Help your dog lose weight with these expert tips from PDSA vet nurse Gemma Renwick

Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer health problems. Here are some tips for keeping them healthy and fit

Published: Thursday, 30 May 2024 at 13:14 PM

Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from a number of health problems including diabetes and urinary tract disease, but it can also worsen other health problems such as arthritis, says PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick.

That’s why it’s so important to keep our dogs at a healthy weight – what that healthy weight is will be dependent on many factors so discuss this with your vet.

Our PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2023 showed us that vet teams across the UK estimate around half of pets are overweight – equating to around 5 million dogs and 4.7 million cats.

How to help your dog lose weight

Starting a weight loss journey with your dog can be daunting but there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make which will make a huge difference in the long run.

Gemma’s top tips to stop your dog piling on the pounds

Have your pet weighed and body condition scored by your vet or vet nurse, to understand what weight your pet should be so you can feed accordingly. A lot of veterinary surgeries will run weight clinics, which are worth attending if you are concerned about your dog’s weight.

Once you know your dog’s weight and condition score, make sure you are feeding them an appropriate diet for the weight they should be. If they are neutered, they will need 30% less calories than if they are not neutered so bear that in mind, too.

Make sure young dogs have a healthy diet and keep an eye on portion control. They may be growing and active at this age, but it doesn’t mean that over feeding doesn’t matter.

How much should I feed my dog and how often? All your dog nutrition questions answered

Feed a diet suitable for your dog’s life stage. From growing, energetic youngsters through to older pet companions, dogs have differing dietary needs as they age. Dog treats should be healthy and can be used as a reward in training instead of shop-bought meat or cheese. Mix up their treats – try pet-safe fruit and vegetables.

Our 2023 PAW Report shows 36% of dog owners admit to regularly giving their pet leftovers. An occasional tasty treat won’t harm your pet, but regularly overfeeding them could lead to serious health problems.

Walking should be part of every dog’s daily routine to keep it physically and mentally healthy. Most dogs need at least 1-2 walks per day but this will depend on your dog’s breed, individual personality, age, health status and size.

Varying your dog’s exercise routine is an excellent way to keep them healthy.

Playtime should also be part of your dog’s daily routine to keep them happy and healthy.

How many calories are your ‘treats’ adding?

30% of dog owners regularly give their dogs cheese, but just one cube of cheese is the equivalent of 11 pancakes to a small dog, six to a medium dog, and 3.5 to a large-sized dog. So what originally may have seemed a harmless little treat actually equates to more than 110 extra calories, which is over 30% of a small dog’s daily calorific requirement.
A small dog eating a slice of toast with no butter is the same as a person eating one and a half portions of fries.
A medium dog eating a slice of toast with no butter is the same as a person eating nearly one portion of fries.
A large dog eating a slice of toast with no butter is the same as a person eating half a portion of fries.
A small dog having one roast dinner is the same as a person eating over six.
A medium dog having one roast dinner is the same as a person eating three and a half.
A large dog having one roast dinner is the same as a person eating over two.
A small-sized dog eating a quarter cup of gravy is the same as a person eating a bag of toffee popcorn.
A medium-sized dog eating a quarter cup of gravy is the same as a person eating a KitKat.
A large dog eating a quarter cup of gravy is the same as a person eating three Jelly Babies.
A small-sized dog eating a roast potato is the same as a person eating over three and a half portions of lasagna.
A medium-sized dog eating a roast potato is the same as a person eating over one and a half portions of lasagna.
A large dog eating a roast potato is the same as a person eating over one and a half blueberry muffins.

More dog advice

About the PDSA

The PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.