Use 5 essentials to help your dog lose weight

We all want our furry friends to be happy and healthy, so monitoring your dog’s weight is essential. If you notice your dog packing on a few extra pounds, you may need to help your dog lose weight.

Maybe you’ve been tossing your pup a few more treats than you should, and before you know it, your dog is much chunkier than before.

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is essential for their health and wellbeing; when their weight is manageable, they have more mobility and energy and can live their lives better.

If you don’t already have one, buy a dog leash because we’ll give you five essentials for helping your dog lose weight, and the tip that makes the top of this list is (you may have guessed it) exercising your dog.

1. Exercise, exercise, exercise

If you want a happy and healthy dog, there must be an understanding of the responsibility caring for a dog entails (pun intended). Dogs require a lot of time, attention, and energy, especially when trying to help your overweight dog lose weight.

Exercising your dog consistently is one of the most significant ways you can help your dog lose weight. Yes, it takes extra time, but the well-being of your dog is worth it. When you get home from work, clip on your dog leash, and head out for a walk or jog with your furry friend.

Speaking of dog leashes, we recommend investing in a high-quality dog leash to make your puppy-exercising experience as stress-free as possible.

If you’re only willing to spend a couple of dollars on a cheap dog leash, you’ll notice quickly that you bought a cheap one when it snaps on your next walk.

A durable, flexible dog leash is the best option, and we recommend getting your dog leash from Wild One, a sustainable pet supply brand with the well-being of your pup as its top priority. 

2. Give your dog lots of water

Giving your dog lots of water to drink is a simple way to help them lose weight.

If your dog has a lot of water in their belly before eating, it will feel fuller even if they eat less food because the space in its stomach is already filled with water.

Drinking water also helps your dog’s body eliminate any toxins that might contribute to them gaining weight. Make sure always to keep your dog’s water bowl full.

Exercise will motivate your dog to drink more water.

3. Use a dog food feeding chart

It can be easy to pour in more food than your dog should have, but over a sustained period, a little extra adds up and can hurt your dog’s weight and health.

Head over to your pantry (or wherever you keep the dog food), and refer to the feeding chart on your dog food bag. You should find a list describing exactly how much food you should give your dog based on their weight.

When you find the correct amount, give them precisely that amount, even when you’re tempted to pour another half cup.

Sometimes a feeding chart isn’t the end-all-be-all, though; you have to consider other factors like the age of your dog, how much they exercise, or if they have any pre-existing medical conditions, which leads us to our next point.

4. Take your dog to the vet

Sometimes, dogs gain weight because they are being fed too much and not exercising enough.

Other times, it’s from a diagnosable medical condition. If your dog is overweight, take them to the vet to see if they have any medical conditions contributing to its excessive weight gain.

If this is the case, the vet can prescribe prescription-only medicine for your dog to help them maintain its weight at a healthy level. It’s also helpful to have an overall understanding of your dog’s health.

Going to the vet for a check-up is always a good idea.

5. Don’t overdo the treats

Rewarding your dog with treats can indeed be helpful in training. If you’re teaching your dog a new behavior, you give them a treat when they perform it to show them that’s what you want them to do.

However, there has to be a limit to how many treats you give your dog.

You might think that treats are separate from your dog’s actual food intake, but it’s a simple fact that dog treats contain a lot of calories.

If your furry friend is struggling with weight, consider cutting back on the treats even if your dog’s been really good at helping it lose weight.

Final thoughts: Help your dog lose weight

We hope this article helped show you how to help your dog lose weight.

Use these tips to help your dog lose weight:

• Exercise
• Help your dog drink more water
• Use a feeding chart
• Consult your vet
• Cut back on treats.

On top of all these tips, it’s essential to be patient.

Losing weight takes time, so don’t stress if you don’t see immediate results. Be patient and consistent, and your dog will be at a healthy weight in no time.