Weight Control for Your Dog
Refer to our client handouts for a printable version of this information.
Being overweight can significantly detract from your pet's quality of life. Musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, diabetes and pancreatitis are a few of many diseases associated with obesity. Since they are prone to many diseases, overweight dogs are generally more expensive to own. Taking control of your dogs diet and exercise is an important aspect of responsible pet ownership. Your pet relies on you to formulate the right type and amount of food to stay healthy. We are happy to give advice on feeding options to help you reduce your pet’s weight safely and effectively whist considering time and cost factors.
In healthy dogs, excessive weight gain occurs simply because energy input in the form of calories exceeds energy burnt up during normal activity and exercise.
Inappropriate snacks, lack of exercise, appetite stimulating drugs and the introduction of a new pet (whose food they borrow!) can also contribute to excessive weight gain. Before starting a weight reduction program, a physical examination may be warranted to check for other causes of weight gain eg pregnancy, hypothyroidism and fluid retention. Pain from arthritis may make weight reduction a high priority part of the treatment. This check up can be done with their annual vaccination.
A target weight will be estimated at the start of the diet using the breed weight chart and condition score chart. This weight goal may be reviewed as we progress. Effective and lasting weight loss is a slow process requiring patience and commitment from all members of the family. Depending on the dog’s size, we aim to have the dog lose about 0.2 kilograms per week (never more that 2% of their body weight per week).Some options for weight loss diets are
- If you're feeding the correct types of food, simply reduce the amount by 30%
- Get rid of high calorie foods eg pet mince, fatty meat, marrow bones, lamb, pork, bacon, Smackos, Good Os and puppy growth dry foods.
- When we reduce the calorie intake, we want the food to be of a high quality so it is best to avoid supermarket canned foods and the cheapest dry foods.
- Stay with well balanced low calorie dry foods eg Royal Canin Weight Control or Bonnie Lite with rice veges, pasta and lean raw bones. Roo tails have much less fat than marrowbones or lamb flaps. Consider giving a bone 2-3 times a week. Be sure to offer them instead of, not as well as a meal.
- For very overweight pets, we recommend a complete diet change to a premium dry foods like Royal Canin Obesity to be phased in over a seven day period. The prescription diets for weight reduction are simple to use as the dog is given only the measured amount of biscuits or cans daily. These diets help in weight reduction by providing an acceptable volume of food with fewer calories. They are balanced and avoid deficiencies, have increased fibre to help reduce hunger and encourage steady weight loss. For best results, measure out the daily amount once in the morning and feed only this amount in 2-3 portions daily. These diets are not for indefinite use. Other low calorie maintenance diets including Royal Canin Weight Control or Bonnie Lite can be used after they have reached their goal weight.
- If treats have featured frequently in the past, use a portion of the day’s food, carrot sticks, a slice of apple or we can provide restricted calorie treats.
- Combination diets using partly Obesity prescription dry food along with healthy low calorie foods can be effective but there is a risk of overdoing the calories.
We recommend weighing your dog every 2-4 weeks. Get excited about seeing your dog’s weight go down! We can print off their weight charts to document your progress. If necessary we can revise the amount to be fed. Some animals lose weight faster that others. It may take 2-3 weeks before the weight starts to come off.
We are always happy to discuss other options with you to find the best programme for you and your dog.Some Handy Hints.
- Divide the recommended daily amount into two or more feeds. This is more conducive to activity and burning off calories than a full stomach from one meal a day. Feeding more calories at the beginning of the day gives your dog the chance to burn them off. Avoid giving a large meal at the end of the day, as your dog will only go to sleep and gain weight!
- Separate the pet from the family at meal times to remove the temptation to feed tid bits from the table. Good quality, low calorie left overs can be saved for a later meal.
- Never give left overs in addition to the dog’s meal “Better in the waste than on the waist”.
- Get a smaller feed bowl so it still looks full.
- Feed all meals and rewards in the pets bowl to avoid begging.
- Have one person in the family responsible for feeding the pet.
- Measure all meals - no extra snacks.
- Provide non-food related attention.
- Exercise for even 10 minutes a day is better than one hour a week.
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