How to Help Dogs Lose Weight? Vet-Verified Tips

Written by

Dr. Nenad Misura

Updated Date

Aug 28, 2024

10 minutes

A veterinarian is smiling while holding a brown dog on a metal table.

Why Do We Need to Help Dogs Lose Weight?

Having an unhealthy weight is more than just about looks. Dogs will have a much lower quality of life, especially since they will have more health issues.

Joint and Mobility Problems

When dogs are heavier than their own appropriate weights, their joints and bodies can suffer. This is especially true for their hips, knees, and spine. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, reduced flexibility, and pain when moving.

Plus, dogs that are predisposed to orthopedic issues such as elbow and hip dysplasia will experience the effects faster.

Reduced Stamina and Quality of Life

Because of the heavy weight, dogs will have less energy and capacity to move. They tend to avoid exercise and moving altogether, which causes a cycle that makes them gain more weight. This leads to a lower quality of life.

Increased Risk of Health Issues

Overweight and obese dogs will be prone to several health issues. This includes diabetes and liver disease. It’s because obesity can contribute to insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver.

Plus, the heart works harder to pump blood in dogs with a heavier weight. This is because of the many more layers of fat that make breathing difficult. If left untreated, this can progress to heart disease.

This isn’t limited to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Obese dogs can also be prone to many more health problems, like urinary issues and organ dysfunction.

Shortened Lifespan

One of the most well-known disadvantages of dogs having too much weight is the shortened lifespan. Extra weight slowly damages vital organs and increases the risk of chronic diseases.

What Causes Dogs to Gain Weight?

An infographic showing the reasons why dogs gain weight.

Obesity can become seriously dangerous as it can compromise your dog’s health and happiness. Lots of factors can contribute to it, and these include:

Incorrect Diet and 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 foods that can quickly fatten your dogs up. When this goes on unmonitored, your dog will experience an increase in their weight.

It becomes even worse when the food we give is table scraps, greasy foods, and fatty meals.

Lack of Exercise

Dogs are very active, 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.

This is especially true for dogs that get used to a life without a stable exercise routine.

Breed-Specific Conditions

Certain breeds are conditioned to be more at risk for obesity, especially when you let them overeat. This includes Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Pugs, and Golden Retrievers. Additionally, some breeds have lower energy levels and can be more at risk for obesity.

Medical Conditions

Some health conditions can also increase weight gain in dogs. One of these is hypothyroidism. Here, the dog’s thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, decreasing metabolism.

Another one is Cushing’s disease, a condition in which the body produces too much cortisol, leading to weight gain.

Age

Age can play a huge role in weight gain. As dogs age, their bodies can become weaker, and they have a harder time processing food and maintaining their metabolism. Because of this, they can become more prone to obesity.

Need help keeping your dog's weight in check?

Have a chat with our vets!

Book An Appointment

Call +971 600 566 253

How to Check Your Dog’s Weight

If you don’t have a scale nearby, there are still ways to check dog weight. Here’s a quick guide:

Category	Signs to Look for
Underweight	Ribs, spine, and hip bones are very visible. No fat can be felt. The waist is very prominent. The dog may have low energy.
Ideal Weight	Ribs can be felt easily but not seen sharply. The waist can be seen from above, with a slight tummy tuck on the side. The dog is active.
Overweight	Ribs are harder to feel without pressing. Waistline is faint or missing when viewed from above. The belly may look rounded. The dog may tire faster.
Obese	Ribs, spine, and hip bones are very difficult or impossible to feel. No waist or tummy tuck is visible. The belly hangs down with layers of fat on the hips and neck. The dog may easily be exhausted.

How to Help Dogs Lose Weight

A pet owner is keeping her dog calm while two veterinarians check its weight and health condition.

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 you start your dog’s weight loss journey, we recommend consulting with our experts. A professional health assessment can determine the cause of your dog’s weight gain, the extent of its obesity, and the steps that need to be taken.

Here, we’ll examine your dog’s weight and health needs so we can properly recommend diet plans and exercise routines.

Choose the Right Food

Your dog’s food and diet will be crucial for ensuring weight loss. High-quality food that’s low in calories, fillers, and carbohydrates will be essential. Focus on lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Our vets can also recommend specialized commercial dog foods formulated for weight loss. You can easily get these from our pet pharmacy. We also recommend laying off the treats. While they can make our dogs happy, treats are usually filled with extra calories.

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 amount they eat. That way, you can more easily notice changes in your dog’s weight.

Routines are also good for exercise. Dogs benefit from a consistent exercise routine so their bodies will get used to it more easily.

When starting an exercise routine, such as daily walks, be sure to begin gradually. This can avoid shocking the dog’s body and potential injuries. When they get used to it, you can slowly increase intensity and duration.

Exercise routines can vary. They may be as simple as daily walks and games of catch, or they can also be more intensive agility training sessions. Swimming is also a great exercise that is gentle on the joints. The specifics will depend on your dog’s situation.

If you need help getting started on specific exercise routines, feel free to ask our partner dog trainers.

Monitor Your Dog’s Progress

Keep track of your dog’s activity level and condition during the exercise routines. If they seem tired, then you can stop and take breaks. Plus, make sure they’re eating and drinking right. These are important steps to make sure your dog loses weight the right way.

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.

Schedule Regular Checkups

To make sure your dog is heading in the right direction, it’s important to have our vets check. This is especially useful if your dog has a specific medical issue. With every visit, we can recommend adjustments and changes.

“Helping your dog stay healthy starts with the right weight.”
- Dr. Nenad Misura

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to help dogs lose weight is something all pet owners need to have a grasp on. As their caretakers, it’s one of our jobs and responsibilities. When they stay healthy, they stay happy.