According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, nearly half of the dogs in the United States are overweight. We can safely say that it is not uncommon for dogs to be obese. Yet, the problem is, that obesity carries serious risks and health issues for your dog. Learning how to help dog lose weight is essential.
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You might say it is an easy process, just switch up the food, give less food, and that is it. But the problem is much more complex than that. Luckily, we are here to help you understand the issue and find a solution.
What causes dog obesity?
There are plenty of reasons for canine obesity. Among them, the most common ones are:
– Overfeeding, as many dog owners feed their dogs too much, without measuring their food intake
– Giving too many dog treats as a dog owner is another risk since treats also contain calories
– Health conditions like hyperthyroidism can cause your dog to gain weight
– Lack of exercise, a dog that doesn’t get enough exercise will gain weight, as simple as that
– Risk factors such as age, dogs gain weight as they age
– Genetics, certain dogs are predisposed to obesity because of their parents
Why is a healthy weight important for your dog?
Even a few pounds can make a difference in your dog’s life. If your dog is not at a healthy weight, he might be at risk of developing serious medical conditions. An overweight dog is at risk of:
– Luxating patella, or knee dislocation
– Type 2 diabetes that can be fatal
– High blood pressure
– Osteoarthritis and similar orthopedic diseases
– Kidney disease
– Different forms of cancer
More importantly, obese dogs tend to interact less with their family. They are not as energetic and playful as before. These dogs might tend to lay around more. You can easily overlook illnesses and attribute your dog’s lethargy to normal laziness.
But that is a risk you should not take.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow long does it take for a dog to lose weight?
Now, let’s talk about how to help dog lose weight. The first question a pet parent has is how long does it take? Generally speaking, dogs can achieve their ideal weight within six to eight months. A healthy weight loss is between 1 and 5 pounds per month, based on the size of your dog and current condition.
If you want a more mathematical formula, weight loss should be between 3 and 5 percent of body weight per month. Make a dog weight loss plan and stick to it.
How much exercise does your dog need?
We cannot give a clear answer here. Some dogs are happy with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise per day. Others, for example working breeds like Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, terrier breeds, and more, need at least 45 minutes of physical exercise per day.
Now, one might say that generally speaking, dogs need a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day.
But you have to take into consideration the breed, age, and weight of your dog.
How to walk your dog for exercise?
If your goal is to counter dog obesity, the first step is to make your walk a brisk one. What does that mean?
Well, in simplest terms, it means starting with the hard effort first and then going slower. Often, pet parents begin the walk by allowing their dog to sniff and smell everything. You will have a hard time getting your dog up to speed if you allow him to sniff at every step.
What you can do is draw the leash close, within two to four feet of your body. Once you pull your dog close to your left side, set off at a pace you feel comfortable sustaining. In most cases, that is 12-17 minutes per mile pace. This should feel like a brisk walk. Do not use a retractable leash if you plan to walk your dog as part of the exercise program.
The key here is to keep it up and don’t stop. Continue walking straight ahead, and tighten the leash if you need to. CAUTION: Do not jerk your dog. Instead, teach commands like “no stop”, “come”, “continue”, “speed up”, and so on.
Your dog should understand that you two have places to go and that this is a different walk than your casual walk.
What are some other exercise activities?
Besides using walking as an exercise opportunity, there are plenty of other ways to get your dog to spend extra calories. Here are some options.
Visit the dog park or schedule a play date
I would rather choose a play date with dogs that you know. Not all dogs in the dog park are friendly and want to play with your dog. Heck, even your dog might not want to play with all the dogs there.
A better idea is to schedule a play session with someone you know or check some groups/pages online for hanging out with dogs.
Play fetch
I have to remind you, that not all dogs love to play fetch. Some are natural, for example, Retriever breeds. But try doing that with a Siberian Husky. If your pet is not used to the activity, work on training your dog to fetch and bring back things.
Take a hike
Hiking is one of the best ways to exercise your puppy. It is different from walking in many ways. Yes, during hiking, your dog will stop and sniff and everything in between. But he will also walk uphill, and run to catch up. Me and my dog Milo practice hiking once per week to keep him at a healthy weight.
Try a flirt pole
If you have a herding breed, terrier breed, or other breeds with high prey drive, nothing beats the flirt pole. This toy is amazing for dogs that have a strong desire to chase something.
Think of it as a gigantic cat toy, but has a lure on the end that will keep your furry friend interested in chasing.
And the best part about the flirt pole is you do not have to move or run with your dog. You can stand in one spot and have your dog play.
Go swimming
The next activity for helping your dog lose weight is swimming. Most dogs love water. It is a great and low-impact exercise that helps in so many ways. Besides providing physical exercise, swimming can reduce stress and inflammation in the joints.
Swimming is perfect for overweight dogs.
Climbing stairs
If you live in an apartment, stop using the elevator to get home. A small change like going up and down the stairs will help you and your puppy stay in shape.
Use an interactive toy
For a senior dog, one of the better ways to provide physical exercise and mental stimulation is interactive feeding toys. A treat-dispensing ball will do wonders for your puppy at home.
Just remember, do not give a lot of treats. A good idea is to implement the treat-dispensing ball into the dinner meal or lunch. For example, instead of giving your dog food in a bowl, make him work for it with an interactive toy.
How to introduce a new food to your dog?
Another aspect of how to help dog lose weight is switching to a lower-calorie food. Now, switching to a new food is not an easy process.
You should do it gradually to avoid any digestive upset. Start by substituting one-quarter of the diet for one to two days, and then increase to one-half of the total volume. Continue gradually until you full switch the food of your dog.
What to do if your dog begs for food?
Begging for food is a recipe for an overweight dog. As simple as that. If you concede to his begging, you are hurting your dog more than you are helping. Now, you might say my dog will be happy. But you are knowingly reducing his chances of a happy healthy prosperous life.
One trick you can do is substitute food for affection. Pet your dog or play with him when he begs for food. Or, you can walk your pet when he begs for food. That small distraction and interaction might be enough.
What about giving treats?
One thing that most pet parents forget is the 90/10 rule. That means 90% of your dog’s calories should come from dog food, and only 10% from treats.
Speaking of treats, I suggest giving vegetables as treats. They are low-calorie delights, and there are plenty of options available on the market.
For example, healthy treats like baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, or anything else you want and is safe for your puppy.
How to monitor your dog’s weight loss journey?
If you stick to a dog weight loss plan, your dog should lose weight by six to eight months. It is important to monitor the process and keep track of it.
You should weigh your dog every 2 weeks. If your dog is not losing excess weight, you might need to restrict the daily calorie intake further. Make sure nobody in the house is cheating and giving your dog extra food or treats.
Remember, it is a process. Do not rush weight loss. The same applies to humans and dogs. You cannot get a bikini body in two weeks. And you cannot expect your dog to shed pounds in a month. It is a long process, but small and consistent small decisions help. You can give your dog some table scraps. Do it once, and it is OK. But doing it consistently for years, then it is a problem.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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