Is My Dog Overweight?
Obesity is a growing epidemic in our pet population, with studies showing that up to 60% of dogs are overweight or obese (https://www.petfoodindustry.com/nutrition/article/15463180/infographic-top-5-obesity-related-problems-in-dogs-cats). This excess weight puts dogs at higher risk for serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancer. If your veterinarian says your dog is overweight, it’s important not to take it personally. Instead, have an open conversation about your dog’s health and work together to create a reasonable weight loss plan. With some diet changes, increased exercise, and your family’s help, you can get your dog back to a healthy weight safely.
Listen to Your Vet
Vets undergo years of extensive training to be able to properly assess an animal’s health and determine if they are at an optimal weight. According to the USDA, vets receive highly specialized training in areas like animal health and disease to become licensed veterinarians. Veterinary Services Training.
So if your vet tells you your dog is overweight, it’s important to listen. Vets base their assessment on factors like your dog’s body condition, age, breed, and health history. When a vet declares your dog is overweight, it means your dog likely does need to lose weight for the sake of their health and longevity. The vet has the expertise to make this assessment accurately.
Don’t Take it Personally
If your vet says your dog is overweight, try not to take it personally. Weight issues are actually very common in dogs according to the ASPCA, with nearly 60% of dogs in the US considered overweight or obese. So you and your dog are certainly not alone. Focus on doing what’s best for your dog’s health and wellbeing, not on any perceived judgment.
Remember that your vet has your dog’s best interests in mind. Try to view any feedback on your dog’s weight as helpful information, not criticism. Maintaining a healthy weight is about keeping your dog happy and extending his lifespan. Your vet wants to partner with you to do what’s right for your pet. Keep an open mind, ask questions, and work together on a plan.
Have an Open Conversation
When your vet says your dog is overweight, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation. Ask your vet to explain their assessment and provide specific numbers or data like your dog’s body condition score (source). Discuss your dog’s current diet, exercise routine, and any mitigating health factors that could be contributing to the weight gain.
Understanding the full context and having a constructive dialogue with your vet allows you to get on the same page about your dog’s health. Work together to come up with reasonable next steps and a weight loss plan you can realistically implement. Don’t be afraid to push back respectfully if your vet’s recommendations seem too drastic or unrealistic for your lifestyle. The key is finding a middle ground so you and your vet are aligned in doing what’s best for your pup.
Work Together On a Plan
Having an open and honest conversation with your veterinarian is key to creating an effective weight loss plan for your dog. Your vet will be able to provide guidance and oversight to ensure your dog loses weight safely and steadily. According to the 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines, your vet should outline specific diet changes, exercise goals, and a timeline for expected weight loss.
For diet, your vet may recommend reducing your dog’s caloric intake by 10-40%, depending on your dog’s current weight and breed. Recent data suggests average caloric intake for canine weight loss is 63 ± 10.2 kcal/kg0.75 over a 12 week period. Your vet can help calculate the right calorie target for your dog. They may also suggest switching to a weight management or low-calorie dog food.
For exercise, ask your vet for tips on gradually increasing your dog’s activity through walks, play time, or swimming. Avoid overexertion, especially for obese or older dogs. Your vet can advise on an appropriate exercise plan tailored to your dog’s needs and current fitness.
Discuss a realistic timeline for safe weight loss, such as 1-2% of body weight per week. Schedule follow-up visits to monitor your dog’s progress through weigh-ins and body condition scoring. Working closely with your vet is key to keeping your dog happy and healthy throughout their weight loss journey.
Make Diet Changes
Consult with your veterinarian to calculate the ideal daily calorie count for weight loss based on your dog’s size, age, and activity level. Then, transition to a vet-approved weight management dog food formulated with fewer calories. Portion control is key – ask your vet how much of the new food to feed per day and at what intervals.
Avoid giving your dog unhealthy treats, table scraps, or people food, which can be packed with empty calories. Occasional healthy treats like carrots or apples are OK in moderation. But overall, stick strictly to the recommended dog food diet. Feeding your dog the right portions of quality weight management food will help your dog lose weight safely and effectively.
Increase Exercise
One of the most effective ways to help an overweight dog lose weight is to increase their daily exercise. Start by adding a daily walk, aiming for 20-30 minutes at a brisk pace. If your dog is very overweight, start with shorter walks of 10-15 minutes and increase duration and distance gradually as they get fitter. Breaking the walk into two or three sessions can help an unfit dog start off easier.
In addition to walks, make sure to incorporate play time into your dog’s routine. Games like fetch, frisbee, or tug-of-war get them running around and burning calories. Take your dog swimming – it’s an ideal exercise for overweight pets as the water supports their joints while providing resistance. Look into dog sports like agility, flyball, or canicross which combine physical and mental exercise.
You can also enrich your dog’s environment with activities at home. Use puzzle toys containing treats to encourage foraging and physical activity. Hide treats around the house and let them hunt for their food. Make homemade obstacle courses and do short training sessions every day to keep them engaged and moving.
The key is providing your dog with at least 60 minutes of sustained exercise per day. Work this into their routine through walks, play time, and enriched activities to get them moving and rev up their metabolism.
Enlist Family Help
Losing weight is a team effort, so make sure to explain the diet and exercise changes to everyone in your household. Have a family meeting to go over the vet’s recommendations and emphasize why it’s important for your dog’s health to slim down. Make sure all family members, especially anyone who feeds or exercises the dog, understands the plan.
Consistency is key, so ensure your family follows the diet and exercise plan every day. Don’t allow any “cheat days” or slipping up on portions. Stick firmly to the vet-recommended calorie counts and exercise regimen. Consider posting reminders on the fridge or scheduling phone alerts to keep your family on track with measuring food and sticking to scheduled walks. Working together as a team will help your dog successfully slim down.
Celebrate Small Wins
Seeing the number on the scale go down can be very motivating for you and your dog. Weigh your dog at home weekly or monthly to track their progress. You don’t need an expensive scale – any human bathroom scale will work. Just weigh yourself, pick up your dog, and step on the scale again to measure the difference.
According to experts at the Vitamin Shoppe, you should reward your dog’s weight loss progress with praise and extra play time. Dogs love positive reinforcement. When your dog loses weight, tell them “good dog!” in an excited voice and give them a treat or play with a favorite toy. This will help motivate them to keep up the good work.
Seeing those numbers drop on the scale means your efforts are paying off. Celebrate your dog’s hard work with encouragement, affection, and fun. It will strengthen your bond and keep you both on track.
Stick with It
Losing weight can be a long process, especially for dogs that have a lot of weight to lose. It’s important to stick with the plan and not get discouraged. Remind yourself that this is about improving your dog’s health and potentially increasing their lifespan by up to 2.5 years (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11991408/).
There may be obstacles along the way or periods where your dog’s weight loss plateaus. Consult with your vet if you hit any bumps in the road or if your dog is not losing weight as expected. Your vet can adjust the diet, exercise routine, or provide other recommendations to get things back on track.
With consistency and commitment from you, your dog can successfully reach their target weight goal. The long-term benefits to their health and longevity make sticking with the weight loss plan worth the effort.