Ways to Help a Chocolate Lab Lose Weight

Obesity is the number one nutritional problem in dogs, and a strict diet can actually extended their life. In a 14-year study sponsored by Nestle Purina PetCare, dogs who were fed to an ideal body condition lived almost two years longer than overweight dogs. If your lab is overweight, there are a few simple changes that can make a difference in longevity. By changing its diet and providing at least 30 minutes exercise each day, you can help your lab lose weight and live a longer, fuller and happier life.

  1. Diet

    • One of the easiest ways to help your lab lose weight is by changing its diet. Try switching to a reduced calorie dog food. These can be found either in the supermarket or at specialty pet stores. Also, it is important to resist feeding your lab scraps from the table. While it can be tempting when a dog begs for food, remember you are only adding to your pet's weight problem and possibly shortening its life span.

    Exercise

    • Just like people, labs need plenty of exercise. As dogs age, they are not as active as they were as puppies. If your dog spends most of the day in the house, it probably spends most of the day sleeping instead of running around. Take your dog for a walk each day, or play a rousing game of fetch. While it doesn't have to be complex, getting your dog up and out for 30 minutes a day will help reduce its waistline.

    Schedule

    • Dogs are creatures of habit, and need structure, rules and a schedule to keep them at their healthiest. Keep your lab to a feeding routine; do not feed it snacks continuously throughout the day. This gives your dog a sense of reliability and dependability. Knowing that its food will be put out at a specific time each day discourages the dog from wolfing it down and quickly becoming hungry again. By feeding your lab at the same time each day, your dog is more willing to wait until the next feeding.