How to Help My Dog Lose Weight: A Complete Guide for a Healthier Pup

Obesity is becoming a serious concern for pet parents in the U.S. The 2022 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) survey reported that 59% of dogs in the United States were classified as either overweight or obese. Excess weight strains your dog’s joints, heart, and internal organs, making them more prone to illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more. 

Luckily, with the necessary adjustments to diet, exercise, and veterinary care, your dog can shed off unwanted pounds. When we help our dogs lose weight, we improve their quality of life and promote long-term health benefits. Maintaining a healthy weight promotes ease of mobility, enhances energy levels, and reduces the risk of severe medical conditions. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to help your dog lose weight safely and effectively, and why consistency and patience are very important.

How to Tell if Your Dog Needs to Lose Weight

Before starting a weight loss plan for your dog, it’s important to determine if they’re overweight. Here’s how you can know if your dog needs to lose weight:

• Visual Cues: Overweight dogs often have evident bulging of the belly, extra fat around the ribs, or a reduced ability to move compared to their normal weight counterparts. If your dog's stomach hangs low, or you can't feel their ribs easily without pressing, they've probably gained extra weight.
  
• Behavioral Signs: Slower movement, lack of energy, and reduced activity indicate that your dog's weight is affecting their health. Other dogs also become reluctant to play, run, or engage in activities they once enjoyed due to the strain of extra pounds on their body.
  

Body Condition Score (BCS)

The Body Condition Score (BCS) is one of those handy instruments vets use to determine if your dog’s weight is healthy. The BCS scale ranges from 1 to 9, with ideal scores between 4 and 5. Research done by Chun et al. (2019) in the Journal of Animal Science and Technology found that a score of 5 or above typically shows that your dog is overweight. It’s important to note that certain breeds are more inclined to gain weight than others, and what is normal in one breed can be considered overweight in a different one.

Weighing Your Dog

Weigh your dog on a regular basis to monitor their progress. You can weigh smaller dogs on a scale at home, while you’ll need to see the vet for larger dogs. Most dogs do well with a slow and steady weight loss plan. According to Gillie et al.’s article published in the Journal of Veterinary Sciences, dogs should lose weight at a rate of about 1-2% weekly to prevent them from losing muscle mass alongside fat.

Consult Your Veterinarian: A Key First Step

Before embarking on a weight loss regimen with your dog, consult your veterinary healthcare team. Your veterinarian can first rule out medical causes for weight gain, such as Cushing's disease or hypothyroidism. You need to treat these conditions first before commencing your dog’s weight-loss journey.

The Role of Your Vet in Dog Weight Loss

Veterinarians will guide you on the right path for your dog's weight loss. They can determine how much weight your dog should lose based on breed, age, and health history. This will also make the weight loss gradual, so your dog doesn’t develop any nutritional deficiencies or lose muscle mass.

Setting a Realistic Weight Loss Goal

Your veterinarian will help you establish a new diet plan that works for your dog. Dogs shouldn’t lose weight quickly to preserve lean muscle. Instead of trying to achieve quick results, work with a gradual weight loss plan. A safe goal would be to lose about 1-2% of total body weight per week.

Tailored Supplements for Your Dog’s Unique Needs

Your veterinary team is best positioned to recommend a specific weight loss plan with appropriate caloric intake, portion sizes, supplements, and exercise recommendations that meet your dog’s age, breed, and health condition.

For instance, our vet-approved K9 Slim supplement for weight loss can give your dog the happy life they deserve. We specially formulate it to flush out fat-storing obesogens, kick start metabolism in 24 hours, support joint health and mobility, and reduce inflammation naturally. It also helps your pup eat less without feeling hungry.

Take the first step today to help your dog live a long and healthy life with the right weight management plan. You can amplify their weight-loss journey with our best gut health supplements for dogs, such as the 360 Support Bundle, Gut Health Bundle, Tummy Essentials Digestive Chews, and K9 Belly Bliss, to support digestive health and overall wellness.

Adjusting Your Dog’s Diet to Help Them Lose Weight

Diet is one of the major considerations for weight loss. If your dog has gained extra fat, introduce new foods that support weight loss without compromising their nutritional intake.

Understanding Calorie Intake and Dog Nutrition

Weight loss occurs when your dog takes in fewer calories than they expend. Reducing your dog's calorie intake by approximately 10-20% will help them lose weight. However, avoid cutting calories drastically to preserve muscle mass.

The amount of food your dog needs also depends on how much exercise they can handle. If your dog is more active, they'll need slightly more calorie content than a less active dog. Work with your vet to find the right balance.

Choosing the Right Dog Food

Choose a high-quality dog food that’s low in calories but rich in essential nutrients. Introduce new foods rich in fiber, amino acids, and protein to help your dog feel full and satisfied without additional calories. You can also look for low-calorie options formulated specifically for weight management.

Portion Control and Feeding Guidelines

Dogs can easily become overweight if you overfeed them. Use a measuring cup or a scale to determine the correct portion size based on your dog's ideal weight. You can begin by reducing their leftover food portions or by forgoing high-calorie treats that don't add nutritional value. Offer low-calorie treats instead, such as baby carrots or green beans.

Feeding Schedule and Treats

Smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day will also ensure your dog doesn’t overeat. You can also cut down on the number of commercial treats or offer low-calorie treats to lower your dog's calorie intake.

Tracking Progress and Adjusting Portions

As your dog starts to lose weight, you’ll have to adjust their food intake. If your dog is still losing weight slowly, this may mean their current calorie intake is still too high. Adjust portions appropriately or consult your vet for further advice.

Exercise: A Vital Component of Weight Loss

In addition to diet changes, exercise is crucial in helping your dog lose weight and maintain its muscle tone. Exercise will help them burn calories and keep your dog mentally stimulated while promoting overall health.

