How to help your dog get fit in the new year

Many of us will have made resolutions to get fitter in 2024, but what about our pets? Like humans, being overweight can have consequences on our pet’s health, both short term and long term.

Studies have shown that overweight dogs do not live as long and are more prone to illnesses that spoil their quality of life, such as arthritis, breathing difficulties, heart problems and diabetes. There is a genuine risk of killing your pet with kindness. 

You cannot tell by weighing a dog and looking at tables of “right weight for breed” because all individuals are different. The only way is to look at body shape and assess body fat.

Does your pet have a potbelly? Viewed from above, does your dog have a waist – that is, does the body taper after the rib cage? Can you easily feel your dog’s ribs? No waist, a bit of a paunch, and a well-cushioned ribcage means it is time to take action.

You can use this tool to check your dog’s body score and see if they are at the correct weight—www.ukpetfood.org/resource/dog-weight-size-o-meter.html

It is best to start with a trip to the vet. Although increasing exercise is not enough on its own, it is helpful, although your pet will need a check-up for medical conditions that could interfere.

Using a special calorie-controlled food from the vet is usually the most effective way of losing weight and well worth considering. These diets are formulated to make your pet feel full and to ensure that they have all the nutrients they need for less calories. Many vets run weight control clinics providing regular check-ups. They are often free of charge, and help to ensure that the diet is working, and that weight loss is not occurring too rapidly.

Make a record of everything—including table scraps and treats—that your dog eats for a few days. This is often valuable in highlighting “extras” that your pet is getting. A dog that does not seem to eat much dog food probably still has an appetite for sausages!

With calorie-controlled food from the vet, you will be advised how much to feed daily. This will be for the target weight—not the current weight—of your dog. It is best to weigh food out daily, at least to start with. Many dry diets come with calibrated scoops but it is easy to overfill these. You can reduce hunger by feeding two or three times a day, so long as you don't go above the daily recommended amount. If you must feed treats, either take these out of the daily ration, or choose low calorie items, such as a piece of carrot, apple, or rice cake.

It’s usually recommended to reduce calorie intake by 10-20 per cent and to aim for a bodyweight reduction of 1-2 per cent per week. Weigh your pet regularly and repeat body condition scoring—they are at their correct weight when their BCS is 3/5.

If you are not using one of the recommended “calorie-control” foods, but just reducing the amount of normal food, the diet is less likely to be successful. It’s harder to keep your pet feeling satisfied and to be sure that they are getting adequate vitamins and minerals.  You can try buying a “light” (or “lite”) diet and feeding three-quarters of what is recommended on the packet for your dog's “target” (ie the right, slim) weight but, as previous, it’s harder to keep your pet feeling satisfied and to be sure that they are getting adequate vitamins and minerals. This is usually about 15 per cent less than the current weight, but if you are unsure, check with your vet.

However, many of these diets are designed to avoid weight gain, but they are not “reducing” diets to promote weight loss. If your pet is not losing weight after two months, you should consider changing to a diet from the vet.

Remember non-fattening treats too, such as going for a walk, playing a game or simply stroking and giving attention. They last longer than food, help to strengthen your relationship more—and are good for your health too!

Don’t expect to walk or run off the calories; dogs are very active creatures, so achieving the equivalent of a “human gym workout” is practically impossible! Increasing exercise alone is not enough, although it is helpful.

Start gradually, and be especially careful with elderly pets, particularly in hot weather. Older pets should see the vet first. Little and often is the safest way to start. Consult your vet right away if you notice your dog is limping or struggling with exercise.

Try to take your dog out at least twice a day, and start to introduce active games—ambling down the road on a lead is not going to burn off many calories.

Increase the activity level at home as well. Buy toys in which you can hide food, such as buster cubes, but remember to deduct the “treat” from the daily food allowance.

For more expert pet advice visit bluecross.org.uk