How to help my dog lose weight

My mutt Ace is one of the fittest dogs I know. He has a naturally lean body, and his sleek coat shows off his frame. He also gets plenty of exercise, and I don’t overfeed him.

People are so used to seeing overweight dogs that they tell me my dog is underweight. It’s no wonder so many of us have fat pets. We don’t even realize they’re fat!

Hide a dog’s obesity under a thick coat of fur, and it’s even easier to overfeed her. Try shaving your dog or giving her a haircut to see what she really looks like under all that fur.

Ace’s weight is one piece of his overall health that I have complete control over. He will become fat if I let him, and he will starve if I let him. I want my dog to be around as long as possible. And while he’s here, I want him to be healthy. One of the easiest ways to be healthy is to eat a proper diet and exercise regularly (in case you haven’t heard).

Eat less. Exercise more. What a concept.

If only it were as easy as it sounds. Then we wouldn’t have such a problem with our own waistlines. But whether you are fat or not, why on earth would you allow your dog to become fat?

It sounds so easy to keep a pet at a healthy weight, but obviously it’s not easy or more people would have thin pets.

Tips for helping your dog lose weight

1. Don’t feed based on what the package says.

Dog food companies want you to feed your dog too much so you will buy more food. Ace is 65 pounds, and he eats 3-4 cups of dry dog food per day. Keep in mind my dog also goes for walks and runs every day. On days we do longer workouts, I might give him an extra half cup. If your dog is not getting as much exercise as Ace, he should be eating nowhere near the same amount of food. It also depends a lot on the quality of food you are using.

2. Stop feeding table scraps and human food.

Every time you give your dog a potato chip or a piece of bread or a bit of your cheese, he is getting extra calories. Your dog is most likely a lot smaller than you. One potato chip for your dog is not the same as one potato chip for you. Instead of giving your dog “just a taste” or “just one piece,” become more disciplined and stop feeding him your food all together. Trust me, he will forgive you.

I’m not saying that human-quality food is bad for dogs. I’m saying, stop feeding your dog extras.

3. Train your dog to stay on his bed or in his kennel while you eat.

If your dog is not begging, you will be less likely to offer handouts.

My dog is always hungry. At least he thinks he is. Ace begs if I don’t stop him. He also begs from everyone else he knows. However, if we’re at home and I tell him to go to his bed, he goes in the other room and lies on his bed. Or, if I put him in a down-stay position anywhere else, he will stay until I release him. That doesn’t mean he won’t stare at me with pleading eyes from a distance, but at least he’s not begging right in front of me. I even taught him the word “out” which means, “Get your butt out of the kitchen!”

You can always put your dog in his kennel or in a separate room during your meals. This is a good time to feed him his own food. That way begging at the table will not become a habit and he will associate his kennel with food. At the very least, get him to lie down and stay at your feet rather than shove his nose in your crotch.

4. Cut out treats completely.

I don’t understand people who buy several bags of dog treats of all different kinds for their dogs. I barely buy any treats for Ace at all. All I use are jerky treats which can be torn into tiny pieces the sizes of M&Ms for training. A small bag might last me two months. I also use Ace’s actual dog food or my cat’s food for training. I see no reason to offer my dog treats throughout the day just for existing.

5. Go for a hike once a week.

Lately I’ve been giving myself permission in my busy schedule to take one morning a week to go on a long, relaxing run or walk with my dog. I really look forward to these walks. We drive to a park rather than walk through our boring neighborhood, and I give myself at least one hour. Make this a habit and you could be walking 12 or more extra miles per month.

6. Get help from your veterinarian.

Veterinarians are there to help. Your vet should be able to recommend the proper diet and activity level for your particular dog based on his age, breed, health issues and weight. It’s possible your dog is not losing weight because of a thyroid issue or another medical problem. If you think this is a possibility, then talk to your vet about it.

7. Measure your dog’s food.

Know exactly how much food your dog is getting. Never allow an overweight dog to self feed from a bowl that is always full. Control his portions by measuring his food and giving him access to eat for limited periods. That way you can decrease his portions by a little at a time and know exactly how much your dog is eating.

8. Give your dog a bone once a week.

Dogs love bones! Sometimes I give my dog an actual bone, and sometimes I give him a raw hide. Either way, they last him a week or so for some good chewing sessions and not a lot of calories. There’s no reason to give a dog a new bone every single day, but bones for dogs are healthy for their gums and teeth.

Whatever it is that your dog likes such as pigs’ ears, knuckle bones or raw hides should be given sparingly. I allow Ace to chew on his bone for 20-30 minutes every day or two. That way he’s still getting the benefits but not too many extra calories. The bone also lasts longer and he values it more. If you’re concerned about bacteria growing on the bone, then throw leftovers away each time and give him a new one at his next chewing session.

9. Feed your dog high-quality dog food.

You wouldn’t want to eat McDonald’s every day, so why feed lower-quality food to your dog? If it’s too expensive, one trick I use is to mix two kinds of food or alternate between the two. Just be careful not to suddenly introduce new food to your dog or he could get an upset stomach. You may be interested in feeding your dog a raw dog food diet.

10. Walk for 30 minutes every single day.

Now’s the time to make this a habit. You and your dog will benefit. For some, that time should be 60 minutes per day. If walks are no fun because your dog pulls, then get a Halti or a Gentle Leader for dogs.

11. Visit the dog park.

This is a good way for you to be lazy, but at least your dog will be getting some more activity. I recommend walking your dog before you go to the dog park to burn off some energy and get some exercise. Then, visit the dog park right afterward as a reward and added activity.

12. Hire a dog walker or dog runner.

Not having enough time is probably the number one excuse not to exercise other than pure laziness. If you can afford a dog walker or dog runner to take your dog out even once a week for some extra exercise, it will pay off. Running is ideal because a quicker pace will help speed up your dog’s metabolism.

13. Take your dog to dog daycare.

Dog daycare usually is not as structured as a walk or a run, but it’s better than your dog sleeping on the couch all day. At least he’s being active, and he’ll probably have a great time playing and socializing with other dogs.

14. Give your dog enough water.

The kibble most of our dogs eat does not contain much water. Allow your dog to have as much water as he wants. It’s a good way to temporarily feel full.

15. Play with and train your dog more often.

Even little things like a 10-minute game of fetch or a quick training session in the backyard help you and your dog become a little more active.

What do you do to make sure your dog is a healthy weight?

You may also be interested in my post on how to help a cat lose weight.