Is Your Dog Overweight? Get Diet and Exercise Tips

Is your dog getting bigger in weight and shape? Are you concerned about it? There are a lot of ways to check if your doggo is overweight. When you touch your hands over their abdomen and flanks, you should feel the ribs. Besides, when you view your dog from one side, the abdomen must be thinner than their chest. If not, the dog is showing symptoms of being overweight.

Similar to people, overweight dogs often face a variety of health issues and weight problems may exacerbate present ailments. 

Luckily, there is a wide range of options you can take to solve the overweight problem. Below are some diet and exercise tips for your overweight dog.

Create a Workout Plan

All dogs, not only overweight dogs, require physical workouts for both their physical and mental health. And when pups get bigger over time, it could be difficult for pet owners to notice, this is a situation what Association for Pet Obesity Prevention refers to as the “fat pet gap”. A regular workout can help fight (and prevent) this. Maintain a regular workout time and try your best to get something they like, and you will notice significant improvements in your dog’s mental being as well as his physical weight.

Plan Portioned Feedings

This may seem like one tip, but it is actually two. If your dog is overweight, they are likely eating more than they actually need. First, you may like to ensure your puppy feeds at specific times during the day. Allowing your dog to graze the whole day means you probably do not know how much they are feeding and it could be too much.

The second is – portion control. Know precisely how much your puppy eats currently and slowly reduce the amount to figure out how much makes them satisfied and at a proper weight.

Keep in mind that what seems small in your eyes may probably fulfil your dog’s hunger substantially. If you are not sure about the right portion size, discuss with your vet to confirm. Besides that, count how many treats your puppy gets a day and subtract these from their everyday meals.

Involve your entire family

Everyone in your family should be working on it when you are trying to control your dog’s weight. If your dog is overweight and someone is giving them more than their portioned daily meals or giving extra treats, chances are you will not see much improvements in your dog's weight loss. Making everyone involved with the process is as vital as the effort you give toward the change.