Overweight Dogs: What to Do?

The best thing that you can do for your overweight dog is to help him or her lose the extra pounds. Though this is important no matter how old your dog is, the truth is that, as he or she ages, extra weight can make life even harder. If your dog struggles with arthritis, even a few extra pounds can slow your dog down!

So, what can you do if your dog is too heavy? Here are some tips to help you help your dog lose his or her extra pounds.

Measure out your dog’s food. Though many people just fill up their dog’s bowl every time it is empty, this is not the best way to feed him or her. You are going to want to measure how much you are feeding your dog at a time. Not only will your dog lose weight, but you will also be able to see if your dog stops eating!

You need to feed for your dog’s body condition, not what the bag says. Though most people go by the amount of food that the bag tells them, the truth is that your dog may need more or less depending on his or her body condition.

Cut back on the amount that you are feeding and watch what happens over the next few weeks. If that isn’t giving you the results you want, you may need to cut back even more. If your dog is getting too skinny, you may need to feed more at a time.

Don’t forget about the treats that you are feeding. Most people forget about the treats when it comes to how much they are feeding their dogs. You are going to want to keep treats to a minimum (or cut back on the amount of food you are feeding) in order to help your dog lose weight.

Everyone in your family has to realize that your dog is begging for your attention, not food. Instead of just giving your dog a treat, how about petting or cuddling him or her? Your dog only wants your attention, not the food that you are eating!

You need to make weight loss a family goal. If you are trying to get your dog to lose weight, but your husband and kids keep sneaking treats, it is not going to work.

The same goes if someone keeps filling the bowl every time that it is empty, instead of feeding a set amount at a time. Make sure that everyone in the family is ready to help your senior dog live a better life by losing weight or you are just fighting a losing battle. 

It is important that you don’t forget about exercise. Exercise needs to be an important part of your dog’s life. Daily walks will help both of you reach your weight loss goals! Throwing the ball for your dog will also help him or her stay in better shape. You may even be able to throw the ball down the stairs to help your dog stay active all winter long!

If your senior dog is struggling to get around, don’t forget to ask your veterinarian how you can help him or her. There are many medications on the market that can help your dog with arthritis and pain management. If you are able to give something to make your dog more comfortable, he or she may be able to be more active, which will help even more.

If your senior dog is too heavy, you need to find a way to help him or her lose weight. You need to measure out how much food you are feeding your pet, instead of just guessing or refilling the bowl every time that it is empty. You also need to watch treats. These can really add up, especially if everyone in the family is feeding extra snacks to your dog. For this reason, your entire family has to be on board with the weight loss.

Just like with people, exercise is also important when it comes to losing weight. This may be increasing walks or spending more time playing ball with your dog. That being said, you may need to look into medication for arthritis if your senior dog is struggling to get the exercise that he or she needs. Once your dog is feeling better, the medication, weight loss, and increased activity will ensure that your dog has a better quality of life!