Essentials to Help with Dog Weight Loss
Studies show that more than 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. This excess weight can be tied to several other health problems. This is why we want to share our list of vet-approved tips that can help your four-legged friend safely lose weight and help them have a better quality of life.
- Food – Food is probably one of the most important factors for weight loss. Weight loss for dogs is 60-70% diet and 30-40% exercise. Therefore, it is essential to establish clear guidelines for daily caloric intake.
- Portion Control – You need to watch what you are feeding your dog, but it is also important to keep portion sizes in mind. Keep in mind that many factors will influence your dog’s dietary needs. These may include breed, size, and activity level.
- Quality of Food – You need to feed your dog low carb, whole, fresh food. Many processed dog foods are full of carb-based fillers. A fresh diet will provide quality protein and fiber to keep your dog full and satisfied.
- Treats – Do not forget that treats have calories too! Another way to reduce the extra weight is to control how many treats they get per day. We recommend factoring treats into less than 10% of total daily calories.
- Exercise – The recommended minimum daily exercise is 20 minutes, twice a day. However, some breeds require more. If your dog needs to lose weight, you can safely increase their amount of exercise.
Weight loss does not happen overnight. If you follow our tips, your dog should be able to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The best weight management strategy is to develop good habits that are applied for the long term.