Importance of Regular Exercise

Physical activity burns calories and increases metabolic rate. Additionally, it improves muscle tone and, when combined with proper nutrition, helps prevent the loss of lean muscle required for a healthy metabolism.

Types of Exercise for Weight Loss:

• Walking: One of the easiest ways to get your dog moving is by going for regular walks. Walking at a moderate pace for 20-30 minutes a day can significantly help burn off extra calories.
  
• Fetching: A game of fetch is a great way to get your dog running around. The more exercise they receive, the better.
  
• Swimming: This is a low-impact exercise, perfect for helping geriatric dogs or those with joint issues burn calories.

It's important to start with a slow pace and increase the intensity of your dog’s workouts. If they’re overweight or a senior, start slowly, build up with daily walks, and gradually increase the duration or intensity as they become more accustomed to exercising.

Consistency and Patience: Key to Successful Weight Loss

Helping your dog lose weight needs a lot of patience and consistency. Weight loss doesn't come overnight, but it comes with persistence.

Sticking to a Routine

Consistency in feeding, exercise, and monitoring is key to helping your dog achieve their normal weight. Sticking to a daily routine ensures that your dog's metabolism stays in balance, and it helps prevent weight gain from uneaten food or inconsistent eating habits.

Tracking Your Dog’s Progress

Track your dog’s weight, eating habits, and exercise levels to monitor progress. Make adjustments as needed. Consult with your veterinary healthcare team if your dog’s weight loss has plateaued to determine the cause and modify the plan appropriately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Overdoing It

Some pet owners hurry along this process, seeking quick results. However, rapid weight loss can quickly result in muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, and even health complications. It’s always safer to aim for slow weight loss over a longer period.

Not Adjusting for Age and Breed Differences

Older dogs, geriatric dogs, and smaller dogs may have different caloric needs than younger, more active ones. If you don’t adjust the plan based on your dog's age or breed, it can result in steady weight gain or too little progress.

Not Providing Enough Mental Stimulation

When dogs aren't stimulated mentally, they usually resort to overeating due to boredom. Make sure to keep your dog occupied using interactive toys, food puzzles, or training sessions to minimize over-snacking.

When to Seek Professional Help: Specialized Weight Loss Programs

If your dog is seriously overweight or hasn’t responded to the changes in diet and exercise, seek professional help. Your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist can formulate a weight loss plan specifically for your dog's needs. Specialized weight loss programs may also involve prescription foods, supplements, or other interventions that help your dog lose weight effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Dog Lose Weight By Walking?

Yes, walking your dog is a fun and excellent form of exercise that can help them lose weight. It increases their daily physical activity and helps burn calories, contributing to a healthier weight. Regular exercise can significantly improve your dog's health and help them shed extra pounds. If combined with a low-calorie diet and smaller meal portions, walking becomes an effective tool in helping your dog reach their target weight.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Lose Weight?

The time it takes for your dog to lose weight depends on certain factors, including their starting weight, age, and exercise routine. So, a healthy dog should achieve a weight loss of approximately 1-2% of its total body weight per week. This means it could take several weeks to months to reach their ideal weight, and it requires patience and consistency for your dog to achieve a normal weight without compromising muscle mass.

What Is the Best Exercise for an Overweight Dog?

Some excellent exercises for overweight dogs include walking, swimming, and gentle play. Walking is perfect because it’s low-impact and you can comfortably tailor it to your dog’s speed. Swimming will help obese dogs because it works the entire body without putting any weight on their joints. Daily exercise needs to be gradual, starting slow to avoid injury. When they start to gain strength, you can increase the intensity of workouts to burn more calories and improve their fitness level.

Is 2 Walks a Day Enough for a Dog?

For many dogs, two walks a day can provide sufficient daily exercise. However, the amount of exercise depends on your dog’s breed, age, and current level of fitness. Some dogs, especially larger or more active breeds, require more than two walks a day to stay healthy and maintain their normal weight. If your dog begs for more activity, consider adding a few play sessions or other forms of exercise, like fetch, to meet their needs.

What Is the 5-Second Rule for Walking Dogs?

The 5-second rule suggests that if your dog takes more than five seconds to sniff or mark territory during a walk, it’s a sign that they need to change pace or direction. Many dogs tend to stop and sniff excessively during walks, which can slow down the walk and reduce the calorie-burning effect. If your dog stops to mark territory or sniff for too long, gently encourage them to keep moving. This helps ensure they stay active and engaged during their walks, supporting weight management.

Conclusion: Help Your Pup Live a Longer, Healthier Life

"How to help my dog lose weight" is a common concern among pet parents because a healthy weight for your pup is important to their overall well-being. You can help your dog lose weight safely and improve their quality of life by focusing on a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, and working closely with your veterinary healthcare team.

Start by consulting your vet, adjusting your dog’s diet, and getting them moving. You can also improve their health with products like Pup Labs’ K9 Slim, designed to support your dog’s weight loss journey and overall wellness.

References

• Chun, J. L., Bang, H. T., Ji, S. Y., Jeong, J. Y., Kim, M., Kim, B., ... & Kim, K. H. (2019). A simple method to evaluate body condition score to maintain the optimal body weight in dogs. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 61(6), 366.
  
• Gille, S., Fischer, H., Lindåse, S., Palmqvist, L., Lärka, J., Wolf, S., ... & Söder, J. (2023). Dog owners’ perceptions of canine body composition and effect of standardized education for dog owners on body condition assessment of their own dogs. Veterinary Sciences, 10(7), 447.
  
• Pet Obesity, U. S. (2022). Prevalence Survey. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.