How to Get Your Dog to Lose Weight

Just as in people, obesity can cause serious health problems in dogs. Getting your dog to lose weight, however, can be a big challenge. Dieting is hard enough for people, but at least we understand what we are trying to accomplish with the diet. Your dog will not. As a result, when you reduce your dog's food intake, it will only understand that it is hungry, and that its owner is not giving it food. Therefore, this process can be emotionally trying for dogs and owners alike. Be prepared for a lot of whining and sad eyes.

Instructions

Phase one

1

Visit the vet. Ask your veterinarian's advice on how much weight your dog needs to lose, and if they have any suggestions for dieting strategies. Ask your vet what a good target weight should be for your dog.

2

Increase your dog's daily exercise (unless it is physically not up to it). Take it for long walks. Have it play with younger dogs to get it running around more.

3

Purchase a low calorie dog food. There are lots of diet dog foods on the market. When choosing one, look at the nutritional information on the package and compare it with your current dog food as a reference. Select food that is significantly lower in calories and fat, while at the same time, provides plenty of vitamins and other nutrients. Gradually mix the new dog food with the old food until your dog gets used to it.

4

Curtail or eliminate snacks in between meals. Most dog treats are very high in calories. Replace them if necessary with lower calorie snacks, but either way, be sparing in how many you give it. Be firm. Do not let your dog guilt-trip you into giving it extra treats or table scraps.

5

Wait for a couple of weeks before making further adjustments to the diet. Weigh it regularly and make sure it is not losing too much weight; otherwise, you'll risk replacing one set of health problems with another. Weight loss should be a gradual process.

Phase two

6

Measure how much weight your dog has lost after a couple of weeks. If it has lost little or no weight, then you will need to put it on a more aggressive diet and exercise regimen.

7

Reduce your dog's food intake to about half of what it was before.

8

Add canned green beans to the dog food as a filler. They are nutritious, but have almost no calories and will help stave off your dog from hunger.

9

Give your dog smaller food portions twice a day, rather than a single larger portion.

10

Weigh your dog regularly over the following weeks. If you do not see significant weight loss, then consult with your veterinarian again.