With pet obesity on the rise, making sure your dog is a healthy weight is an important part of caring for their wellbeing. How do you know if your pet needs to be put on a diet? And how do you help a dog with losing weight? Our veterinary expert, Brian Faulkner, has the answers.
Dogs come in many shapes and sizes, and it’s not always easy for owners to tell whether their pet is carrying extra weight. But with around half of UK pet dogs considered overweight or obese, how do you know if your pet is one of them?
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:
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, such as the Miniature Dachshund, 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:
Divide their daily allowance by the number of meals you plan to give them to ensure they can’t overeat.
Your dog’s ideal weight depends on their breed, age and gender. Like us, obese dogs can develop health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. It may also be difficult for them to breathe, especially flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Boxers and Pugs.
Slow and steady is best when it comes to weight loss. Ideally dogs shouldn’t be losing more than 2% of their current bodyweight per week. Aiming for 1% a week is safe and reasonable.
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.
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.
Make sure your dog doesn’t miss out on regular exercise. As well as daily dog walks, incorporate some indoor activities into their routine for an extra workout. Here are some ideas:
Hide your dog’s favourite toy so that they can sniff it out. Guide your dog to where it’s hidden, then watch them use their sense of smell to find the toy.
Hide from your dog when they aren’t looking, then call them to you. As soon as your dog finds you, praise them.
Ask a family member to hold your dog at one end of the room and lay their toys and healthy treats in two parallel lines. Stand at the other end of the room and call your dog to come to you, ensuring they walk between the two lines. Each time your dog manages without succumbing to the temptation of picking up a toy or a treat, praise them for it.
Encourage your dog to grab a soft toy by saying ‘get it’ or ‘grab it’. When they’ve taken hold of it, keep your dog interested by shaking the toy. During the game, stop tugging and say ‘leave’ (just once) while moving your hands towards your body and keeping them still. Your dog may continue tugging but will eventually release the grip. Allow your dog to ‘win’ the toy to help build their confidence.
Scatter toys on the floor near a basket and encourage them to pick up one toy at a time and give it to you by holding out your hand. Each time they give you a toy, reward them with praise. Then show your dog how you put each toy they give you into the basket. You may have to help your dog at first, but eventually, they should put the toys into the basket.
Have you put your dog on a diet? Share your tips for keeping your dog fit and healthy on Petplan’s Facebook page
