To determine whether your dog is overweight, stand over them, look down and check for a waist— there should be a visible indentation behind the ribs.
Obesity is the most common canine nutritional disease in this country, occurring in around 40% of dogs. While the many problems associated with weight gain are frightening, it's reassuring to know that by keeping your dog at a reasonable weight, you can reduce their chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, orthopaedic problems, and possibly even cancer.
To determine whether your dog is overweight, stand over them, look down and check for a waist— there should be a visible indentation behind the ribs. All dogs, regardless of breed should have a waist. Then give your pooch a hands-on test. Can you feel their ribs? They shouldn't be sticking out, but you should be able to find them through a layer of skin and muscle, and be able to easily count them. If all you feel is rolls of fat, it's time to begin a diet and exercise plan.
Feed your dog properly
If you feed your dog a prepared pet food, the label on the package will provide a guideline as to how much to feed daily. These recommendations are a guideline only and you should make adjustments according to your dog's individual needs. Don't forget to take into account the calories in treats and other titbits they eat—these shouldn't make up more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake.
Get enough exercise
Try to exercise your dog as much as they are able. The more muscle they maintain, the more calories they'll burn and the less fat they'll carry. Not only that, but when you fill a dog's time with fun activities, they'll spend less time hanging around the food bowl. This increased activity won't just benefit your dog, it will benefit you too.
Simple weight loss tips
- Instruct family members and visitors not to give your dog any treats or table scraps.
- Don't give your dog one heaped bowl of food that they can eat whenever they want. Instead, measure out the daily food amount and seal in a container. You can then offer this over two to four small measured meals a day so you can regulate the portions.
- Consider using food puzzle toys as a way to feed your dog (rather than only from their bowl). This keeps them mentally stimulated through food-based enrichment.
- Start keeping a record of your dog's weight. If possible, weigh them once a week.
- If you have more than one dog, feed them separately. That way, your overweight dog won't have access to that 'second helping.'
- To keep your dog from begging for food, feed them before you have your own meals. It's also a great idea to keep the dog out of the room at family mealtimes.
- If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure that all of your garbage cans have secure covers. (That applies to indoor garbage cans, too!)
- Keep lots of clean, fresh water available.
Finally, be sure to take your dog to your veterinarian for a check-up and expert advice. Your vet may give you guidelines on exercise that's appropriate for your dog's age and health as well as specific advice on how much they should be eating. Your vet can also check for, and treat, any weight-related problems.
