How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Just like humans losing weight comes down to two important factors, food and exercise. Food is the most important. Your pet’s regular veterinary office is the best place to go for advice to manage a weight-loss regime. There you will be able to find what your pet’s target weight is. What is the most appropriate diet, how much exercise to give your pet and how to maintain a healthy weight once the goal is reached. There is no substitute for an individual assessment by a trained veterinary team member.
Establish a benchmark
Establish a benchmark for how much to feed your pet. Establish the number of calories your pup needs each day. There are many factors that will influence your dog’s dietary needs, including breed, size, activity level, and whether they’re spayed or neutered. It is important to get very clear what your dog is eating throughout the day. Recognizing where we are going wrong in feeding our pet.
Try breaking up meals.
Feeding in smaller portions can also be helpful. Dr. Carol Osborne, an integrative veterinarian at Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Ohio, recommends taking your dog’s total daily ration and dividing it up into three to six portions. “Feeding small meals every four to six hours helps keep your dog’s insulin levels stable, which reduces appetite spikes and keeps (your dog’s) tummy full most of the day,” she says. “Once your dog’s metabolism begins to work properly, excess pounds come off easily.”
For a weight-loss diet, it is important to ensure your pet feels full so they voluntarily eat less and don’t beg for more food. A diet providing essential vitamins and minerals needed to maintain optimal body health will reduce hunger. It should favor the loss of fat and ensure muscle mass is maintained. For pets that are slightly overweight start with reducing the amount of their current diet or switch them onto the light version, at the same time cutting out high fat treats can also help your pet be successful with shedding a few pounds.
Exercise
Exercise is extremely important for a weight-loss program. It provides mental stimulation and improves our pets quality of life. Increasing the amount of energy used will surely result in weight-loss. Exercise provides muscle maintenance and the reduction of body fat. In addition exercise is a treat for your pet reducing the temptation for us to give them snacks also helps to stop them begging for food.