HOW TO HELP MY DOG LOSE WEIGHT? | 8 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO HELP THEM

The responsible dog owners always try to keep their dogs in shape. Your fatty dog may look adorable, but he will be at a higher risk of health problems. Certain dog breeds are more prone to weight gain than others. So try to maintain their fitness throughout their life. Some health or metabolic conditions are also responsible for weight gain.


Dog owners need to understand what's normal and appropriate for their specific dog depending upon breed type, size, routine, and health. Usually, dogs get the extra weight in the same way as humans with a lot of eating without a proper exercise routine. If your dog is not active and eating excessive amounts of treats, table scraps, and food, be ready for his overweight issues.

1. Proper Diet 

To start with your dog's weight loss, feed him with normal food and replace the second meal with green beans or a bit of kibble and a doggie multi-vitamin in the evening. You can also switch to healthier treats and reduce them at a time. For example, you can replace biscuits and high-fat treats with fresh chopped carrots, apples, and green beans. Most of the dogs are like these new crunchy treats. Don't associate the food with love, as many dogs act ravenous even after meeting their caloric requirements for the day.

2. Calculate Calories 

You need to know how many calories your pet need per day. Don't completely believe in feeding guidelines mentioned on bags, instead ask your veterinarian to calculate the proper number of calories depending upon your dog age, size, and health conditions. You can also get a general idea of the calories your pet needed by dividing his weight by 2.2 and multiplying the answer times by 30. Now add the 70 to the result, and you get a rough estimate.

3. Offer Vital Veggies 

Instead of highly processed store-bought treats, you can offer baby carrots, green beans, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, sliced apples, and bananas. These are very healthy, natural, tasty tidbits for many dogs. But don't feed them a full apple or banana as they have high sugar content. You can also share the potato chips as these are healthier for them.

4. Cut down the carbs 

Most of the dogs don't need a high carbohydrate diet, which most of us offer their pets. Almost every diet contains 60% of carbohydrates. But the best ideal diet should contain balanced protein and carbohydrates. For weight loss, the general recommendation is the low carb and higher protein diet.

5. Smart supplements 

A couple of smart supplements are also helpful for your dog to keep him fit and trim. Every individual can benefit from taking a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement. The powerful fish oils contain antioxidants, which help your dog to prevent and treat numerous diseases. It encourages weight loss and eases the achy joints. Ask your veterinarian before starting any supplement for your dog.

6. Proper Exercise 

Make a proper exercise routine for your dog to lose weight. You can rake them for a walk, run, swim, or hike. Enjoy the outdoor activities with your obese dogs as it's good for them to put some extra time into exercising. But make sure to don't overexerting to them, especially if they have any medical condition. If you notice any signs of heatstroke, take them back home.

7. Training to Run 

When you run with your dog, keep their age in mind. The young pups can damage their joints by running repetitively on hard surfaces, especially on concrete and asphalt. Don't jog with the larger dog breeds until they are at least 12 months old. Yes, you can play freely on grass or other suitable surfaces. When you start running with your dog, make sure he is in peak physical condition. Before starting, check with your vet if they have any physical weakness, such as heart issues and orthopedic issues, including hip dysplasia and luxating patella. These conditions can make their running painful, even life-threatening.

8. Make their Exercise Fun 

Canine exercise is a great way to build a stronger bond with them. You can communicate with them through your hand signals and body language to make the exercise fun. You can also find a training class as a newbie to learn about the different fun ways of exercising. But make sure to constantly be aware of your dog movement during the exercise as the dogs of all the breeds can overheat easily. Especially during the hot days, bring your dog in the air conditioning or short the walks in the early morning or late evening.

It's our responsibility to help our pets to maintain their healthy weight as it's important for them just like humans. It's up to you to feed them a healthy diet, nutritious foods and treats, and exercise daily.

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