Dog too fat: how to fat burn & losing weight

Posted by himooviral on

 Being too overweight in a dog is more than just a visual flaw. In the long term, it poses significant health risks if the dog is too fat. We explain how to recognize overweight in dogs and how the dog can lose weight - in a healthy way.

As we all know, the way to a dog's heart is through his stomach. So it's no wonder that many dog owners find it hard to resist their dog's dachshund look. And let's face it: a treat or two in between never hurt a dog, did it?

                 Excess weight can lead to health problems in dogs.© boryanam-stock.adobe.com


Snacks and treats should be deducted from the daily food ratio. Because if the dog takes up thereby too much energy, that leads to predominance with the dog, warn animal nourishing experts. And, in Germany, many dogs are too thick. The dog must lose weight, which is then the recommendation.

Overweight in dogs - a health risk

Probably never before has so much attention been paid to the nutrition of pets as today. Nevertheless, there are more and more cases of overweight in dogs, even to the point of obesity (adiposity). Diet is not always to blame. Obesity can also be an indication of a metabolic disease such as hypothyroidism.

Obesity poses significant health risks in dogs and can lead to diabetes or joint disease. Studies also show that the life expectancy of dogs with normal weight is on average one to two years higher than that of dogs with overweight. Reason enough, therefore, to pay attention to the dog's weight and let the pounds fall if the dog is too fat.

Is the dog too fat? This is how you can tell

To know if the dog is too fat, you first need to know what the ideal weight of the dog is. Ideal weight in a dog.

 This is what an ideal weight dog usually looks like:

  • Slight fat pads visible on the belly and buttocks.
  • Ribs not visible, but easily felt when light pressure is applied against the rib cage.
  • A waist is visible when viewed from above

BMI in dogs: Calculate ideal weight

Calculating a BMI (Body Mass Index) in a dog and deducing from it whether it is too fat or not isn't so easy. This is because the formulas do not take into account the differences between the individual breeds and the age of the dog. Likewise, the calculated values do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the fat and muscle content of the dog.

A formula that can provide a first indication of whether a dog is overweight or not is the so-called Weight to Height Ratio (WTH). This calculates the ratio of weight to height (shoulder height). The formula is:
(Body weight in kg / 0.45) / (Shoulder height in cm / 2.54) = WTH

A value above 3 may indicate that the dog is overweight. But please note: This value is only a guideline! If you suspect that your dog is too fat, then contact the vet!

When is the dog too fat?

If the dog exceeds the ideal weight by 10%, he is too fat. If it even exceeds 20%, it is already obese. In both cases, the dog must lose weight.


The dog must quick lose weight - but healthy!

If your dog is too fat and needs to lose weight, consult a veterinarian. He can rule out a metabolic disease and create a diet plan. For a healthy weight loss applies:

  • Do not put the dog on a zero diet under any circumstances.
  • Do not reduce the usual food from one day to the next (deficiency symptoms possible!).
  • Feed special food with low energy density (diet food!)
  • Strictly adhere to the feeding recommendation of the veterinarian.
  • Check the weight regularly.

Info: Special diet foods have a reduced fat content with increased protein and fiber. This is how the body breaks down fat and not muscle mass. Diet foods are available at specialty stores, from your veterinarian, or online.


Tip: Do not rush! Slow weight loss is healthier and more sustainable for the dog. An overweight dog should lose one to a maximum of two percent of its body weight per week. A diet can therefore be lengthy for dogs with severe obesity, lasting as long as 16 to 20 weeks.


Which dogs tend to be overweight?

There are dog breeds that have a predisposition to obesity. These dog breeds include:

  • Labrador
  • Golden Retriever
  • Cocker Spaniel
  • Beagle

Neutered dogs and senior dogs also tend to be overweight due to changes in metabolism after neutering and with age.

If your four-legged friend belongs to the vulnerable group, regular weight control is essential. For neutered dogs and seniors, it is also recommended to switch to a special food to counteract weight gain. It is best to seek advice on this from your veterinarian.