Helping Your Overweight Dog Lose Weight Safely
I know you absolutely love your dog's round, chubby, and adorable appearance. However, every time the veterinarian kindly advises, "Your pet is too overweight — this can easily lead to various health problems, so it's best to start a weight loss plan," you find yourself hesitating. Should you really put your dog on a diet? And how exactly should you help them lose weight?
In fact, consulting and following the veterinarian's weight management recommendations beforehand is essential. Before starting a weight loss plan, you should also understand your dog's current health status and whether their bodily functions are normal. Only then can you decide which weight loss strategy is appropriate.
After a thorough checkup confirms that your dog's health condition is normal, you can proceed confidently with their weight loss journey without wasted effort.
Below, we will explore the impact of obesity on dogs and how you can help your overweight dog lose weight and regain good health.
Health Impacts of Obesity in Dogs
Obesity in dogs is considered a chronic metabolic disorder. The main causes of obesity usually boil down to eating too much and moving too little, leading to an accumulation of calories and fat stored in the body.
Overweight dogs often feel tired easily when walking and tend to get out of breath quickly. When they get tired, they become reluctant to move, and without activity, they struggle to lose weight. Once caught in this negative vicious cycle, it becomes increasingly difficult to help the dog lose weight.
Just like in humans, excessive weight in dogs can seriously harm their health. Common related diseases include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney failure. Additionally, conditions such as intervertebral disc herniation and knee joint wear are frequent. Obesity can even raise the risk of cancer by more than 50%.
This is particularly concerning for middle-aged and senior dogs, whose bodily functions tend to decline with age. Increased weight can significantly raise their risk of developing diseases or reduce their mobility due to the extra burden on their bodies, causing them to lose the joy of running and jumping.
Ideal Body Condition for Dogs
When assessing a dog's ideal body condition, start by observing its side profile. The abdomen should exhibit a slight upward curve toward the tail. Viewed from above, the dog should have an hourglass-shaped waistline.
Next, when gently feeling the dog's rib area, you should be able to feel the rib shapes without seeing any prominent bones protruding externally. However, because the muscle mass varies greatly among different breeds, visual inspection alone is not always accurate. The most reliable way to evaluate a dog's body condition is through actual physical touch.
In simple terms, beyond the three key aspects mentioned above, if the dog's body feels to have just a thin layer of subcutaneous fat under the skin, this can be considered the "perfect ideal body condition."
- Ideal Body Condition
- Slightly Overweight Body Condition
- Overweight Body Condition
6 Effective Ways to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
1. Calorie Control for Dog Diet
The first step in starting a weight loss plan for your dog is to control the total calories in their diet. To set a good foundation for the weight loss program and to achieve your goals, you must understand how many calories your dog needs daily to maintain basic life functions. Then, compare that to the calories you actually feed your dog to avoid excess calorie intake that can lead to obesity. This approach ensures effective calorie management in your dog's diet.
Here is a "Daily Calorie Needs Calculator for Dogs" from a foreign veterinary website. By entering your pet's weight, the system automatically calculates the appropriate calorie intake for them.
▲ Daily Calorie Needs Calculator for Dogs
However, the calorie requirements provided by this simple calculator should only be used as a reference. It is important to consider your dog's age, activity level, and metabolism when determining their needs. Generally, puppies, working dogs, and pregnant females require at least twice the metabolic calories of an average dog. In contrast, senior dogs and those with low activity levels only need about 0.8 times the metabolic calories of a typical dog.
Additionally, for severely overweight dogs, it is best to gradually decrease calorie intake to achieve weight loss. Setting the target too quickly to the ideal weight may negatively impact your dog's physical health.
If you are unsure how to determine the optimal calorie intake, it is recommended to discuss a weight-loss plan with your veterinarian. Together, you can develop a suitable weight loss schedule based on your dog's age, lifestyle, and activity level, which will be a more appropriate approach for your pet.
2. Changing Your Dog's Diet: The Healthiest Approach
Changing the type of food you give your dog by preparing fresh meals at home is definitely the healthiest way to feed them. Fresh food allows you to tailor the diet according to your dog's physical condition and ensures they receive the richest nutritional content. Therefore, changing the source and form of their food is an essential part of their health management.
