Obesity in pets is a growing problem! Helping your dog to lose weight can be difficult and a real challenge for some breeds, but we hope you will find the following tips and tricks helpful!
Activity feeders
Activity feeders are a great way to help your pet lose weight. They are a great source of enrichment, encourage them to move around more, and the slow release of food means they are more likely to feel full after the meal than they would if they ate it all in one go out of a bowl.
There are some other options, such as:
● Throwing the food up the stairs
● Calling your dog so they have to move from room to room to get the food
● Scattering it on the floor or in the garden
● Using the meal as a reward to teach them a new trick
● Moving the bowls around the house for them to find
● Splitting the meal up and hiding portions for your dog to seek out.
What Should I feed?
Whilst some dogs think wet food is more tasty, it is much less filling than dry food. This is because once eaten, the biscuits gently expand in the stomach during digestion which means your dog will feel fuller for longer.
Should I Stay or Switch?
Deciding to switch your dog’s food can be a big decision. However it is useful to know that the way weight loss diets are developed means that they can be fed a greater quantity of food without being subjected to weight gain. This is a good alternative if you find your dog is feeling hungry due to smaller portions of their normal diet.
Weigh Your Rations
We strongly recommend you weigh your dog’s food to ensure they are being fed consistent amounts. This can be once a day or done in advance. Take the day’s ration and place it in a container. Any treats can then come out of the container during the day, this way you know that your dog is not being overfed.
Useful Facts…
Carrots can make a great treat, however did you know that one medium sized carrot contains approximately 80 kcal (calories) – treats are fine, but give everything in moderation and consider this when weighing out your pets daily rations.
Most dogs love treats and aren’t afraid to let us know! However, if they are overweight it is important to cut back to ensure they stay happy and healthy for as long as possible. In many cases, dogs find the interaction they have with people far more rewarding than actually eating the treat itself. If your dog seems hungry or is begging for food, try playing a game with them, teaching them a new trick or just spend some time making a good fuss of them.
