Aug 28, 2024
When it comes to a dog’s appetite, nothing can stop it. It’s like an unstoppable force that doesn’t stop. While it may be tempting to give your dogs all the treats they want, we have to make sure we are taking care of their weight and nutrition as their caretakers. Unhealthy eating habits can lead to dog obesity. Dog obesity is a huge issue when it comes to our canine pals, and helping get back up falls on our hands.
What Causes Dogs to Gain Weight
Before knowing how to help dogs lose weight, we must first know more about the details. Canine obesity is an excess of body fat that adversely affects a dog’s health. In other words, it’s when dogs eat too much, and they start gaining weight at a dangerous level. Obesity can become seriously dangerous as it can compromise your dog’s health and happiness.
Lots of factors can contribute to obesity in your dogs, and some of these include:
Overfeeding
Many dog owners are guilty of this, and it’s overfeeding their dogs. Overfeeding can happen when we give additional portions, treats, and other heavy food that can quickly fatten your dogs up. When this goes on unmonitored, your dog will experience an increase in their weight.
The truth is we give food to show our love, and it feels rewarding to see our dogs happily munching away. But, just like us, dogs need a balanced diet to stay healthy. When overfeeding becomes a regular habit, it can contribute to unwanted weight gain, which, over time, can lead to more serious health issues.
Lack of Exercise
Dogs are very active dogs, and we all know this. From running to the mailman to chasing the neighborhood cats, all dogs love to run and play. However, when they lack physical activity and resort to lying down all day, they’ll lose the ability to burn off the calories from those sweet treats.
When dogs get used to such a relaxing lifestyle from being in a relaxed, small, and comfortable place, they might lose the chance to run around and exercise their legs. When we aren’t helping our dogs get the walks and playtimes they need to help them lose weight, this can put them at risk for obesity.
Breed-Specific Conditions
Certain breeds are conditioned to be more at risk for obesity. Whether you have Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, or Rottweilers, some dogs are just genetically doomed to have an easier time gaining weight.
In addition to this, some breeds have lower energy levels and can be more at risk for obesity. When they have less room for physical activities and playtimes, these dogs have a lower chance of losing weight.
Age and Hormones
Age can play a huge role in gaining weight. As dogs age, their bodies can become more weary, and they have a harder time processing food and maintaining their metabolism. Because of this, they can become more prone to obesity. This steady increase in age can also affect their hormones, leading to a higher risk for obesity.
Spaying and Neutering
While spaying and neutering are great options for giving your dogs good health benefits, they can alter your dog’s hormonal balance, which can lead to a slower metabolism for your dogs. When dogs have a slower metabolism, they might have a harder time processing the food in their bodies for energy, leading to a decrease in the rate of burning calories and less energy for playtimes.
How to Help Dogs Lose Weight
Helping your dog lose weight is simple when you’re dedicated to helping your best friend live a healthy and happy life. Just follow these steps, and you’ll see your dog back to its active and playful self!
Consult with the Experts
Before embarking on a weight loss plan, it’s crucial to consult with our vets. A professional health assessment can determine the cause of your dog’s weight gain and the steps that need to be taken. Our vets at JLT and DIP will examine your dog’s overall health, which includes its weight, body condition, and other conditions that could be a factor in its weight issue.
When we have all the assessment results we need, we can begin to create detailed plans to help your dog lose weight. The plan will include a detailed diet plan, exercise routines, and regular checkups to make sure we are making progress. These remedies and exercises can be done at home, which requires you to become an active part of helping your dog love weight.
Choose the Right Food
Choosing the right food for your dog is crucial for their weight loss journey. Use high-quality food and specially formulated dog food that is low in calories. These types of food will give your dogs the nutrients they need while still making them feel full and satisfied. In addition to this, they also provide good amounts of nutrition while being low in fat and calories.
Lots of formulated dog foods are available on the market for your dogs to try. Brands such as Royal Canin and Hill’s offer good nutrition for your dogs. These dog food brands have specific products to help with your dog’s weight management and other benefits it can get for its bodily functions.
When it comes to giving your dogs some treats, be sure to lay off on the sugary sweets for a while. Treats are an important part of your dog’s life, but they can also be a source of extra calories. Choose healthy, low-calorie treats, or better yet, use small portions of fruits and vegetables to give as yummy treats.
Create Routines for Your Dog
When it comes to keeping their diet in check, routines must be followed to help them get used to eating these new foods in a new way. A feeding routine also helps you keep track of your dog’s meals and the amounts they eat. That way, you can more easily notice changes in your dog’s weight.
Routines are also good for exercise. Walks and playtimes are a joy for our dogs, and to help dogs lose weight, we must follow a good exercise routine. Make sure to walk your dogs at specific times so they can prepare their bodies for the adventure.
Exercise is an important part of helping our dogs lose weight. Regular exercise can help them burn more calories and develop their muscles. Exercise also provides good mental stimulation, which keeps them happy and reduces their need to eat food through sheer boredom.
Exercises to Help Dogs Lose Weight
Different dogs require different types of exercise based on their age, breed, and physical health. Here are some great exercises to start helping your dogs lose weight.
Daily Walks
Daily routine walks are a great way to keep your dog active and moving. Start with short, manageable walks and gradually increase the distance and pace as your dog builds stamina. Be sure to check on your dog during this entire process. If it gets too tired, a short rest won’t hurt. It’s important to ease into the weight loss process.
Fetch and Catch
A game of fetch or catch can be a good way to encourage your dog to play with you. By doing so, you’re hitting two birds with one stone. You get to keep them in shape and keep their mental health in check. A good bonding session always helps.
Swimming and Training
When you want a more professional way to keep your dog in shape, seeking the aid of our vets and trainers can help. Swimming and physical training are some of the activities involved when training your dog’s physical body. Good training can help dogs lose weight.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Progress
Keep track of your dog’s activity level to ensure they’re getting enough exercise. A good eye works wonders in making sure your dog is on the right track. Also, make sure they’re eating all the healthy food you give them. Keeping track is important so we can know where your dog needs to work. Be sure to check with us so we can give you expert advice on where to proceed based on your dog’s progress.
You can use a pet activity tracker or simply log the time and distance of each walk or play session. Monitoring activity helps you stay on track with your dog’s weight loss plan and gives you an easier time keeping an eye on its energy levels.
Conclusion
Helping your dog lose weight is a task that requires all hands on deck. As their caretakers, we must make sure our dogs maintain their health and happiness. Maybe a treat or two can be good, but moderation is always key. The process might take a while, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Remember, you’re not alone in this process. Our vets are always ready to support you in helping your dog lose weight. We also have helpful content to help you with whatever your dogs need. When it comes to your dog’s health, we’re always on standby. Let’s work together to ensure your dog enjoys a lifetime of health and happiness!