When selecting fresh ingredients, you have many options. For example, apples, pumpkin, oats, and carrots are rich in water-soluble dietary fiber, which helps increase satiety. High-quality proteins like chicken breast, salmon, and eggs maintain essential muscle mass and also help boost basal metabolic rate.
During weight loss periods, an increased overall metabolic rate may lead to higher levels of reactive oxygen species in your dog's body. At this time, it's recommended to add antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries and broccoli to fresh meals or kibble to strengthen their immune system.
For those who do not have time to cook fresh meals, specially formulated prescription diets designed for overweight dogs are a practical alternative. These diets contain lower calories compared to regular dog food but still provide sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals. This way, your dog consumes fewer calories without compromising essential nutrition.
Moreover, related studies show that foods high in quality protein can improve the success rate of weight loss. Whether you choose fresh meals or prescription diets, it's important to pay close attention to the protein content to ensure your dog's nutritional needs are met.
3. Gradual Adjustment of Feeding Amount for Dog Weight Loss
To avoid causing physical and mental stress in dogs during weight loss, it is important to gradually adjust their feeding portions. When the calories provided to the dog have already been reduced, the feeding amount should naturally decrease by a few grams each week.
The feeding portions must be adjusted appropriately in a timely manner. It is not effective if the dog loses 500 grams in a month but still eats the same full bowl of food every day. Such an approach may prevent the dog from achieving its weight loss goals.
Therefore, during the weight loss period, the feeding amount and frequency must be changed in accordance with the reduction in calorie intake. Adopting the principle of feeding smaller amounts more frequently helps the dog's digestive system gradually adapt.
Additionally, if a dog normally has a large appetite, it is essential not to reduce its food quantity too drastically at once, as this could cause physical discomfort.
4. Reducing Snack Intake to Prevent Weight Gain in Dogs
Frequently giving your dog snacks can be one of the reasons they gain excess weight. It is recommended that the daily amount of snacks should not exceed 10% of your dog's total daily calorie needs.
All snacks contain a high amount of calories, so strictly controlling the portion size of treats given to your dog is essential to avoid undoing your efforts to maintain their health. Reducing the amount of snacks will help prevent your dog from gaining more weight despite attempts to reduce it.
5. Daily Exercise and Toys: The Best Combination for Your Dog's Weight Loss Plan
Incorporating exercise into a weight loss plan is one of the best ways to burn calories and achieve effective results. Taking your dog out for a daily walk not only benefits their physical and mental well-being but also boosts the effectiveness of the weight loss process.
It is recommended to choose exercise types or toys that fit your dog's activity level and health condition. For small dogs, a basic exercise duration of about 20 to 30 minutes is ideal, while medium to large dogs can benefit from longer sessions of one to two hours.
Many indoor dogs have fewer opportunities for outdoor walks. In these cases, purchasing engaging and mentally stimulating toys is a great option. These toys allow dogs to burn calories at home while keeping their minds active. For example, ten minutes of scent-based puzzle play can be equivalent to one hour of physical exercise in terms of energy expenditure.
6. Regularly Monitoring Your Dog's Weight Loss Progress
When thoroughly implementing each of the plans listed above, it is best to weigh your dog once a week to check whether they are losing the expected amount of weight each week. This regular check helps ensure your dog is progressing according to the plan.
If you have been strictly controlling your dog's diet combined with exercise, but notice they are not losing weight, it may be necessary to review which part of the plan needs adjustment. Alternatively, you might consider taking your dog to the veterinarian to check for any underlying medical issues that could be affecting their weight loss.
Understanding Canine Obesity: Causes and Healthy Practices
In summary, the main causes of obesity in dogs largely stem from insufficient exercise and improper dietary habits. Among these factors, some pet owners insist on keeping their dogs chubby because they believe it makes them look cuter. However, it is important to emphasize the need to maintain a correct understanding of health. Moderately managing your dog's weight is essential to ensuring a healthy future for your furry companion.
