How are you doing with your latest New Year\u2019s resolutions? Did you make any resolutions involving your canine companion?<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re still focused on your goals for the year, that\u2019s great! If you\u2019ve already given up, just remember today\u2019s a new day. It\u2019s not even February \u2014 there are still 10.5 months left to make something happen.<\/p>\n
If helping your overweight dog get healthier or lose weight is on your list but you\u2019re not sure where to begin, we\u2019ve identified seven steps to help you get started.<\/p>\n
These factors should be recorded in your dog\u2019s medical record and will be used as a starting point for your dog\u2019s weight management program. Your veterinarian may also provide an ideal, or target, body weight for your canine companion so you can help your dog lose weight safely<\/a>. If you\u2019re not sure whether your pooch is pudgy, we can help you figure that out<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t know how much to feed your dog if you don\u2019t know how many calories your pet needs each day. Overfeeding a dog is easy \u2014 which helps explain why more than half of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese.<\/p>\n Your veterinarian or veterinary nurse will happily calculate the proper number of calories your dog needs for weight loss. Or if you enjoy math, you can crunch the numbers yourself. Here\u2019s the formula you\u2019ll need to know to maintain your dog\u2019s ideal weight: [(pet\u2019s weight in pounds \u00f7 2.2) x 30] + 70 = calories needed daily. This should give you a general idea of how many calories you should be feeding, assuming your dog weighs between 5 and 100 pounds.<\/p>\n Once you know how many calories your dog needs, you can figure out how much to feed. This step could be eye-opening for you, especially if you don\u2019t presently measure your dog\u2019s food or limit the number of treats that are given.<\/p>\n You may need to make some decisions about what food and treats to feed. Should you change your canine companion\u2019s food to a weight management formula such as Diamond CARE Weight Management Formula for Adult Dogs<\/a>? Can you limit the number of treats to no more than 10 percent of your dog\u2019s daily calories? Can you find alternative treats that are healthier for your best friend, such as green beans or carrots?<\/p>\n If you find all of this math confusing, your veterinarian or veterinary nurse can help you develop a food and treat plan that works for you and your dog.<\/p>\n A pet parent\u2019s single greatest tool in the fight against excess weight is a measuring cup. You\u2019ll want to use one to carefully measure the amount of food given at each meal. It\u2019s an easy way to know how much your dog is eating (assuming no one else is also feeding the dog) and to make adjustments as needed.<\/p>\n Small increases in exercise and play can make a big difference. If your furry friend is already getting 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking, increase the time spent by about 25 percent. If your dog is relatively inactive, start with the American Animal Hospital Association\u2019s recommendation of five-minute walks<\/a> three times a day.<\/p>\n Because it can be difficult to see changes early in the process, continue to visit your veterinary clinic to track your dog\u2019s weight. Initially, you\u2019ll want to reweigh your dog every two weeks, but then the time between weigh-ins can be stretched to every two to four weeks.<\/p>\n Depending on your veterinary clinic\u2019s policy, you may want to schedule a short visit with a veterinary nurse. A \u201cweight check\u201d or weigh-in offers several benefits. Your dog is weighed on the same scale. The new weight can be added to your dog\u2019s medical record. You have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns or get help with adjusting food or treats. And weigh-ins at the clinic also let you celebrate your dog\u2019s successes!<\/p>\n All family members need to be onboard with helping your dog lose weight and get healthier. One person should be responsible for feeding the dog to avoid overfeeding. And everyone should be aware of the importance of limiting treats. Consider using a jar to hold the daily treat portion \u2014 ideally with treats broken into smaller pieces \u2014 that anyone in the home can give. When the treat jar is empty, that\u2019s it for treats that day.<\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget about the food bowls of other pets in the home. Make sure your dog doesn\u2019t sabotage his or her weight loss efforts by sneaking food from other pets\u2019 bowls.<\/p>\n2. Calculate the number of calories your dog needs.<\/h3>\n
3. Evaluate the food and treats your dog is currently eating and calculate how much of each you can feed.<\/h3>\n
4. Measure your dog\u2019s food.<\/h3>\n
5. Increase your dog\u2019s activity level.<\/h3>\n
6. Weigh your dog regularly.<\/h3>\n
7. Watch for saboteurs.<\/h3>\n