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How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Can you feel individual ribs easily? Is your dog’s abdomen slightly tucked up whenviewed from the side? That’s a sign your dog is at their ideal weight.

If you can't feel the ribs easily, your dog has no waist and their abdomen drags,your pup is carrying extra weight. Your veterinarian can help you further evaluateyour dog’s condition and determine their ideal weight.

What Causes Canine Obesity?

Dogs gain weight for the same reason people do: They eat more calories than theyuse. Today’s dogs share another problem with their human parents: lack of activity.Many pet parents work all day and are too tired to play with their dog afterward.

Dogs’ metabolisms might slow as they age or after they’re spayed or neutered,which means they require less food. Another common reason for weight gain isfrequently eating high-calorie treats. Sometimes more than one family member isfeeding the dog, and the dog sure isn’t telling!

Other factors that could contribute to canine obesity include:

• Breed and sex
• Hyperadrenocorticism
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes mellitus

If you suspect that your dog is overweight or obese, the !rst step is to set up anappointment with your veterinarian so they can evaluate their condition. Likewise,before beginning any weight loss program with your dog, make sure to discuss itwith your vet.

How Much to Feed a Dog on aWeight Management Program

If your dog is overweight, it’s time to implement a weight-management regimen. Ifyou usually feed one large meal a day or keep food available at all times, try adifferent dog-feeding schedule by dividing the daily ration into several small meals— at least two meals a day. It takes energy to digest food, and dividing your dog’sdaily ration into separate feedings will help. If your dog leaves any food in theirbowl, pick it up 30 minutes after each meal.

Choose the Right Food for Healthy Weight Loss

Your goal is to help your dog be healthier, so select their food carefully. Payattention to the ratio of fat, !ber, protein, carbohydrates and special ingredients inyour dog’s weight-management food:

• Fat: Dogs use fat as their primary energy source. A diet that replaces some fatwith highly digestible carbohydrates offers a good low-calorie alternative.
• Fiber: Dogs use fat as their primary energy source. A diet that replaces somefat with highly digestible carbohydrates offers a good low-calorie alternative.
• Protein: Weight-control food should have high-quality protein so your dogdoesn’t lose muscle tone, plus essential fatty acids to help keep their skin andcoat healthy throughout the dieting process.
• Carbohydrates: Feeding a diet that contains corn, sorghum and/or barley canresult in lower insulin levels as compared to feeding a diet that contains rice asthe primary carbohydrate source. Lower insulin levels also can help withmaintaining a proper weight.
• L-carnitine: This special ingredient is a vitamin-like compound that helps burnfat.

After your dog reaches their ideal weight, select a maintenance food to keep theirweight steady.

Tips for Helping Your Dog Lose Weight

Losing weight isn’t easy. Changing habits is the key. Here are some ways you can
help keep your dog on track:

• Determine who feeds the dog what and when. (Don’t be embarrassed to admityou give your dog treats. Dogs are expert beggars.)
• Substitute affection for treats. Scratch them behind the ears, offer praise orthrow a ball when your dog noses your hand.
• Take your dog for a walk more often. Even 10 minutes a day can help.
• If your dog is more than 15% overweight, your veterinarian might recommend aspecial food. Diet foods should be low in fat (under 20% of calories from fat).

A total weight-management program can lead to successful weight loss inoverweight or obese dogs. Remember: Your support is essential to your dog’sweight-control success.