How to put your dog on a diet

Vets use a weight guide for dogs called body condition scoring to assess pets’ body fat. In a healthy dog, you should easily be able to feel their ribs and distinguish their waist.

The body scoring index used in veterinary practice goes from one to nine: one is extremely thin, nine is morbidly obese, and the ideal is somewhere in the middle. If the vet finds your dog to be overweight or obese, they can recommend changes to their diet and exercise routine to help them lose weight.

The PDSA 2023 PAW Report uncovered trends around pet obesity and the average dog weight:

• Vet professionals estimate that 46% of dogs are overweight or obese
• 80% of dog owners don’t know their dog’s current body condition score(BCS)
• Only 56% of dog owners know how much their dog should weigh
• 32% of dog owners don’t know their dog’s current weight

If you’re unsure about whether your dog is a healthy weight, speak to your vet for tailored advice.

Before making any changes, consult a vet about putting your dog on a diet. As well as confirming whether you have an overweight dog, your vet will be able to screen them for any underlying medical issues that could be causing this. In some dogs, for example, an underactive thyroid gland can lead to weight gain.

If your dog does need to go on a diet, your vet will be able to recommend a suitable calorie-controlled dog food. Bear in mind that formulations branded as ‘light’ are better for avoiding extra weight gain, rather than shifting the flab.

There are many different kinds of dog food on the market, so it can be difficult to understand which is best for your pet.

Generally, look for a complete food which provides all the essential nutrients needed for your dog to stay healthy, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

If you are introducing a new food to your dog, do it gradually to avoid stomach problems, and to allow your pet to get used to new tastes and textures.

If your dog needs to lose a few centimetres from their middle, start by monitoring their current diet and avoiding snacks or too many treats.

UK Pet Food – previously known as the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association or PFMA – says you should feed your dog to their ideal weight, not their actual bodyweight. Take a look at the feeding guides on the pet food packet (or on the manufacturer’s website), and take into account other sources of food, such as treats.

Rather than using a cup or other volume measure, weigh out your dog’s food according to the feeding instructions. Feeding your dog a mere 10% more than they need means they will become 10% overweight. Your vet can recommend appropriate calorie-controlled dog diets for weight loss and information on how much to feed.

It’s also difficult for an overweight dog to burn off extra calories through exercise alone. This is particularly the case for breeds not suited to massive amounts of exercise or with young puppies or older dogs, who shouldn’t take part in too much strenuous, high-impact activity.

It’s important to note that around 80% of weight issues in dogs relate to diet. So calorie control is likely to be more important than exercise if you want to help your dog lose weight.

Check the labels of dog food for information on portion size and how much to feed your dog in a day. Depending on the age of your dog, consider:

• Four meals a day for a puppy up to 12 weeks
• Three meals a day for a young dog up to six months
• Two meals a day for adult dogs

Divide their daily allowance by the number of meals you plan to give them to ensure they can’t overeat.

A common trap dog owners fall into is only counting what they put into their dog’s feeding bowl towards their daily calorie intake. It’s easy to overlook all the other little treats and snacks. Stick to a strict daily ration of veterinary-recommended, calorie-controlled dog food. Treats need to come out of that ration, not on top of it.

Weigh out your dog’s food allowance every day. If you only measure their food by eye, it’s easy to make mistakes. Though it’s hard to resist your dog when they’re pleading for treats, remember that helping them lose weight is one of the best things you can do to ensure their future health and quality of life.

You can ask your vet for advice on daily food rations, your dog’s diet plan and to help you track your pet’s weight. If you have dog insurance with Petplan, you can also utilise our Pet Expert Chat. Log into your My Petplan account to access tailored advice about putting an obese dog on a diet.

A dog that has become used to overeating may resort to begging or scavenging for extra food.

Bear in mind that treating your dog doesn’t always have to involve calories. Non-food rewards, such as giving them attention or playing a game, are a good way to distract or comfort a dog pining for their next meal.