If you allow your dog to gain too much weight, you are putting his life at risk. Overweight dogs are more susceptible to diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other debilitating conditions. Having to carry all that weight, the joints and back are subjected to greater strain and the animal could end up suffering from arthritis. If your faithful friend is overweight, it is in both of your interests to lose weight as soon as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Determine if the Dog is Overweight
Step 1. Observe the appearance of the animal
Since dogs, even of the same breed, have different builds, analyzing the appearance of your furry friend is actually the least suitable way to determine if he is fat or not. In any case, checking his silhouette, both from above and in profile, will allow you to get a good idea of his current physical condition.
- If you look at the dog from above, from above his back, you should clearly see the life line in front of the hind legs and a distinct difference between the chest and abdomen.
- If you look at the dog in profile, you should notice the difference in size between the chest and abdomen. The waist should be clearly visible and the abdomen should be closer to the spine than the chest is.
- If the back appears flat, wide and the abdomen saggy, the dog may be overweight.
Step 2. Submit it to the "rib test"
This is another method of assessing a dog's weight. Place your hands on either side of his chest and feel his ribs. In a normal weight dog, you shouldn't be able to see them, but you should still be able to count them individually by touching them. If you can't feel them easily, your dog is overweight.
Step 3. Weigh your furry friend
On the internet you can easily find graphs and tables that indicate the ideal weight range of the animal based on the breed. Keep in mind that these tables are based on the average values and typical characteristics of each breed; then it is also essential to evaluate each individual specimen.
- Depending on the size of the animal, you are able to obtain a reliable weight value even at home. If you want to weigh it accurately, first weigh yourself and then lift the dog (if you can) and weigh yourself together. Then subtract your weight from your total weight, which you measured when holding the dog. Always use the same method to make sure you get the most accurate data possible.
- If you want to have an unequivocal data, have the dog weighed by the vet who, at the same time, will be able to give you the best recommendations to keep your faithful friend in shape.
Part 2 of 4: Develop a Plan to Get It Weight Loss
Step 1. Take your dog to the vet
Once you have come to the conclusion that the animal is overweight or if you are still unsure, you need to take it to the doctor for an examination. He will be able to determine the weight of the dog, discuss with you the possible causes that led him to gain weight, determine how many kilograms he should lose or at least set an initial goal.
Step 2. Plan your dog's meals with the vet
He will be able to direct you to a targeted diet plan to bring your four-legged friend back to a healthy weight. It may be necessary to give the animal specific foods for this purpose, adjust the portions and frequency of meals, increase physical activity and change the type of food rewards.
However, the veterinarian will need to assess whether there are any medical reasons for not starting this type of feeding program
Step 3. Consider giving your dog weight loss medications only in extreme cases
For some years there have been drugs on the market, specific for dogs, which help the slimming process and which act on the reduction of the animal's appetite. Be aware that these products are known for their very frequent side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
- These drugs should be used only as a last resort, in dogs in good health and only after having ruled out any pathology that may cause excessive weight and the inability to lose it.
- Your vet will be able to determine if this is a viable option for your wagging friend.
Part 3 of 4: Follow the Diet Plan
Step 1. Feed your dog a specific weight loss diet
Your vet can help you choose the most suitable food. Your diet plan may be limited to reducing portions or replacing certain foods.
- There are diets that help dogs lose weight and maintain a constant healthy weight. Usually they are based on a reduction in caloric intake and an increase in fiber, so as to give the animal a sense of satiety even if it takes in fewer calories. These diets are generally more expensive than standard diets and are reserved for cases where the animal needs to lose a lot of weight or when simple portion reduction is not enough to achieve the desired results.
- There is also a new category of weight loss diets that use genomics or science to create foods specially developed to alter the animal's metabolism. Hills Metabolic Diet is the only one currently on the market.
Step 2. Measure the amount of food you give him at each meal
This allows you to easily spot any changes in his appetite, which could indicate other problems. This is even more important when trying to make your faithful friend lose weight; you need to know precisely what and how much food he is eating, so that you can assess how effective the diet is and make any adjustments.
