How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

The internet is awash with videos and memes of funny, chubby pets these days. A seemingly harmless observation, which gets a lot more ominous when paired with the following fact: nearly half of all dogs in the UK are overweight. Further, if this trend continues, obese pets will actually outnumber healthy ones in a couple of years.

This is important to bring to attention because, unbeknownst to most, obesity can be life-threatening for pets too, and they’ll be far more likely to suffer from one of the following conditions: diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and immune system dysfunction.

That’s why, this month, Jaycliffe Pets are going to provide some useful tips about how to help your dog lose weight.

Be wary of treats

Now, this point shouldn’t be taken the wrong way. This is not to say that all treats are bad, but rather that some treats – salty, sugary, fatty treats – are bad to give to your pooch. What’s worse is, because these treats are so small, owners barely realise how many calories they are feeding their pet in one sitting!

So, the take-home point is this: feed your dog nutritious treats. Whether you look online or ask for assistance in a shop, make sure you look for low-calorie treats, or functional treats which might improve things such as dental health. Be wary of how often these treats are used, too; these things add up!

Measure meals precisely

One of the biggest causes of our beloved pets’ expanding midriffs is the attention we pay, or lack thereof, to the amount of food we dish out at any given meal. All owners are guilty of it – we tend to estimate. However, this is a habit we should all iron out. Studies have shown that as little as ten extra nuggets/biscuits of food per meal can have a profound impact on a dog’s weight.

Walkies = weight loss

Although diet is absolutely key in helping your dog shed some pounds, daily exercise is still undoubtedly non-negotiable. In fact, if you’re pooch is on a diet, perhaps multiple walks would be your best bet, or at least an additional romp in the garden! That said, if this level of exercise is unachievable, then a 30 minute brisk walk should be the minimum.

What’s more, these little exercise sessions are mutually beneficial! You should never think of a dog walk as a chore, instead, think about the good it’s doing the both of you.

Jaycliffe Pets provide a home-from-home for your pets whilst you are away. We offer both day care services and long-term stays for your pets, and will ensure they get all the necessary exercise, comfort and their accustomed diet during their stay. Our Rotherham-based kennels, cattery and grooming services are run by true animal lovers and pet care experts who live on site to allow around the clock care. For enquiries and further information, get in touch with our friendly team today.