How to Put a Toy Dog on a Diet

Toy dogs—breeds such as Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas and toy and teacup poodles—weigh less than 10 lbs. as adults. These little dogs are often purchased not just for their sweet and spunky personalities, but also because they travel well and can live happily in apartments. However, their diminutive stature and lifestyle can often lead to weight problems. Many owners prefer to carry these dogs rather than allow them to walk, and are easily convinced to hand over way too many treats. If your toy dog is overweight, you are seriously jeopardizing his health and even his life. To help him lose weight, though, you must work very carefully with a veterinarian to protect his health and immune system during the diet.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Low-fat dog food

Instructions

1. 

   Exercise with your dog. If your dog is too small to take running with you (or is afraid of the outdoors, as some small dogs are), play with her indoors. Make sure that she gets a solid 10 to 30 minutes of playtime at least twice a day. Depending on her weight and stamina, she may want to play more. Check with your vet to make sure that longer play periods will not endanger her joints or heart before you start a playtime marathon.

2. Cut down on portions. If small dogs appear to be scarfing down their food, well-meaning owners may give them extra portions or leftovers from the table. Ask your vet how often your dog needs to eat and how much, then strictly adhere to this rule. Small dogs often need to eat three or even four times a day, but they do not need a lot of food at any one sitting.

3. 

   Eliminate treats. Even if your dog begs, whines and barks, do not give in. Small dogs tend to receive more than their fair share of treats because they have reputations for being picky eaters. Do not succumb to the cuteness factor or to a demanding dog. You are the owner, and you make the rules.

4. Add fresh produce to his diet. If your toy dog needs lots of meals, a good way to help him stay full is to supplement his diet with fresh fruits and vegetables that will help him work off the pounds without thinking he is being starved. Carrots are great for dogs, but stay away from potatoes and tomatoes unless your vet says it is OK. Do not add new foods to your dog's diet without consulting your veterinarian first.

5. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a low-fat dog food. If you are still feeding your adult dog puppy food, you may need to change her diet to lower her calorie intake. However, adult dog foods also vary widely in calorie count and nutritional value. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a good food for your dog as well as the right serving size.

Tips & Warnings

• Never put your dog on a diet without consulting your veterinarian first. Toy dogs in particular have very specific requirements for how often and how much they eat, and neglecting this can put your dog's life in jeopardy.