When it comes to weight, dogs are similar to people. They need to be at a healthy weight to live long, productive lives. To lose weight, they must eat the right foods in the right amounts and exercise regularly. Evaluate your dog's eating habits as a first step toward helping your dog lose weight safely.
Things You'll Need
- Healthy treats
Instructions
Ensure that you are feeding your dog recommended amounts, based on your veterinarian's recommendations and the type of food you serve. Cutting back on portion sizes may be a simple way to help your dog lose weight.
Look into whether your pet is getting too many treats and snacks from family members. Your dog may not be overeating at mealtimes, but an overload of treats may be causing weight gain.
Put out your dog's food at mealtimes, but don't leave bowls of food out all day. Dogs who have constant access to food may nibble throughout the day and eat far more calories than they would if they ate at specific, set times. Make sure all members of the household are on board with the feeding schedule so that your dog can lose weight.
Increase the amount of exercise your dog gets each day. Like humans, dogs must expend more calories than they take in to lose weight. Take your dog on a walk, play fetch, wrestle or play tug-of-war. Any activity you provide adds up over time and helps your dog to lose weight and get in shape.
Ensure that your dog gets regular veterinary checkups. If cutting portion sizes and increasing exercise doesn't result in weight loss, your veterinarian may investigate whether a medical condition is causing weight gain.