What should I do about my overweight dog?
Just like any human, it is easy for a dog to put on unwanted
pounds. Sadly, overweight dogs have shorter life-spans and lead
less happy lives. They are also more susceptible to a number of
medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart problems, skin
conditions and arthritis.
Keeping your dog slim and trim is therefore an important
part of maintaining his overall health.
What to look out for
Because dogs vary so much in size and shape it can be
difficult to determine if yours is overweight. When you pet him
on his side you should be able to feel his ribs but they
shouldn't be visible. When he extends his body (for example, if
he jumps) the ribs should be visible. And when you look at your
dog from above he should have a distinctive waist in front of
his hips.
Some broader, more muscular breeds can hide excess weight
fairly easily. Your vet will be able to make an accurate
assessment of his weight and physical fitness, determining if
he is overweight and for what reason. Why is he
overweight?
Most dogs are overweight because of over-feeding and it's
all too easy to understand why. They are frequently trained
with food as a reward and we quickly learn just how happy a
special treat will make them.
Talk to your vet about weight management
nutrition
Your vet can recommend one of Hill's Prescription Diet
weight management products. They are available
also smaller "Mini" breeds, with a smaller,
easier-to-chew kibble for smaller breed dogs.
- Specifically formulated to help your small breed dog lose
weight safely and efficiently whilst still satisfying his
hunger during the weight loss, Prescription Diet r/d Canine
Mini is clinically proven to reduce body fat by up to 22% in
just 2 months
Some tips
Your vet is the best person to help you set a healthy feeding
programme for an overweight dog but these tips should also give
good results:
- Puppies should have three meals a day and adult dogs only
two. Your dog can easily go two days or even longer without
food and suffer no harm.
- If you fill your dog's bowl every time it is empty or are
feeding him more than two daily meals then you ought to cut
down. Use the feeding guides on packs of food for the correct
portions.
- Your dog no doubt loves food from your table but this is
not a great way to give him his daily calories. Table
treating can also lead to excessive begging.
- Go easy on the treats. Most of them are formulated to be
extra tasty and that means extra calories. Too many, and
you'll struggle to maintain portion control.
- Dogs tend to know where the next treat is coming from. If
necessary, ask your neighbours and family not to hand out
treats.
- Make sure your dog has a couple of good walks each day,
this will help keep his metabolism up and appetite down.
- Your dog may need special weight controlling food. Even
if he prefers his old food, persevere. Remember, he can go
several days without food. When he gets hungry, he will
eventually get used to the new food. Always supply plenty of
fresh water.
Your vet is an expert in pet nutrition and should
be consulted before making any changes to your dog's diet. You
can also ask at your next visit for a free weight check - this
will also confirm if your dog is overweight and your vet would
recommend a course of action to ensure your dog remains happy
and healthy.