All of us as dog owners want our dogs to be at a healthy weight; not too skinny or not too fat. It’s hard to tell what a healthy weight for your dog is, so how should you maintain this?
Ask your vet
You can ask your vet for some advice on how to maintain a healthy weight, based on your dog’s size and gender. If your dog is already overweight or underweight, your vet will give you suggestions on how to return to a healthy weight.
Amount of food
Make sure you’re giving your dog the right amount of food per day that their bag of food recommends. You shouldn’t give them any less or more than what’s recommended, since it will have an affect on their weight.
If your dog is having trouble finishing their day’s worth of food, you may want to find ways to coax them into finishing. You can try food toppers or ask your vet for suggestions.
Treats
You also want to make sure you’re not overfeeding them on treats, as well as table scraps. If you’re training your dog, giving them lots of those small training treats is fine. But if you’re giving them lots of greenies or milk bones daily, it will have an affect on their weight.
Are you the type of person to share your breakfast or dinner with your dog? Make sure you only give them a tiny piece and not multiple pieces of pancakes or pasta. It’s supposed to be a nice treat, not a meal.
Regular exercise
Going on daily walks, at least twice a day, is great exercise for your dog. It’s not only great for your dog’s health, but it will make them happy to smell the fresh air and be by your side. If you have a very active dog, such as a Border Collie or Husky, then try doing something more challenging than a walk. You can go for a long hike, a short run, or play fetch.
