Develop a Weight Loss Program for Your Dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPut your dog on a diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDieting is naturally going to be the strongest component of weight loss, keeping gradual loss and safety top of mind. Typically, feeding your pet according to their RER<\/a> (resting energy requirements) should be sufficient in achieving ideal weight. RER is a benchmark of the caloric intake needed by your pet to maintain essential body functions. It is calculated as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\nRER = 70 * (Pets weight, in kilograms)3\/4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nFor example, if a dog needs to be 25 kilograms (55 pounds) to be their ideal, healthy weight, they should eat approximately 780 calories per day. When calculating this, be sure to go off their ideal weight, not their current\/overweight number on the scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Resting](\"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/PBC-Article-Photo-300x180.png\")
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Of course, this measurement is very generalized. Determining how much you need to feed your pet will be unique to their size and starting weight relative to that of their ideal weight. Your veterinarian will incorporate these factors when providing recommendations on what type of food and how much to feed your companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you start your pet on a diet, it\u2019s important to benchmark their weight over time to ensure that the diet is working effectively and in a safe manner. For dogs, aiming for 3-5% body weight loss per month is healthy. Under ideal circumstances, your pet should be able to reach a healthy weight in about 6-8 months. You\u2019ll want to continue monthly check-ins with your veterinarian to monitor this progress and your pet\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Develop an exercise routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe second major component of any weight loss program is exercise. In general, dogs should be going on a 30-minute walk twice per day with ample time for fetch and other activities in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to note that if you are looking to specifically increase weight loss for your dog through walking, you will have to move at a quicker pace than your average leisurely walk with the goal to elevate your pet\u2019s heart rate. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re walking fast enough for your dog when you\u2019re breaking a small sweat and their breathing increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your pet can\u2019t quite muster the energy for that amount of fitness, you can work your way up to it. The key is to encourage activity as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change up treats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile reducing the amount of treats you should give your pet is a no-brainer, consider altering what those treats are. If you haven\u2019t tried it already, you\u2019ll find that most dogs love fruits and veggies<\/a>, like apples, bananas, blueberries, carrots, celery and broccoli. The crunchier the better!<\/p>\n\n\n\nMove the bowl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlong the lines of encouraging movement, change the location of your pet\u2019s food bowl. Placing it in different rooms and moving it around will keep your companion active. Even better, incorporate a puzzle feeder<\/a> so your pet must work to get their food.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAlter meal size<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nInstead of feeding your pet twice or three times per day in larger quantities, give smaller meals frequently. This will allow you and your pet to better pace their eating and keep them more satiated throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t give in!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, reducing food intake will likely magnify any begging behaviors that your pet currently employs to get you to feed them more. Stay strong! And try your best to not feed your dog the table scraps at the end of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dieting is naturally going to be the strongest component of weight loss, keeping gradual loss and safety top of mind. Typically, feeding your pet according to their RER<\/a> (resting energy requirements) should be sufficient in achieving ideal weight. RER is a benchmark of the caloric intake needed by your pet to maintain essential body functions. It is calculated as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n RER = 70 * (Pets weight, in kilograms)3\/4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if a dog needs to be 25 kilograms (55 pounds) to be their ideal, healthy weight, they should eat approximately 780 calories per day. When calculating this, be sure to go off their ideal weight, not their current\/overweight number on the scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, this measurement is very generalized. Determining how much you need to feed your pet will be unique to their size and starting weight relative to that of their ideal weight. Your veterinarian will incorporate these factors when providing recommendations on what type of food and how much to feed your companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you start your pet on a diet, it\u2019s important to benchmark their weight over time to ensure that the diet is working effectively and in a safe manner. For dogs, aiming for 3-5% body weight loss per month is healthy. Under ideal circumstances, your pet should be able to reach a healthy weight in about 6-8 months. You\u2019ll want to continue monthly check-ins with your veterinarian to monitor this progress and your pet\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The second major component of any weight loss program is exercise. In general, dogs should be going on a 30-minute walk twice per day with ample time for fetch and other activities in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note that if you are looking to specifically increase weight loss for your dog through walking, you will have to move at a quicker pace than your average leisurely walk with the goal to elevate your pet\u2019s heart rate. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re walking fast enough for your dog when you\u2019re breaking a small sweat and their breathing increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your pet can\u2019t quite muster the energy for that amount of fitness, you can work your way up to it. The key is to encourage activity as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While reducing the amount of treats you should give your pet is a no-brainer, consider altering what those treats are. If you haven\u2019t tried it already, you\u2019ll find that most dogs love fruits and veggies<\/a>, like apples, bananas, blueberries, carrots, celery and broccoli. The crunchier the better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along the lines of encouraging movement, change the location of your pet\u2019s food bowl. Placing it in different rooms and moving it around will keep your companion active. Even better, incorporate a puzzle feeder<\/a> so your pet must work to get their food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of feeding your pet twice or three times per day in larger quantities, give smaller meals frequently. This will allow you and your pet to better pace their eating and keep them more satiated throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, reducing food intake will likely magnify any begging behaviors that your pet currently employs to get you to feed them more. Stay strong! And try your best to not feed your dog the table scraps at the end of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDevelop an exercise routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Change up treats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Move the bowl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alter meal size<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t give in!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n