Five effective weight loss strategies for obese dogs

More than 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight, with many requiring urgent help to lose excess weight that negatively impacts their health. Carrying extra body fat increases risks of joint strain, heart disease and other serious conditions. Preventing obesity is ideal, but if your dog is already obese, targeted action is needed to support safe weight loss.

If your dog is overweight or obese, following a carefully planned approach under veterinary supervision is vital. Here we offer five key strategies to help your dog lose weight responsibly and sustainably.

1. Consult a Veterinarian and Choose a Vet-Recommended Diet

Start with a visit to your vet to assess your dog's overall health and identify any underlying causes of obesity. Your vet can tailor a weight loss diet with the right calorie restriction without compromising essential nutrients. A specialised formulation may be advised rather than simply reducing the amount of the usual food.

Diets should be balanced to provide at least 20% high-quality protein to preserve muscle, include beneficial fats such as fish oils, and contain fibre to aid digestion. Avoid high carbohydrate, sugary, or poor-quality fatty foods as these hinder weight loss and satiety.

Feeding wet food can be advantageous since its water content helps your dog feel fuller with fewer calories.

2. Control Food Portions and Establish a Feeding Schedule

Measure your dog’s daily food intake carefully rather than free-feeding or guessing amounts. Consistently feeding once or twice a day supports metabolism regulation and helps prevent begging.

Calculate the appropriate daily calories with your vet. Allow a small portion of the calorie budget for treats, ensuring these are healthy and included in your dog’s total daily calories to avoid sabotage of weight loss.

3. Increase Exercise Gradually

Regular physical activity boosts metabolism and supports weight loss. Begin gently with short walks or playful activities like fetch, especially if your dog is sedentary or arthritic, gradually increasing duration to at least 30 minutes daily.

Encourage activities your dog enjoys such as socialising with other dogs or swimming, making exercise fun and sustainable rather than a chore.

4. Limit Treats and Avoid Table Scraps

Treats and human food often add unnecessary calories without nutritional benefit. Treats should be limited to under 10% of daily calorie intake and selected for healthfulness—think apple slices or blueberries instead of high-fat or sugary snacks.

Reward your dog with praise, play, or affection to reinforce positive behaviour rather than food treats.

5. Support with Vet-Recommended Supplements if Appropriate

Some supplements containing fibres, B vitamins, or L-carnitine may help improve satiety, fat metabolism and gut health to support weight loss, but these should be used alongside diet and exercise adjustments and only under veterinary guidance.

Understanding and Avoiding Yo-Yo Dieting

Reverting to old feeding and exercise habits will cause your dog to regain weight. Developing a maintenance plan after reaching ideal weight is crucial to avoid the harmful cycle of losing then regaining weight multiple times.

This means sustaining a balanced feeding schedule and regular exercise as part of your dog’s lifelong routine.

Additional Tips for Success

• Feed only from bowls to control intake precisely and avoid free feeding.
• Separate your dog during meals if you have multiple pets to prevent competition or overeating.
• Use interactive feeders or slow-feed bowls to encourage slower eating and mental stimulation.

By combining these strategies thoughtfully and with veterinary advice, you'll help your dog achieve a healthier weight, improving quality of life and longevity.

For those seeking a new dog that fits an active lifestyle, it’s important to find a puppy from reputable breeders who prioritise health and temperament.