If your dog is overweight, it can be hard work getting them back down to a healthy weight, however it is worth doing. Here are the steps you need to follow to help your dog to lose weight.

1. Look closely at what they are eating. Are you filling their bowl too much? Keep in mind that most brands of kibble have very generous feeding recommendations on the bag. Is there a weight loss brand of kibble you could feed your dog instead of their regular food? These often have a lower fat content.

2. Are you giving your dog any between-meal snacks? For example, do you share a biscuit with them when you have a cup of tea or coffee? They may be small, but they all add more calories to your dog’s daily energy intake.

3. Do you buy doggy snacks for your dog, such as pigs ears or liver treats? Some commercial dog snacks are very high in calories, and your dog can do without them.

4. Does your dog get plenty of exercise to burn up those calories? If not, then you may need to make this a priority until they have trimmed down. You’ll find that the exercise will make you feel good too! If your dog is very overweight, you may need to look at a low-impact form of exercise such as swimming until they are lighter. This will be easier on their legs.

One of the biggest things you will have to contend with as you put your dog on a weight loss program is those big soft eyes gazing longingly at you as you eat. They are very hard to resist, but you must be strong!

In Summary – Keep in mind that by helping your dog to lose those extra pounds you are in fact improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of preventable obesity related diseases. They will also be around to share your life for longer. This should be enough for you to harden your heart, and keep them on their diet.