How to Tackle Your Dog’s Weight Issue
Part of the reason you love your furry best friend is for their companionship — exploring the great outdoors with you, sitting out on the patio of your favorite brewery, or being your co-pilot on errands — our dogs are an extension of ourselves. Along with our very good and true habits, we also share with them, the not so good. Feeding them too many treats and sharing our food from the table with them. This sets up not only bad habits but can be bad for their health if they begin to pack on extra pounds.
A healthy weight is extremely important for your dog because it will affect their quality of life and slow them down quite a bit. At The Vet Set, we want your dog to be healthy and vibrant so they can accompany you in every adventure! We offer wellness consultations and weight management assistance in our vet clinic and in our mobile vet office. If your dog is struggling with a healthy weight, tune in to today’s blog for some helpful tips to keep them trim!
Why the Extra Weight Matters
In a human, a few extra pounds doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but in a dog, it can have serious health complications. Additional weight can shorten their life expectancy, energy, mood, and mobility. If your dog is beginning to show signs of added weight, talk with your veterinarian for guidance about your dog’s diet and a possible weight-loss plan, and if you are looking to take action now, below are tips to help your dog get healthier.
- Do research about your dog’s breed.
One of the first things that will be beneficial to your dog is knowing what their actual ideal weight should be because all breeds and ages have different healthy weight spectrums. There are many great resources, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) is one great place to begin. It is also important to consider that your dog may be taller or shorter than the standard for their breed, so take this into consideration when you are getting your dogs weight. If your dog is outside the normal range, you can connect with your vet to schedule an appointment to take an accurate look at their weight and test for any issues that may be causing the weight gain.
- Know your dog’s habits.
There is a big difference between begging and actual hunger, and it is very unlikely that your dog is starving. As owners, we love our dogs and we want to reciprocate the love and affection they so openly give us, and sometimes we do that through food. We give them a piece of chicken here and there just because, or we reward their good and adorable behavior with it too!
Begging is not always related to food either, sometimes it is an act to get more attention — this can become a bad habit because when the behavior is reinforced with food, of course, it is going to be reinforced in your dog to continue that behavior.
- Help your dog stay active.
Just as in humans, dogs need to stay active to keep a healthy weight. If your dog is gaining weight, exercise is a crucial piece in keeping them trim. Help stave the weight by giving them extra opportunities to shed the weight — go for extra long walks, throw the ball around a couple of more times each day, and take them to the dog park on the weekends. All dogs have different activity requirements that are pretty logical — larger dogs need more and smaller dogs need less. If you are curious about how much activity your dog needs, consult with your vet.
Think twice about table scraps and treats.
Think twice about table scraps and treats.This bad habit is purely a result of the owner, and may be one of the toughest ones to break! Exercise pause when your dog gives you the extra big dotting eyes, and refrain from feeding them treats and food scraps. These things are similar to giving candy to children — you don’t do it for every little thing — so the same goes for your dog.
If you are using treats for training, look for healthier food options, or consider a clicker for reinforcement. Work on keeping your dog healthy and fight the urge to treat them for everything.
- Be proactive about their weight plan.
If you went to the vet and they put your dog on a food-restricted diet, ensure you are proactive and follow their recommendations. Measure their food and be consistent with this, as this is a healthy way to help control their weight.
- Gradually transition to another dog food.
If your vet recommended a diet dog food, ease your dog into it instead of going cold turkey. A seven-day transition day is vet recommended and includes:
Days 1 and 2: Feed your dog 75 percent of their old food and introduce 25 percent of their new food.
Days 3 and 4: Add 50 percent of their new food and 50 percent of their old food.
Days 5 and 6: Mix 75 percent of their new food with 25 percent of their old food.
Day 7: Strive towards 100 percent of their new food!
- Get creative with your dog’s food.
If you have sworn off dog treats for a while, you can still give them healthy and nutritious food that they will love! A couple times a week, cook for your dog. Prepare a meat, combine it with dog-friendly veggies, and mix it with a simple gravy or broth. This not only gives them a little treat, but it also is excellent for their gut health and any food sensitivities they may have.
Cutting carbs can also be advantageous for your dog’s health, as most don’t need an influx of them. A large majority of commercial dog foods on the market are roughly 60 percent carbs, so talk with your vet about a higher protein, low-grain dog food option; this may also be helpful in weight loss and balance.
- Be consistent.
Because you are the sole provider to your dog’s health, it is imperative that you are consistent in feeding them well, giving them proper exercise, and limiting their treats. Weight in dogs is very similar to humans, and research has found that dogs who lose weight are more likely to gain it back. If you can establish good habits and stay consistent you can set your dog up for success!
If your dog is beginning to show the signs of gaining a little extra weight, be proactive and talk with your vet about how to guide your dog towards a healthy weight loss.
To schedule a visit from The Vet Set for a wellness consultation, connect with us today!