Weight Management
Achieve and maintain your dog's ideal weight naturally
Over 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Excess weight contributes to diabetes, joint disease, heart problems, and shortened lifespan. Fresh, whole-food nutrition combined with portion control can help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Health Impacts of Excess Weight
Joint Stress
Increased risk of arthritis, hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament tears
Heart Disease
Higher blood pressure and increased cardiac workload
Diabetes Risk
Obesity leads to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
Shorter Lifespan
Overweight dogs may live up to 2.5 years less than healthy-weight dogs
Assessing Your Dog's Body Condition
Body Condition Score (BCS) 1-9 Scale
Ribs, spine, and hip bones easily visible; no body fat; severe waist and abdominal tuck
Ribs easily felt without excess fat; visible waist behind ribs; abdominal tuck present
Ribs difficult to feel under fat layer; waist barely visible; slight abdominal tuck
Ribs not palpable under heavy fat; no waist; no abdominal tuck; fat deposits on back and tail base
Healthy Weight Loss Strategy
1. Calculate Target Calories
Determine your dog's ideal weight, then calculate daily calories for that weight. Typically reduce by 20-30% from maintenance needs.
Safe weight loss rate: 1-2% of body weight per week
2. Increase Protein Percentage
High-protein meals help preserve muscle mass during weight loss and increase satiety. Aim for 30-40% of calories from lean proteins.
3. Add Low-Calorie Volume
Incorporate high-fiber, low-calorie vegetables to add volume without excess calories.
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
4. Control Treat Calories
Treats should account for no more than 10% of daily calories. Use low-calorie options like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or small pieces of lean meat.
5. Increase Activity Gradually
Start with gentle exercise and increase duration gradually. Swimming and walking are excellent low-impact options for overweight dogs.
Sample Weight Loss Meal Framework
Protein (50% of meal volume)
Lean chicken breast, turkey, white fish, or 93% lean ground beef
Vegetables (40% of meal volume)
Green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots (steamed or raw)
Healthy Fats (10% of meal volume)
Small amount of fish oil, flaxseed oil, or coconut oil for essential fatty acids
Supplements
Balanced vitamin/mineral supplement to ensure nutritional completeness
Common Weight Loss Mistakes
⚠️ Reducing Calories Too Drastically
Severe restriction can slow metabolism and cause muscle loss. Gradual reduction is more sustainable
⚠️ Not Accounting for Treats
Hidden calories from treats, table scraps, and training rewards can sabotage weight loss
⚠️ Inconsistent Portions
Eyeballing portions leads to overfeeding. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy
⚠️ No Exercise Plan
Diet alone is less effective. Combining nutrition with activity yields best results
Get a Personalized Weight Loss Plan
Schedule a consultation to create a safe, effective weight loss plan tailored to your dog's needs, activity level, and health conditions.
Schedule a Consultation