Obesity prevention for dogs: simple steps to keep your dog fit

Did you know up to half of pet dogs are overweight? Extra pounds shorten lives and make joint, heart, and diabetes problems more likely. The good news: small daily changes usually work better than dramatic diets. Here’s a clear, practical plan you can start today.

Daily feeding and treat rules

Measure food every time. Use a dry-food measuring cup, not eyeballing. Follow your food’s calorie guide as a starting point, then adjust by watching the scale and body condition. A quick check: you should see a waist from above and feel ribs with light pressure. If you can’t, your dog is likely carrying excess weight.

Cut treats to 10% or less of daily calories. Swap high-calorie treats for carrot sticks, green beans, or small bits of cooked lean chicken. Try puzzle feeders or scatter feeding to stretch eating time so food feels more satisfying without adding calories.

Avoid table scraps. Human food is calorie-dense and often salty or fatty. If you want to reward good behavior, use training-sized tiny treats or break a regular treat into multiple pieces.

Exercise and monitoring plan

Start with short, consistent activity—two 10–20 minute walks a day is better than one long session. Add play sessions (fetch, tug, hide-and-seek) and safe off-leash time if possible. For older or joint-sensitive dogs, replace intense runs with steady walks or swimming, which is gentle and burns calories fast.

Weigh your dog every 1–2 weeks. Keep a simple chart: date, weight, and any food or exercise changes. Aim for slow progress; losing roughly 1–2% of body weight per week is a safe target for most dogs, but check this with your vet first. Fast weight loss can be dangerous.

Switch food only after checking labels and talking to your vet. Some weight-management diets lower calories while keeping protein high so your dog won’t lose muscle. If you change kibble, transition over 7–10 days to avoid tummy upset.

Keep an eye on neutering and age. Spayed/neutered dogs and senior pets often need fewer calories. A small reduction after surgery or as your dog slows down can prevent gradual weight gain.

Use tools that help: measuring cups, a scale at home, treat pouches, and food puzzles. Enlist family members and visitors to follow the same treat rules so your dog isn’t secretly fed extra calories. Consistency wins.

If weight won’t budge, see your vet. Medical issues like hypothyroidism or certain medications can cause weight gain. Your vet can run tests, set a target weight, and recommend a diet or plan tailored to your dog.

Preventing obesity is a daily habit, not a one-time fix. Measure food, choose low-calorie rewards, keep activity regular, and weigh often. Those small choices add up to more energy, fewer vet visits, and a happier dog who moves and plays longer.