Press on both sides of your dog’s ribs. With light pressure, can you easily feel the outline of their rib cage? If so, great! Your dog is part of the 44 percent of American dogs that aren’t overweight. If not, however, your dog may need to go on a diet. As a good rule of thumb, you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs. If you can’t, your dog may be obese.
So, what goes into helping a dog lose weight? Start by reducing their daily caloric intake.
1. Feed Your Dog Less
Understanding how much your dog eats daily is a great place to start when creating their weight management plan. Start by measuring their morning and evening meals. Their portions should correlate with their weight. The chart below outlines how much your dog should eat daily.
| Dog Weight | Cups of Food Daily |
| 3 pounds | 1/3 cup |
| 6 pounds | 1/2 cup |
| 10 pounds | 3/4 cup |
| 15 pounds | 1 cup |
| 20 pounds | 1 1/3 cups |
| 30 pounds | 1 ¾ cups |
| 40 pounds | 2 ¼ cups |
| 50 pounds | 2 2/3 cups |
| 60 pounds | 3 cups |
| 70 pounds | 3 ½ cups |
| 80 pounds | 3 ¾ cups |
Next, consider the treats you feed your dog. Read the ingredients. Are these protein-rich snacks made with chicken, or are they primarily wheat-based? Think about these treats’ purpose. Are these small treats made for positive reinforcement-based training, or should they be once-a-day snacks?
Feeding your dog less should be the focal point of helping them lose weight. Don’t worry—dieting for dogs is different than dieting for humans. They won’t get cravings in the middle of the night or wistfully think about cheeseburgers. They’ll adjust to changes in their diet, provided they’re done gradually and intentionally.
2. Increase Your Dog’s Exercise
In addition to adjusting your dog’s diet, you should also increase their exercise time. But by how long? Well, that depends on their age, breed, and general activity level. Taking your normally sedentary bulldog for a hike could be too stressful. At the same time, taking your Australian Shepherd on a short trot likely won’t have much effect on their weight.
If you’re looking to exercise your obese dog, they could benefit from swimming. This is a low-impact form of exercise that would allow your dog to exercise different parts of the body at once. Some dogs that enjoy water-based activities include Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, and spaniels.
Note: some flat-faced breeds, such as Pugs and French Bulldogs, are not suited for the water. Still, they may find enjoyment splashing around in a kiddie pool or playing with water-resistant toys near the hose.
3. Revaluate Your Dog’s Food
McDonalds for dogs exists—and it’s usually kibble with a lot of additives and preservatives. That’s not the say kibble isn’t good; many good dog food brands have kibble packed with the vitamins and nutrients dogs need. But there’s a lot of cheaply made dog food that’s not conducive to maintaining a healthy weight.
When revaluating your dog’s food, consider:
- Their age. Puppy food is very calorically dense because it’s formulated for growing dogs’ bodies. So, giving puppy food to an adult dog could cause weight gain.
- Changes in your dog’s body. Older dogs are more likely to gain weight because of their decreased metabolism and activity levels. As with puppy food, there is food created to meet changes in dogs’ bodies as they age.
- Its serving sizes. Some dog foods have variations between brands, even if it’s only by a few half-cups.
If you cook meals for your dog, consider the ingredients. To create a complete and balanced diet, dogs need a healthy combination of protein, carbs, and healthy fats. Run any recipes you have past your dog’s veterinarian. They can explain whether it meets your dog’s dietary needs.
4. Change Your Dog’s Rewards
As part of positive reinforcement training, you want to reward desired behaviors in your dog. This may include refraining from excessive barking, responding to basic commands, and peeing outside. However, this training doesn’t have to rely on giving a treat every time your dog behaves. It’s just about meeting a positive behavior with a positive action. This can include anything from being allowed on the couch to giving verbal praise.
If you have a highly food-motivated dog, you can cut their treats in half or switch to other rewards. For instance, instead of offering a piece of cheese, offer a half-slice of chicken breast. You could also offer small smears of sugar-free peanut butter.
5. Stop Feeding Your Dog at the Table
It’s a common scene dog owners know all too well. You’re watching TV, munching some popcorn, and without thinking, you throw some on the ground for your dog. While this is much appreciated by your canine companion, feeding your dog table scraps (or couch scraps, rather) does two things. First, it rewards your dog for hovering while you’re eating. Secondly, the snacks you’re eating likely aren’t good for your dog! Even a handful of chips offers more sodium than many dogs need in a single day.
Part of having a well-trained dog is having them understand the difference between their food and your food. Crating your dog during meals or plain refusing handouts is a good way to help them lose weight and maintain healthy boundaries.
6. Schedule a Vet Visit
If you notice that your dog has suddenly gained weight, discuss the matter with their veterinarian. Some conditions, such as tumors or diabetes, can manifest as weight gain. If you haven’t spayed your dog, and she’s recently encountered an intact male, there’s the possibility of pregnancy.
Dogs are good at hiding pain. If your dog has joint pain or suffers from a soft-tissue condition, such as luxating patella, they could be less active than usual—causing weight gain. The good news is that with medication and therapy, your dog could find relief from these conditions and continue their regular activities. This can help them look (and feel) their best!
