Diet Tips to Help Dogs Lose Weight

Diet Tips to Help Dogs Lose Weight

No matter how much you like to pamper your dog, you should always ensure that your furry friend is not gaining too much weight. Some breeds tend to gain weight, and they experience certain problems as they become older, like a lack of flexibility to move. If your dog is gaining a lot of weight, you can follow some healthy dog food tips to ensure that they also lose the extra pounds:

  • Feed them more protein and fewer carbohydrates
    A common healthy dog food tip is to feed your overweight dog more protein and fewer carbohydrates as this ratio matters a lot. Dogs thrive on a high-protein diet, which helps them build lean muscles, so a weight loss diet for your dog should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and it should have moderate fat content. This combination satisfies their appetite, while also keeping their weight in check.
  • Avoid foods rich in fiber
    This is one of the most important healthy dog food tips to consider for overweight dogs. Fiber is the indigestible part of carbohydrates and adds to your dog’s weight. Additionally, it does not let your dog feel full or satisfied, and too much fiber can interfere with the process of nutrient absorption. You can choose grain-free foods to let your dog get the proteins they need without any fiber.
  • Prepare your dog’s food at home
    If your dog is facing severe health issues because of its weight and you want them to lose the extra weight quickly, resort to homemade food instead of store-bought and packaged meal options. When making food for your dog at home, use lean meat, low-fat dairy, and green vegetables instead of grains and starchy vegetables.
    Another healthy dog food tip is to avoid fatty meats like pork, lamb, and beef. Alternatively, they can be properly trimmed to remove the fat. You can also include eggs, but only in moderate amounts. The food that you prepare at home for your pet following these guidelines will be much more nutritious than any commercial dog food.
  • Choose healthy fats
    Fat is an important component, and you cannot eliminate it from your dog’s diet. Instead, you need to choose healthy fats, like omega-3 fatty acids that promote weight loss and also satiate your dog’s hunger. These are good for the heart and kidneys and also promote the overall health of your dog. At the same time, your dog’s intake of oils should be restricted as they are pure fat.
  • Reduce the portion size
    Weight loss cannot happen overnight, so instead of making drastic changes in your dog’s diet, reduce the portion size of their meals gradually. Start with a 5% reduction in the first 2 weeks, and then increase the percentage. Ensure that you weigh your dog at regular intervals to check the results.