Obesity is all too common in dogs, too many pounds can negatively impact on the health and well-being of your dog, so you should always intervene to prevent excess weight gain.
Recent studies show that 40 % of all dogs are suffering from obesity. The excess pounds are caused when a dog absorbs more energy from its food than its body actually requires. Excess weight is dangerous as it can bring health problems in its wake, such as:
- Joint disorders
- Skin diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Diabetes
- Reduced life expectancy
There are, however, certain factors that can you need to be aware of that will increase the chance of a dog becoming obese:
- Some breeds such as Labradors and Cocker Spaniels are more prone to putting on weight
- Neutering
- Decreasing activity as the dog ages, for example
- Food requirement incorrectly estimated, e.g. too many big meals and treats
- No feeling of satiation
- Hormonal disorders
How to help your dog lose weight
First you will need to set a realistic weight-loss target, if you are unsure on what this should be, please speak to your vet.
Change your dog onto a food with a lower calorie and fat content and one that is rich in fibre. We would recommend using your kitchen scales to precisely weigh out each meal and if you are wanting to give treats to your dog, deduct some kibble from this and use these as treats.
Other simple tips that help are:
- Feed overweight dogs separately
- Divide the food into several small portions per day
- Increase the length and durations of walks
- Weigh regularly
Light Calorie Control
Our Light calorie control is perfectly tailored to the needs of dogs who need a low-fat diet to maintain good physical condition. This tasty complete feed with just 7 % fat and the high dietary fibre content makes it particularly satisfying. The low-fat recipe is perfect for dogs who need a reduced-fat diet, it is also good for maintaining weight after a diet.
Vet Adipositas (Obesity Diet)
The main features of this diet are the significantly reduced energy and carbohydrate contents. It is rich in high-grade protein and filling roughage. The special recipe creates the optimum conditions for weight reduction whilst protecting the internal organs. If you are interested in learning more you can view product here.
Summary
When deciding which diet is best for your dog, we always recommend that you consult your vet before changing your dog’s diet as it would depend on their own circumstances. If your dog was classified as obese and needed to shed weight quickly, the Vet Adipositas would be the more appropriate diet. In comparison, if your dog needed to lose a bit a weight, then the Light control would be the optimum diet.
View all of our weight loss diets here