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Dog Weight LossDog weight loss can cause fat dogs to live up to 2 years longer. Two years! Experts estimate that up to half of all dogs are obese and that the percentage is climbing. And between 60 and 70% of the owners of fat dogs don’t think their dogs are obese, according to the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Could you be one of the 3 to 4 out of 5 owners of overweight dogs who don’t recognize that their dog is fat? Don’t put this off. If you don’t already know, pick up the phone right now and call your vet to determine the ideal weight for your dog. I’ll wait right here… …got the number? How does it compare to your dog’s current weight? If your dog could stand to lose a few, keep reading… Jump straight to the best dog food on the market for weight loss How do fat dogs get that way in the first place? Health benefits of maintaining an ideal weight Best way to help your dog lose weight and keep it off Weight loss recipes How Do Fat Dogs Get That Way in the First Place?I hate to say it, but your dog is probably overweight because of you.The equation is the same for pets as it is for humans:
What do your dog’s diet and exercise look like? Too many sweets or fatty foods fill your dog’s belly without having the right amounts of protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Your dog’s instinct will be to eat more to obtain these essential nutrients, and they will get fatter and fatter in the process.  As far as exercise goes, dogs were first domesticated as working companions. The couch potato companion dog is a relatively recent phenomenon, and even the healthiest of diets need to be burned off by adequate exercise. There is a chance that your dog is obese because of metabolism or hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (also known as Cushing’s disease) that can cause uncontrollable hunger. Take your dog to the vet to make sure one of these is not the issue before proceeding. In addition to following our advice further down the page, your vet will most likely offer special treatment to get these conditions under control. Another factor to consider is the aftermath of having your dog spayed or neutered. Several studies have proven that there are higher rates of obesity in dogs that are no longer intact which is probably due to a change in hormone levels. Keep a close eye on your dog’s weight after they have been spayed or neutered. (back to top of dog weight loss) Health Benefits of Dog Weight Loss & Maintaiing an Ideal WeightIf extending your dog’s life by two years isn’t enough to get you motivated, then take a look at the other negative health effects of
ignoring dog weight loss:
(back to top of dog weight loss) Best Way to Promote Dog Weight Loss & Help Them Keep It OffHere’s some extra motivation before you get started: An Ohio State study concluded that dog weight loss programs are extremely successful and achieve a mean weight loss of 15% body weight.The 3 legs of an effective dog weight loss program are:
We have 2
recommended dog weight loss recipes further down the page.
There are also many specially formulated dog weight loss dog foods on
the market, but work with your vet to help you choose a good one.
If one of the 3 legs is removed, the table will fall over. Be sure to set a plan that adheres closely to all three. To get started, set a goal and stick to it. Work with your vet to determine your dog’s ideal weight and have them recommend and sign off on a diet and exercise plan. Confirm that there are no underlying health conditions as discussed above. 
Do NOT simply run to the store and buy “low-fat” dog food.
Often times commercial dog foods are not specially formulated for
active weight loss. If you don’t want to prepare your own
food as discussed in the next section, have your holistic vet recommend
a good product. If your dog doesn’t like it, continue getting
recommendations until you find one that suits you both. (A dog
nutritionist can also be recommended by your vet.)Next, you know what they say, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure!” Weigh and document your dog’s weight each week. Check in with your vet periodically to discuss progress along with your dog’s general overall condition. Finally, BE PATIENT. As long as your dog is continually losing weight – even very small amounts per week – they are on the right track. Shoot for a loss of 1 to 2% body weight per week. Anything more could mean that your dog is losing muscle, in which case you may need to up the exercise. (back to top of dog weight loss) Best Dog Weight Loss Food on the MarketThere are tons of dog foods out there claiming that they will help your dog lose weight, but only a very small percentage of them will keep your dog in optimal health.The following foods pass the Healthy Label Test with a "5 out of 5", so you can be confident that they will keep your dog healthy while shedding the extra pounds... (back to top of dog weight loss) Dog Weight Loss RecipesDr. Pitcairn’s Natural Health for Dogs and Cats recommends the following 2 recipes for dog weight loss. Use this table to determine how much to feed per meal based on your dog’s ideal weight:
The following diet is better suited for smaller dogs because it uses relatively higher amounts of meat:
(back to top of dog weight loss) Also see... Best Natural Organic Dog Food on the Market The Next Generation in Dog Care: Dog Holistic Health Back to Illnesses & Remedies from Dog Weight Loss
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