So, remember, if your dog has gained weight, it’s likely they are eating too much or moving too little. Neutering Changes in sex hormones following neutering are thought to result in behaviour changes, these can include increased appetite and decreased physical activity which can lead to weight gain. Age Dogs between 6 to 9+ years have the highest risk of overweight status. This is often due to the natural slowing down that comes with ageing. With less exercise and reduced mobility, owners often don’t consider that they need to reduce the calories in their dog’s food to counteract this. Illness Medical conditions can cause weight gain in dogs, these include hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease.
Calorific requirements of dogs of the same weight can vary hugely, depending on if they are neutered, how old or how active they are. These should all be taken into consideration when working out how much to feed your four-legged friend. Overfeeding Those puppy dog eyes are often the culprit. By feeding treats on top of your dog’s daily calorie allowance, it’s very easy to tip your dog into that over-weight category without even realising.