If you are looking for dog food for weight loss, choosing the right diet is essential to achieving a healthy body condition. If you’re simply thinking about feeding less, that can help, but there are safer and more effective options for overweight dogs. The goal is to find delicious weight management dog foods (and snacks) that will reduce calories while meeting your pet’s nutritional needs. By looking for a few key dog food elements and ingredients, and following science-based recipes and approaches, you can find the best weight management dog food. for his best friend.
How to tell if your dog is overweight?
According to surveys by my organization, the Pet Obesity Prevention Association, about 56% of adult dogs in the US are overweight or obese. That equates to more than 50 million dogs at risk for weight-related diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease, skin problems, and many forms of cancer. In addition, studies demonstrate that Dogs are kept in a healthy body condition live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight dogs.
The dangers of being overweight are not a number on the scale, but the harmful hormones and compounds produced by too much body fat (adipose tissue). That’s why it’s important to identify the signs of a bad weight and body condition score (BCS) at home.
The first step is to weigh your dog regularly. Like our “bulge battle,” your dog’s body stores excess food energy as body fat. When an otherwise healthy adult dog gains weight, it’s most likely fat. If you can safely lift and weigh your dog once a month, you can get an idea of how your dog’s weight is trending. Early detection of body weight trends is essential in Avoid excessive weight gain. Frequently, I see pet parents completely unaware that their dog’s weight is increasing. Additionally, if you regularly weigh your dog, you’re more likely to spot unexplained weight loss early, a common finding in dogs with cancer.
To gauge if your dog is in the healthy weight range, you can refer to the breed weight chart above. petobesityprevention.org website or refer to the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other breed standards. Don’t worry if your healthy weight dog doesn’t fit within these values. They are only averages and may vary between organizations. Mixed breeds (including “Ooodles and Oos”) can be difficult, so get a team of veterinarians involved to help.
Body Condition Score (BCS) for overweight dogs
Your veterinarian will use a body condition score (BCS) and perhaps a muscle condition score (MCS) to determine if your dog is in a healthy physical state. While the BCS is a subjective assessment of body fat percentage, it has proven to be a useful tool for tracking progress over time.
At home, you can also do a modified BCS by comparing your dog’s appearance to a chart and performing a few simple tests.
1. You should be able to easily feel – and count – your dog’s ribs as you slide your fingers side to side. If you can’t easily feel those smooth bones, it’s a sign that your pet dog may be carrying extra weight.
2. When you look down at your pet from above, you will see an “hourglass shape” or a depression near the middle. If your pet looks like a blister from above, it may be overweight or obese.
3. When you observe your dog from the side as he stands, you will notice that the belly is slightly sunken or sloping up. If the abdomen is lowered and pulled close to the ground, it indicates that the most biologically active and dangerous form of body fat, belly fat, is present. It’s time to get professional help.
Create a weight loss program for your dog
When most dog owners think “lose weight for dogs,” they think “feed less and exercise more.” If only it were that simple.
The most important thing to do if your dog needs to lose weight is to make sure they are healthy and can’t be blamed for illness or medication. Your vet will perform basic blood and urine tests and review any current conditions or medications. Hypothyroidism is common in many overweight dogs and needs to be controlled first. Arthritis, hyperglycemia or diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and hormonal imbalances can all be caused or exacerbated by excess body fat and require a specific nutritional formula to support it. weight loss.
Why feeding dogs less food can be risky
The problem with “cutting calories” by simply feeding your dog less “regular food” runs the risk of reducing essential nutrients, creating additional problems for dogs with chronic muscle inflammation. excess fat. Most vets can share the story of misguided dog owners who created severe metabolic imbalances in their dogs by feeding a quarter or a half of the “normal” level. often”. Additionally, a dog’s metabolism adapts or “resets” in response to reduced calorie intake, resulting in less weight loss than you might expect.
What to look for in dog food to lose weight?
