How can my dog lose weight?

To make your dog lose weight, you can use different methods. Pay attention to food, exercise and behavior. Go for an extra walk or try to spoil a little less. There are many different possibilities that you can read here.

Two million dogs are kept as pets. Many of these four-legged friends are spoiled. It is estimated that about 35% of dogs are overweight or even obese. In this blog we discuss the causes and dangers of being overweight and how you can get your dog back in top shape.

Obesity in dogs can have several causes. Often it is an incorrect balance between diet and exercise. However, obesity can also have medical causes. If your dog has a health problem, suddenly behaves differently or is clearly unhealthy, you should have your dog examined by a veterinarian. It is also wise to consult your veterinarian if you have put your dog on a diet and you hardly notice that your dog is losing weight. In this case, a health problem, such as an abnormal thyroid gland, may be playing a role.

Causes of obesity in dogs

Is your dog too fat? Then there are a number of things to consider. Just like us, obesity in dogs is caused by eating too much and not exercising enough. When your dog does not exercise enough and uses little energy, he has energy left over. If this happens every day, your dog will become overweight. Where does it go wrong? Many dog owners fill their food bowl without reading the packaging to see how much food their dog is allowed to eat. The packaging usually states how much food a dog of a certain weight may eat per day.

It is wise to weigh food with a measuring cup. This way you never give unnecessarily too much. Then we come with that pleading look from your faithful four-legged friend. This is often how dogs manage to get an extra snack. But these snacks often contain a lot of energy, which makes dogs too fat. Therefore, use special training cookies when training and walking, a small bonus. Owners sometimes forget that a toy or a pat on the head can also be seen as a reward. So it does not always have to be a cookie. What you can also do is weigh the food and put it in a bowl. If you go for a walk or exercise afterwards, just eat a few pieces of your daily food.

Eat less to lose weight

In addition to food, overeating can also lead to weight gain, as the dog has much less energy. A neutered dog can usually eat a third less than before. You can choose to switch to specific foods once they are pureed or cooked. Of course, the age of your dog also plays a role. An older dog has less energy, which results in shorter walks, less playtime, and more sleep. Finally, some breeds are more likely to gain weight than others. Some examples include the Beagle, Dachshund, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever.

Is my dog overweight?

There are several signs that you can see that you are overweight. First of all, the body shape of dogs with a healthy weight is different from that of obese dogs. You can see how this shape will look in the image below. You can also calculate the ideal weight of your dog, given by your veterinarian. Of course, the ideal body weight varies from breed to breed, as well as between males and females of the same breed. If you have a mixed breed or dead dog, it can be difficult to calculate the exact weight. In this case, it is very useful for an expert to contact you.

If you look at your dog from above, you should be able to see the size behind the ribs. If you look at your dog from the side, the belly will stick out behind the ribs. You can also feel if your dog is too big. This is especially useful for long-haired breeds. The shape of the body is then not clearly visible through the fur. When you pet your dog, you can feel its ribs, but they cannot see them. Then your dog is too thin. Can you no longer feel the ribs? Then your dog is too big. An overweight dog will be less fit than a healthy dog.

You will notice that your dog gets tired more quickly when walking and does not want to play for a long time. Also, an overweight dog will warm up more quickly during the hot summer months and your dog will start panting sooner. Dogs that have gained a few extra pounds are often very focused on food and therefore often hungry. Does your faithful four-legged friend stand next to you as soon as you hear something rustling? Does he open his eyes wide and even start drooling? Well, then you know enough. When your cute dog even gets comments on the street about his “exciting looks”, you know for sure: my dog needs to lose weight.

The first step is to weigh your dog. This can be done at your vet, but often also at your local pet shop. Your vet or shop specialist can then determine the ideal weight for your dog. You can use individual scales for small breeds. Can the dog not sit still? Then pick it up and stand together. Then step on the scale alone and subtract your own weight from the weight of your joint. Your dog is overweight if he weighs five to ten percent more than his ideal weight. Between fifteen and twenty percent is obesity or obese.

Overweight Dogs: Danger and Risk

The motto “fat people are society” is also often applied to overweight dogs that look cozy and touching with their swaying bellies. But nothing could be further from the truth! Research shows that overweight dogs live an average of two years less than thin dogs. And of course you want to keep your dog with you for as long as possible. In addition, an overweight dog is at risk of certain diseases and conditions. For example, the joints of an obese dog wear out much faster and he often suffers from fat deposits and skin diseases.

Overweight dogs also have difficulty breathing and are in poor physical condition. In female dogs, being overweight can lead to problems during pregnancy and in some cases puppies need to be delivered by caesarean section. Many owners do not realise that their dog’s overall defence is being overweight. Dogs get sick more easily and wounds heal less well. All things you want to save your beloved four-legged friend.

My dog needs to lose weight, but how?

Losing weight or keeping your dog at a healthy weight can be done in different ways. You can start by giving your dog diet food. It is important that you weigh the portions well so that your dog uses less energy. Often the daily food can be divided into several portions. You can discuss this with your vet. The advantage of diet food is that your dog usually gets a normal amount of food. So he will not be hungry. He also gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs with this food.

Snacks should be kept to a minimum. If you do give a snack, make sure it is a healthy snack that is low in carbohydrates. By having someone to feed your dog and the snacks, you can keep track of exactly what your dog is getting each day. You can also prepare a treat jar with snacks that your dog can eat each day. This way the whole family can feed the dog delicious treats. So of course, disappearing is disappearing! If you want to reward your dog or train them, you can also just scoop the food from their weight. They usually like it! Don't be tempted by the pleading look.

In addition to nutrition, exercise is just as important for weight loss

If your dog is overweight, he needs more exercise. For example, you can put food in a special ball or distribute it in many small boxes in the house. In this way, the dog has to “work” for his food. Playing is also exercise! Fetching, playing frisbee, running along the bike or just pulling: all extra movements are included. In addition, playing is good for the bond between owner and dog. And as simple as that sounds, but also regularly walking an extra distance. Walking stimulates your dog both mentally and physically.

Of course, you should adjust the amount of exercise your dog gets and see what he can handle. Take into account the limitations, joint condition and age of your dog. Is your dog overweight or obese? Then swimming is a better option than walking and running. In water, it does not support its own weight and is better for the joints. The dog can also move more freely and exercise its muscles. Is your dog not a water rat? You can then put on a life jacket for extra support. Some dogs like to swim and run laps on their own. Other dogs need a bit more stimulation, for example in the form of a floating dog toy.

Once the dog loses weight and improves its condition, you can alternate swimming with walking and cycling. In addition to cycling, walking must first be learned. You should build up the distance slowly and purchase a bicycle rack so that your dog can ride safely next to you on the bike. An overweight dog due to a poor balance between food and exercise must lose weight with special food and possibly less and more exercise. Keep in mind that weight loss is gradual. For this you can maintain a weight loss of one to two percent of your body weight per week. Losing weight too quickly can lead to complications and is not beneficial for the overall health of your dog.