Managing a dogs’ weight is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Keeping on top of your dogs’ weight from an early age can prolong their life and prevent other health issues from arising. Here are some tips to help you manage it:
1. Control Portion Sizes:
Similar to humans, the best way for a dog to lose weight is simply eating less and exercising more. Measure your dogs’ food portions carefully to avoid overfeeding. Follow the feeding guidelines provided on the dog food packaging or consult the food manufacturer for specific recommendations based on your dogs’ age, size, and activity level.
2. Increase Physical Activity:
Regular exercise is essential for weight management. Ensure your dog gets daily walks, playtime, and opportunities to be active. The type and amount of exercise will depend on your dogs’ breed, age, and health status.
3. Choose a High-Quality Diet:
Feed your dog a high-quality, balanced diet. We recommend either a proper raw diet, sourcing ingredients yourself and working out a balance that suits your individual dog, or a grain free ‘80/20’ complete dry food. This is a dry food that contains a minimum of 80% animal ingredient. These foods are as close to a dogs’ natural and ancestral diet as possible.
4. Monitor Treats and Snacks:
If your dog needs to lose weight, you should cut out treats completely – or ensure you are only giving natural low-fat treats such as White Fish Jerky. If your dog requires treats as motivation to exercise or train, you can consider giving a portion of their complete food intake as treats throughout the day instead of at meal time.
5. Interactive Toys and Games:
Use interactive toys and games that stimulate your dog both mentally and physically. Puzzle feeders and toys that dispense treats can provide mental stimulation and encourage movement.
6. Gain Weight:
Some dogs may struggle keep weight on due to health issues, high activity or genetics. If a medical condition is the cause of this, speak with your food manufacturer for their advice. You should increase the quantity of complete food you are giving until you reach a point where stools are becoming loose. If the dog is still not gaining weight at this point, you can try mixing some canned Pumpkin or Sweet Potato in with their complete food, which will bulk out their meal without increasing the nutritional richness causing the stools to turn loose. Seek guidance from your Vet if you have concerns with any sudden changes in weight that you are unable to attribute to a cause.
7. Monitor and Adjust:
Be hands on with your dog frequently, checking their weight and for any abnormalities such as lumps. Regularly feel down their sides to ensure their shape/weight is correct, with the waist tucking in nicely and a thin layer of fat over the ribs. Consistent loose stools can also be an indicator of overfeeding. If you are vigilant for any changes in your dogs’ weight, shape or stools then you will be able to make appropriate adjustments in feeding quantities and exercise routines.
Remember, individual dogs have different needs, so it’s crucial to tailor your approach to your dogs’ specific requirements. You are always welcome to contact us at Bentley’s for unbiased nutritional advice, we will be honest if we feel our food would not be suitable for you and your dog. Our philosophy is simply to see more dogs on a healthier diet.