For overweight dogs, therapeutic weight loss diet It is still the safest and most proven method to reduce excess body fat. Remember that marketing terms such as “weight management”, “a healthy weight”, “weight care” and “weight control” have no regulatory or legal meaning and are not weight loss diet.
Look for foods that are labeled:
- Light
- Lite
- Low calories
- Fewer calories
- Reduce calories
- Lean fat
- Low fat
- Low fat
- Reduce fat
These are approved and proven dog weight loss formulas.
In general, feed the food with the fewest calories per cup or as your dog may prefer. Most therapeutic weight loss recipes will contain 260 fewer calories per cup than a maintenance diet of 325 to 500 calories per cup.
I usually start my dog weight loss patients on higher protein and a high-fiber weight loss diet. Protein and fiber have been shown to help satiety and make your dog feel full for longer, leading to less begging behavior and fussing over food. If a dog doesn’t like a weight loss diet, don’t hesitate to ask your vet for other recommendations. There are many well-researched therapeutic diets with a variety of nutritional formulas to choose from, so your dog can stay healthy while still enjoying their meals.
A good rule of thumb is to transition dogs to new foods at intervals of seven to ten days by adding 25% of the new diet every two to three days. If you want to compare nutrient levels between pet foods, my colleagues at Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, created a Pet food calculator.
How much food should you feed an overweight dog to lose weight?
First, you’ll need to have your dog see a veterinarian and calculate an ideal weight based on his current BCS. Based on how overweight your pet is, your veterinarian may choose a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start with (Step Weight Loss). You can visit PetObesityPrevention.org for calorie recommendations or use this basic recipe for weight loss in dogs:
Weight in pounds divided by 2.2 will give you your weight in kilograms (kg)
Calculate your dog’s Resting Energy Requirement (RER) in calories (kcals) based on ideal or goal weight:
30 x (ideal or target body weight in kg) + 70 = Daily RER Calories
For weight loss in healthy, inactive, indoor, sluggish, or neutered adult dogs, adequate RER calories should be provided for the step weight loss goal weight (or ideal weight in one hour). number of cases). In the event of a failure to respond to this calorie count, your veterinarian may further adjust the total.
How fast should my dog lose weight?
No matter what weight loss food you feed your dog, it will help your dog reach his ideal weight safely and quickly. My general guideline for weight loss in dogs is to lose 3 to 5% of body weight per month. For a 95-pound Labrador Retriever it needs to lose 20 pounds, which is about 4 to 5 pounds per month for 5-6 months. Most of my canine weight loss patients will follow a three to 12 month weight loss program.
If your dog isn’t meeting his weight loss goal every 30 to 90 days, you should cut calories by 10% or try a different diet. I have seen too many dogs fed the same food for months without losing weight. Change quantities, formulas, or brands at least every 90 days if your dog is not losing weight. Metabolic adaptation is real; Periodic dietary changes may be required to keep your dog’s weight loss on track.
How much exercise should I give my dog to lose weight?
Exercise is important, but much of the fat loss begins – and ends – in the bowl and jar. In general, weight loss in dogs is about 70% diet and 30% activity. Try to walk for at least 20-30 minutes or play structured daily.
What about treats for dogs to lose weight?
Record the gifts you are giving. Many of these “calorie grenades” pack a lot of energy into an irresistible flavor bomb. For doggie weight loss, try switching to nutritious, low-calorie veggies like young carrots, sliced cucumbers or zucchini, broccoli, celery, or any other crunchy green that tempts your fangs. .
| Stomach carrots | 2-3 calories per carrot |
| Cucumber | 1 calorie per inch slice |
| Apple | 16 calories per slice (1/8) large red apple |
| Asparagus | 3-5 calories per spear |
| Celery | 6 calories per 7- to 8-inch stalk |
| Broccoli | 5-6 calories per floret |
| Banana | 7-9 calories per inch slice |
| Pumpkin | 21 calories per cup (canned, unsalted) |
Losing weight for dogs is a journey
Good health is a journey. Losing excess fat takes time. Continue on the weight loss path outlined by your veterinarian and you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, happier dog when you reach your destination.
