Weight Loss Tips for Dogs.

Has the vet advised that it's time to put Fido on a diet? Do you feel guilty scaling back their meal sizes or taking away the treats? 
We all know what it's like when they look at you with those big brown eyes, just begging for a little more food!
Our tips below are some easy changes you can make to keep your pooch and vet happy whilst bringing their waist line back! 

1)

Assess the main diet of your dog.
Have a look at the kibble or meat that you are feeding your dog. Is it high in fat? Look to move to a low fat option. Your vet or local pet store will be able to help you find low fat kibble options. For meat feeders, look at low fat proteins such as turkey or kangaroo.

2)

Adjust your meal sizes.
Make sure you are feeding a meal size that is suitable for your dog's IDEAL weight, not their current weight. Feeding to the current weight will only maintain the weight they are at. Ensure if the suggest meal size for your dog is 1 cup and you feed twice daily, that your dog is getting 1/2 cup each meal to meet their daily requirements, not 1 cup daily.

3)

Treats.
Is your dog getting treats often throughout the day? A lot of dog treats are high in fat so it's best to substitute them with more health friendly options. You could use a portion of their low fat kibble or diced low fat loaf from their daily requirements or check out our blog on healthy treat alternatives HERE!

4)

Increase physical exercise.
Providing your dog has no physical restrictions, they may need their daily exercise increased. You can reach out to family members or neighbours who may have some responsible teens who are looking to make some pocket money or use a professional dog walker if you are unable to increase their exercise. 
Alternative options to walking and running include water exercise, either at the beach or a dog suitable pool. This can be a fantastic option for arthritic or recovering dogs as it takes the weight off their legs and can relieve sore joints too. 

5)

Meal numbers.
How many meals is your dog eating each day? Ideally two meal a day, morning and night, will help to regulate your dog's ability to process their food and burn fat and energy. If you choose to only feed once daily, ensure this meal is given in the mornings and not at night. A large meal at night will only get the chance to turn to fat.
You can also divide your dog's total meal quantity by given 3/4 in the morning and 1/4 at night to help with this too.