How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

If you have an overweight dog, you are not alone. An estimated 40% of dogs in the United States are obese. This goes along with the current trend of increasing obesity rates among people in America as our lifestyle becomes more sedentary and full of junk food. Just like in people, obesity is dangerous for pets and can lead to many health problems, including diabetes, a shorter life, arthritis, liver and heart problems. So if you really love your dog, put that treat away and read on for tips on how to help your pet lose weight and live a long, healthy life:

Instructions

1

First, make sure you feed your pet the recommended amount for his breed and size. Check out the link below to find the recommended amount of food you should feed your dog based on his breed and size. Be sure to go by what your dog's ideal weight should be, not his current weight if he is overweight. You can also ask your vet for a recommendation of how much to feed your dog.

2




Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, advises that every dog needs to be walked daily to get enough exercise and stimulation. Even if you have a backyard, it's important to walk your dog to make sure she gets enough exercise and gets to see and explore new places while also bonding with you. Even small dogs need to be walked. Also, some breeds need more exercise than others, so research your dog's breed to find out if your dog will need to go on a daily run or just needs a stroll around the block. Playing with your dog is also a great way for your dog to get exercise.

3

Besides feeding your dog the recommended amount, be sure not to feed him treats or table scraps. If you need treats for training, try special diet snacks or light items such as carrots as a treat. Also, if you use a lot of treats for training, reduce your dog's regular food to account for those extra calories. You may also want to buy a diet dog food to help your dog lose weight if he has a lot of extra fat.

4

If you don't have the time or health requirements to exercise with your dog, you may want to hire a dog walker or even a dog runner. Many petsitting services offer dog walking, and some services specialize in running with dogs - a sort of "dog personal trainer." You can Google dog runner and your city to find dog runners in your area.