Does your dog need a diet? Weight loss is a tough subject, for humans and pets alike! It’s a challenge, especially when we realize we may have spent the winter months on the couch a bit too much, or perhaps eaten one too many desserts. But, for our pets (and for us!), losing weight can add years to their lives and make those years healthier and happier.

The most recent veterinary surveys tell us that over half of our nation’s pets are either overweight or obese. Extra weight may seem to make them extra snuggly, but in reality, overweight pets are at risk for serious and debilitating health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and high blood pressure.

Helping your pet to lose weight might be easier than you think. Below, our team gears up to answer the question, does my dog need a diet, or just more exercise?

Does My Dog Need a Diet?

First things first. As with any weight loss plan, let’s first do a comprehensive physical exam to make sure your pet is generally healthy. It’s amazing how many do-it-yourself diets for pets fail because the cause of weight gain was disease, not overeating or lack of exercise. So, let us help make sure that your pet doesn’t have an underlying condition that would make healthy weight loss impossible.

Next, let us help you learn your dog’s body condition score. This tool is used by veterinarians to determine if your dog needs a diet, and we can show you how to use it.

A Plan for Success

You may have guessed it, a successful weight loss plan should be individually tailored to your pet. Age, breed, and overall health all play a role in determining how and what we should feed, as well as what exercise to incorporate. Yes, diet and exercise are both important! Weight loss for your pet may be easier than you think. It just takes knowledge, commitment, and the assistance of your team at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital.

Here are some things you can do to start.

Count calories – Even if your dog needs a diet, a weight loss plan can’t be successful if you don’t know how many calories your dog needs. We use a simple calculation to figure this out. Of course, metabolism and your dog’s current weight and activity level need to be factored in.

Measure and manage – The old business adage, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”, applies to pet weight loss, too. Once you know how many calories your dog needs, make sure you carefully measure out their food for every meal. Make sure all the people who feed your dog in your family are on the same page.

Treat zone – This is a tricky one for some people. You can still treat your dog! But be sure to factor in these calories to your dog’s overall daily intake. Some commercially prepared treats are nothing but empty calories, so talk to us about single ingredient treats and healthier options, such as raw carrots, green beans, blueberries, or a dollop of cooked and unseasoned sweet potato.

Exercise daily – This is where things get really fun! Most of the time, dog walks are actually not enough activity. You know the routine: walk a few steps, stop, sniff, walk a few more steps, repeat. In order to be effective for weight loss, you should walk with your dog at a pace that has you lightly perspiring after a few minutes, with little stopping. Aim for a brisk, daily 30 minute walk.

Try to play with your dog twice a day for 5-15 minutes, as well. Swimming is also a great exercise for dogs, as it is low impact. Ask us about how to start an exercise routine; starting slowly is important for your dog’s safety.

Check it out – Once you’ve embarked on a weight loss plan for your dog, it’s critical to check to see that it is working. Each dog is an individual, and so we’ll want to monitor progress closely. Talk to us about periodic and regular weight checks at our clinic.

Some dogs will need a specific diet food in order to achieve weight loss. Again, every dog is different, so don’t hesitate to call us with any questions. And, if you’d like to share your own tips from the pet weight loss trenches, let us know!