give them plenty of exercise. If you’re concerned about their weight, or suspect an underlying health condition could be contributing, speak to your local vet.
You can also:
- Stick to a regular feeding routine.
- Measure out portions according to your dog’s weight, size, and activity level.
- Use low calorie treats as a reward.
- Keep track of your dog’s weight with regular check-ins.
- Exercise regularly.
Taking these steps makes it much easier to keep your dog at a healthy weight and avoid future health concerns.
Final Thoughts
As your dog loses weight, you will notice that they are happier, more energetic and more likely to exercise. You may need to adjust the amount of food they eat to help them maintain their weight – at this point you should speak to your local vet about weight maintenance.
Once your dog has been overweight, it may be easier for them to gain weight again. It’s important that you keep an eye on your dog’s shape and weight be taking them for regular checkups or weighing them yourself every two to four weeks.
For help and advice on the best nutrition, please feel free to get in touch with any questions – we’re more than happy to help.
