5 ways to help your dog lose weight

Is your dog a little overweight? If so, you're not alone. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of American pets are overweight. Unfortunately, that extra weight can cause a lot of health issues for our pets.

Risks associated with pet obesity

Like humans, obese dogs are at risk for serious health consequences. Obesity puts extra strain on a dog's joints, increasing the risk of developing arthritis and other joint issues. Heart disease is also a common risk. Excess weight can put a strain on the heart.

Pet obesity can increase the risk of your pet developing diabetes. Respiratory problems, such as difficulty breathing, are also common in obese pets. Pet obesity can also lead to decreased life expectancy. Studies have shown that overweight pets tend to have shorter lifespans compared to pets at a healthy weight.

With all these serious health conditions, it's critical to keep your dog at a healthy weight. If your dog needs to shed a few pounds, here are a few simple steps for helping your dog lose weight.

1. Cut down your dog's caloric intake

The first step to help your dog lose weight is to understand how many calories your dog needs based on its breed, size, and activity level. If you're relying on the feeding recommendations on dog food labels, you might be giving your dog more calories than it needs. The feeding recommendations aren't going to be right for every dog. Food label recommendations are estimates based on a dog's size, not their activity level. A working border collie on a farm will need more calories than a schnauzer whose daily activities include lounging on the couch. Yet they're roughly the same weight, so if you were to go by what the food label recommends, you'd feed them the same amount.

If you've been feeding your dog the same food for a while and he or she is gaining weight, it's time to consider cutting down the portions. Start by decreasing portions by small increments and keep track of your dog's weight. If you're unsure how much to feed your dog, consult your veterinarian. They'll be able to come up with a diet plan that's right for your dog and its unique needs.

2. Measure out your dog's meals

Be sure to measure out their meals with a measuring cup or scale. Guessing won't cut it. Keeping track of the exact amount your dog is eating every day will help determine whether your weight loss plan is working or not.

One miscalculation of just a few ounces can greatly affect your dog's weight, especially with smaller dogs. If you feed your dog 1 cup (8 ounces) a day and you give them just one extra ounce by miscalculating, that's a 12% increase. Pre-measuring meals will help you stay consistent and is an efficient way to feed a hungry dog in a hurry.

3. Exercise your dog regularly

Do you walk your dog every day? If not, it's time to start. Daily walks will help your dog lose weight and provide mental stimulation that your dog can't get indoors. It's the time of day when they can go out and explore.

Besides daily walks, one of the easiest ways to get your dog active is to play with them more. A few short sessions of play every day not only burns calories, but it will also enrich your dog's life by giving them a sense of purpose and routine. A few of the games you can play with your dog to keep them active are:

• Fetch
• Tug of war
• Chasing bubbles
• Frisbee
• Hide & Seek

When starting a new exercise plan for your dog, remember to take it slowly by gradually increasing their daily activity. Like us, dogs can injure themselves and get sore if they overextend themselves.

4. Cut down on extra snacks and treats

Dogs love treats, and it's easy to get carried away when we see how happy all those snacks make them. But all those extra calories add up and can be difficult to work off.

If you still want to reward your dog with treats, try cutting them in half or quarters. Our dogs don't care about the size of snacks. They're happy that they're getting them. If you don't have any low-calorie treats, try fruits and veggies to establish healthy eating habits for dogs such as:

• Apples (remove the seeds)
• Strawberries
• Carrots
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Celery
• Watermelon (remove the seeds)

5. Keep track of your dog's weight loss progress

When starting a weight loss program for your dog, it's important to keep track of their progress. Take note of how much exercise they're getting, how much food they’re eating, and how many extra snacks they get each day.

Weigh them regularly to see how your plan is working. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, a safe weight loss for most dogs is 3-5% body weight loss per month. If your dog started at 50 pounds, you'd be aiming for them to lose around 2.5 pounds per month.

If you don't have a scale at home to weigh your dog, you can take a trip to the vet's office and use theirs. Not only is it a convenient way to weigh your dog, but it's also a nice way to let your dog know that the vet's office is more than just a scary place where they get poked and prodded.

Remember, all dogs are different, and some will lose weight more quickly than others. If your dog still isn't losing weight after putting them on a weight loss program, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues.

Will pet insurance cover obesity?

Most pet insurance plans typically cover injuries, illnesses, accidents, and emergency care. They may also cover routine wellness care, such as vaccinations. If your pet develops a condition related to obesity, treatment for the condition may be covered – if it can't be considered pre-existing.

If there is coverage for obesity-related conditions, a pet insurance policy may often come with certain restrictions and limitations. Review the policy carefully to learn what's covered regarding obesity. You may also want to consider add-on or separate pet wellness plans that may cover weight management and nutrition programs.