If there are other dogs in the house, you should keep the puppies separate during feeding time. Make sure all specimens have their own food and place them in separate rooms with their own bowl until they finish their meal
Step 3. Write down how much your pet eats daily, including treats and treats, and how much physical activity he practices
You could also use a measuring cup to determine the amount of food, but weighing individual foods is definitely a more accurate way to make sure your dog is getting the right portions.
You can create a table yourself or download it from the internet. Also remember to write down the weight of the dog every week. Take this chart with you when you go to the vet so we can evaluate your progress together
Step 4. Reduce or eliminate unhealthy treats
Most of the products you find on the market are high in calories, a bit like candy for humans. Even though there are low calorie snacks on sale, you should still avoid giving your dog these products and replace them with much healthier snacks.
- Some healthy treats for the dog are carrots, green beans, broccoli, celery, and apples but, as with all diet plans, these should also be limited.
- Always take into account any known allergies of the animal before including certain foods in the diet, also remember that some foods for human consumption are toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
- When giving your dog treats, don't forget to include them in your daily calorie balance. You will have to compensate by reducing the calories from other foods.
- As a general rule, make sure that the food premiums do not exceed 10% of the animal's daily calorie intake.
- You can also put your daily dose of kibble in a container and offer them as treats throughout the day.
Step 5. Get your dog to train more frequently
Physical activity improves your muscle tone, metabolism and reduces weight. The calculations for weight loss are very simple. The difference between the calories consumed during the day with food and those consumed with physical activity determines whether your dog will lose weight or not. If you develop a workout routine, you will improve your wagging friend's metabolism and health.
- This should be the main topic of discussion with the vet. Before starting to train your dog, you should definitely seek the advice of your doctor, as some breeds are by nature unable to perform certain types of exercises or tolerate their intensity. Also, you need to be very cautious when deciding what to have your pet do, based on its health condition and where the training takes place.
- Typically, it starts with short walks and gradually increases the distance or pace, depending on what the dog can tolerate. This is an easy way to start some training. Then you can insert fetching toys, or stimulate the dog with toys for 20 minutes a day.
Step 6. Make sure your dog is mentally stimulated
It might surprise you to know that mental stimulation can be just as important as exercise when trying to make your dog lose weight. Many dogs tend to eat more than necessary both to attract the attention of the owner (in the sense that they annoy the owner, who often tends to think that the dog is simply hungry) and out of boredom.
- Try stroking or playing with the dog when he asks for your attention instead of immediately feeding him.
- Additionally, he uses devices to increase the time it takes to find and consume food instead of placing it directly in his bowl. This ensures that the dog has to find a way to get to the food, which allows you to prevent him from eating more than necessary. You can find these types of devices on the market, but you can also consider very simple strategies like scattering his tidbits on the grass in the garden or putting his food in a cardboard box.
Part 4 of 4: Monitoring and Editing Your Weight Loss Plan
Step 1. Check your weight loss at least once a month
Purchase a dog scale or use the weighing method described at the beginning of the article and make a table. Write down the weekly values to see if the animal is losing weight.
You should also have your pet weighed every month by your vet until it reaches its target weight
Step 2. Evaluate if the weight loss program is strong enough
If caloric restriction and increased physical activity aren't enough to get the desired results, then you need to go to your vet again. It may be necessary to further reduce calories or increase your training.
The initial program you developed with your vet may not be ideal for your furry friend. If you notice that it doesn't work, feel free to make adjustments with your doctor's help and advice
Step 3. Determine if your dog is able to get extra calories
There can be many non-medical reasons why your pet is unable to lose weight. For example, some other family member might give him some extra food or treats without you knowing or the dog might have access to the pantry.
Step 4. Consider the possibility that he is sick
There are some conditions that can cause weight gain and make weight loss very difficult, if not impossible. For example, hypothyroidism prevents the dog from burning calories and makes it less active. This is an unfavorable factor when trying to make your pet lose weight.
Diabetes and Cushing's disease are conditions that can make weight loss impossible
Warnings
- Always research foods before giving them to your faithful friend as treats and treats. For example, grapes, raisins, chocolate and onions are very toxic to dogs.
- Excessive exercise can be dangerous; talk to your vet to find out how much to train your pet without taking any risks.
- Never restrict their access to water. You should make sure he always has plenty of clean water available, unless your vet specifically tells you otherwise.
