How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

A healthy weight for your dog helps decrease the risk for arthritis, heart diseases, and diabetes. Visit your veterinarian first to rule out any possibility of a disease, such as hypothyroidism. If your dog does not have a medical condition related to its extra weight, follow these simple steps to help your pet shed the extra pounds:

Exercise your dog regularly
Maintain a regular exercise schedule. The more active your dog is, the higher his or her metabolism will be even when resting.

Avoid overfeeding
Give your dog the recommended amount of dog food daily. Overfeeding is one of the main causes of overweight dogs. Consider feeding a brand of dog food that contains natural ingredients.

Reduce the amount of treats
Reduce the amount of snacks and treats you feed your dog. When feeding a treat, give one that is healthy instead of fatty cheeses or processed meats.