How to Get a Fat Puppy to Lose Weight

There's a saying with the sentiment "if your dog is overweight, you must not be getting enough exercise." Amusing as that may be, a lack of regular exercise is not the only reason why a puppy is overweight. An overweight puppy may have a medical condition that causes weight gain, or it may be that the pup is simply bullying his littermates for a larger portion of the food. You can resolve some puppy obesity problems by feeding him appropriate quantities of food for his age and breed, while you'll have to solve others with veterinary attention.

  1. Cause Identification

    • It is important to identify the cause of a puppy̵7;s weight gain to find a suitable solution. This depends partly on the age of the puppy and partly on its relative health. A puppy younger than 8 weeks may be fat because he is getting a larger share of the food. An enthusiastic new owner may be overfeeding a puppy that is weaned but younger than 6 months, or the puppy could be receiving insufficient exercise. If the puppy is lethargic as well as overweight, your veterinarian will test him for a medical condition such as hypothyroidism.

    Food Quantities

    • Weigh and record the quantity of food the puppy currently eats each day, including dog treats. Compare this with the recommended feeding amounts printed on the packaging of commercial foods, or ask your veterinarian for the ideal quantities for the breed of puppy and his age. Feed the puppy a portion-controlled diet by dividing the total food over four daily meals for a puppy between 2 and 4 months old, and three daily meals for a puppy between 4 and 6 months old.

    Feeding Schedule

    • Feed the puppy the recommended amount at the allocated time, and remove any food he doesn̵7;t finish. Give him his food separately from other pets so he is not under pressure to eat quickly. Make sure he has no access to his or other pets̵7; food between meals. Avoid giving him human treats such as cheese, sausage, table scraps and chocolate, which not only cause weight gain but can be unhealthy for him or even harmful.

    Sufficient Exercise

    • You must exercise a dog carefully. Avoid forcing or allowing a puppy under 6 months old to run for long distances or long periods. He should not undertake any form of agility or jumping exercises, other than natural activities, as premature stress on his bones might result in skeletal problems later in life. The dog should have the opportunity to run and play at least three times daily for an hour, or take walks on a long leash so he is able to roam and explore. This will help tire him out and prevent destructive behavior resulting from frustration.