Overweight Dog?

There could be a number of reasons why your dog is overweight. It might be overeating or a medication they are taking. No matter what is is, it is something you need to address as soon as possible. The extra weight that your dog is carrying around could encourage serious health concerns to develop. Diabetes, heart disease and respiratory problems in dogs are often caused by obesity. As the owner, it is your responsibility to get your dog’s weight issue under control before these issues arise. As well as talking to your vet, use the tips in this guide to help get your dog back to a healthy weight in no time.

Refer to a feeding guide

Whether you buy your dog’s food from a store or bake dog treats at home, you need to know how many calories your dog needs. You can find useful feeding guides online which will tell you approximately how many calories your dog need. These are usually per week and will differ depending on the size of your dog. Work out how many calories your dog eats currently and compare it to the recommended amount on the guide. You might be unintentionally feeding them more than they need. It’s also worthwhile knowing exactly how much your dog currently weighs. Make an appointment with your vet to get an accurate reading and to gain further advice on their daily intake.

Introduce meal times

Another way to help your dog lose weight is by introducing set meal times for them to abide by.  Like humans, dogs will often eat when they are bored. If their owners feed them as and when they like, they could be overeating as a result. Talk to your vet about suitable meal times and how to cope if your dog starts to beg for food. You should also be triple checking the portion sizes to make sure they are getting the right amount. To make this part of the process easier, invest in a timed feeder that released portions of food at set times. Your dog will soon get used to their new routine and stop begging.

Boost their active time

Many dogs are not getting the daily exercise they require to stay healthy. This makes it easier for them to pile on the pounds and gain excess weight. It also stops their muscles and joints from being as strong and flexible as they should be. The best way to encourage them to lose weight is by boosting their outdoor activity time. You can install a Tether Tug Outdoor Dog Toyinto your yard or take them to a nearby agility course. Swimming in lakes and pools and taking walks around local parks is also ideal. Use toys and praise to treat them while they exercise to provide encouragement. Get creative by taking them to new places and be enthusiastic. Ideally, you should be exercising your dog for at least 30 minutes per day. But this may vary depending on their age and breed.

Consistency, patience, and time will all be required during your dog’s weight loss process. But it will be all worthwhile when you start to see a positive difference in their appearance and behavior.