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Every extra kilogram can make everyday life harder for your dog — joints, heart, breathing, mood. But with the right changes, overweight pups can get back to feeling like themselves. Below are key steps to help your dog slim down safely and sustainably.
Why It Matters
Being overweight can lead to:
- Joint pain, arthritis
- Reduced stamina & exercise intolerance
- Higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, respiratory issues
- Worse outcomes under anaesthesia or surgery
- Shorter lifespan
Getting your dog to a healthy weight improves quality of life—and can reduce vet costs long term.
20 Steps to Help Your Dog Lose Weight
- Consult your vet first
Get a health check, rule out hormonal issues (like hypothyroidism), and ask what target weight is realistic. - Accurate food measurement
Use a measuring cup or digital scale. Free-feeding (leaving food out) makes it too easy to overeat. - Switch to a weight-control or light formula
Low-fat, high-fibre diets help your dog feel full on fewer calories. - Divide meals into 3–4 smaller servings
Smaller meals more often can stabilise metabolism. - Titrate daily calorie intake
Reduce by ~10–20% from current, monitor weekly changes, adjust accordingly. - Replace treats with veggies
Use carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber — low-calorie but engaging. - Puzzle feeders & slow-feeders
Extend feeding time and mental engagement. - Morning walks + controlled play
Start slow, increase duration gradually. Swimming is great for joints. - Include strength work
Gentle resistance or balance work (low steps, sit-stand) builds lean muscle. - Alternate surfaces & pace
Walk on grass, sand, or varying textures; vary pace to help burn more calories. - Track progress visually & numerically
Use photos, body condition score, weekly weigh-ins. - Water is your ally
Encourage more drinking; water-filled toys, ice cubes, avoid dehydration. - Avoid high-sodium or fatty leftovers
Table scraps quickly blow up calories — keep them out of reach. - Set realistic timeframe
Aim for ~1–2% weight loss per week — slow wins the race. - Include joint support supplements (if vet approves)
Glucosamine, omega-3s, etc, under guidance. - Set non-food rewards
Praise, petting, toy play instead of treats. - Regular health checkups during diet
Watch for side effects (e.g. muscle loss, appetite drop) and adjust as needed. - Track and adjust
If weight loss stalls 4–6 weeks, re-evaluate caloric targets or rule out health issues. - Avoid diet fads
Extreme starvation or gimmicks can backfire (nutritional deficiencies, rebound weight gain). - Stay consistent
All household members must follow the plan — no sneaky treats!
What to Expect (Safely)
- You’ll see slower movement, more panting initially — that’s expected.
- Weight loss should be gradual. Sudden drops raise red flags.
- Muscle retention is key — lean mass is valuable.
- Even moderate weight loss (10–15%) significantly improves health outcomes.
How Pet Insurance Helps
Weight-related issues often show up as secondary conditions—arthritis, pancreatitis, respiratory disease, hernias. A solid policy can help cover treatment, diagnostics, monitoring.
Check what your Dog Insurance plan covers. Use Compare Cover to spot gaps in obesity-linked illness coverage.
