How do you manage a dog's weight?

One of the most effective strategies for addressing the problem of overweight pets is to prevent pets from becoming overweight in the first place. The majority of pets need daily exercise to avoid weight gain. Dogs need to be walked every day, cats need to be provided with either outdoor access or opportunities to climb and play indoors, and smaller pets need to have space to climb, dig and explore. Advances in the nutritional quality of pet foods have led to many pets being fed complete diets, but it is essential to carefully regulate how much is fed to avoid weight gain. Care must also be taken with treats and other supplemental foods since these can contain a lot of calories. Any diet changes must also be introduced slowly, this is especially important in cats and rabbits, as rapid weight loss in these pets can cause life-threatening complications. Gradually increase physical activity In accordance with your pet's health and age. Weight alone is not a good measure to see if your pet is healthy, body condition scoring involves getting ‘hands on’ by feeling your pet’s ribs and waist.

Determining energy requirements for weight loss is a key step in weight management and is based on the needs of an average dog or cat, which can differ greatly among individual dogs and cats, based in part on age, gender, neuter status, lifestyle, and individual metabolism. Maintenance energy requirements can be calculated based on the pet’s current body weight or on target body weight. Online calculators for dogs and cats can be utilized. When making recommendations, it is important to note that drastic calorie restriction increases the risk of creating nutrient deficiencies, so obese pets should be restricted gradually and monitored closely during weight loss. An alternative approach to making a recommendation based on MER calculations is to reduce current caloric intake, if a complete diet history is known. Caloric restriction should be targeted for gradual weight loss of 1-2% of body weight per week for dogs and 0.5% up to 1-2% per week for cats, which helps maintain lean body mass and mitigate rebound weight gain. A therapeutic weight loss diet, formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition with less caloric impact, may be preferable to feeding a smaller amount of the pet's current food, as restricting maintenance diets may result in an inadequate intake of essential nutrients and may leave the pet unsatiated leading to food-seeking behaviors.

If your dog is overweight, then helping to reduce their size can significantly improve their health and happiness. You’ll need to help your dog balance the food they eat with the exercise they do, and the best place to start is with advice from your vet. Your vet can help you create a plan of action and give you information on the best and healthiest ways to help your dog lose weight. Being overweight can also put a strain on your dog’s back and joints, leading to pain and even arthritis. Are they reluctant to exercise? Do they find it hard to go for walks? Do they get out of breath more easily? Are they often tired or sleep a lot? If the answer to any of these questions was “yes”, then it may be time to find out more about whether your dog is overweight. To read our hints and tips on how to help your dog stay fit and healthy, why not read our article on managing your dog’s weight.

To manage a dog's weight, talk to your veterinarian for information and guidance when it comes to your dog’s diet and potential weight-loss plan. Know Your Dog’s Healthy Weight, as different breeds and ages have different healthy weight ranges, and check what the AKC breed standard says about the ideal weight for your breed. Keep Your Dog Active, as exercise is crucial when it comes to helping your overweight dog get healthy, and regular walks and the chance to run and play in a safe off-leash environment are good forms of exercise for your dog. Limit Treats and Table Scraps, as dogs don’t need to share everything we eat, and think of treats and scraps for your pet as you would candy for children to help you keep them to a minimum. Measure and Monitor your dog's food intake, using an appropriate measuring device to ensure you’re managing portion control. Customize Your Dog’s Diet, looking for a brand that offers dog food designed for your pet’s own issues, whether it’s weight management, sensitive stomachs, or something else entirely. Don’t Go Cold Turkey, instead ease your dog into a new diet, rather than abruptly changing what they eat, and Stick With It, as consistency is the key to maintaining weight loss.

It won't surprise you that the common reason for canine obesity is overeating and corresponding lack of exercise. Unlike us, your canine companion cannot simply decide to take more exercise or eat less, so it’s crucial we, as their owners, employ the lifestyle changes needed to maintain a healthy weight. Your veterinary team can help you with this. After conducting a physical examination and asking you some questions about your dog’s lifestyle, your vet will be able to establish a realistic and long-term sustainable weight-loss plan. It’s often as simple as encouraging more exercise and reducing the calorie intake. Reducing after-dinner scraps and reducing treats in-between mealtimes will help. Exercise with your dog in Leicestershire can be fun, walks in the park, playing in the garden and using a dog toy with some of their kibble inside will keep your dog strong, healthy and entertained. Older dogs may only be able to potter owing to older joints, but this will loosen them up and given their muscles a little workout. You could use a proportion of their daily food allowance for treats.