How to Slim Down a Fat Dog

It's hard enough for people to lose weight, but putting a dog on a diet requires a lot of dedication, discipline and self-control. Fat pets can develop serious health problems and can have a significantly shorter lifespan. Read on for ways to help your overweight dog slim down.

Instructions

1. 

   First, you need to make sure there is not a health problem that's contributing to the dog being overweight. Have a vet do a physical to rule out a thyroid problem. It's more likely your dog is overweight due to overeating and lack of exercise.

2. 

   Weigh your dog so you have a starting point and then set a realistic goal. You'll want to do this with a vet's guidance. It's not realistic to have a 100 pound dog and expect him to shed 30 pounds in three months. One statistic found it's as difficult for a dog to lose one pound as it is for a human to lose five!

3. 

   Walk your dog twice a day. This means put your pet on a leash and take him for a 30 minute walk two times a day. This does not mean put your dog out in the backyard and expect him to chase rabbits (or putting him on your hip while you walk). If you're dedicated to getting your canine healthy this is a crucial step. If it means you'll have to wake up 30 minutes earlier in the morning and walk him after dinner - do it!

4. Adjust your pet's diet. Measure how much dog food you're giving him at each meal. This way you can control the number of calories the dog is taking in. It's also a good idea to switch to a diet pet food specifically designed for weight loss in pets. (For more on slowly changing a dog's food see the link below) You can still give your dog treats ON OCCASION but make sure they're diet treats. Consider breaking them in half or quarters and giving your pet only a portion at a time.

5. Avoid giving your dog table food at all costs. This is where dogs get a huge amount of unnecessary calories. If the dog whines, begs, or gives you a pathetic puppy dog face keep him out of the kitchen during dinner so you don't cave. Your dog should NEVER eat anything but dog food.

Tips & Warnings

• When you have more time on the weekends, take your dog to a park, on a hike or for a swim.

• In larger breeds especially, obesity can lead to heart, knee, and shoulder problems just to name a few.

Resources

• Switching Pet Foods Gradually