Last Updated: 23/07/2025
Is your dog carrying a little extra weight? This can affect their overall health and quality of life. Get our practical, vet-approved diet and exercise tips to guide your furry friend on a safe weight loss journey. Learn about portion control, healthy swaps, and fun ways to get them moving.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Being overweight or obese can have serious health consequences for your dog including increased risk of osteoarthritis, diabetes, respiratory problems and heart failure. In addition, obese and overweight dogs are also likely to have a reduced lifespan compared with their lean counterparts. If you suspect that your dog may be overweight, it is best to consult your veterinarian for further advice. Your vet will be able to help you to determine your dog's ideal weight and discuss a suitable plan of action.
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do at home to help get your dog into shape. And it's not just about dieting and exercise! We've put together some handy tips to help make pet weight loss easier and more fun for both your dog and you.
Feeding your dog an appropriate weight loss diet is one of the most crucial components of their weight loss program. There are a huge range of high quality weight management diets now available for dogs, your veterinarian will be able to help you choose the right one to suit your dog's needs. Weight loss diets are generally lower in calories to promote fat loss, with higher levels of protein, fibre and other ingredients to help prevent your dog from feeling hungry between meals. In some cases, your veterinarian may also recommend a prescription veterinary diet to help fast track your pooch's weight loss program. These diets are scientifically proven to support weight loss and contain unique extra ingredients to deliver timely and reliable results.
Whatever diet you settle on for your dog, it's important to remember that it won't work unless you feed the right amount. Be sure to follow the feeding guidelines provided by your vet to ensure that you are not overfeeding your dog. You may find it helpful to mark the cup or scoop at the appropriate level so that it is easy to measure out the right amount every time. If you are noticing that your dog is hungry or begging for food between meals, it can help to split his daily feeding amount into two or three smaller meals.
You can also trick their tummy into feeling 'full' by adding a little extra fibre to their food. This helps 'plump' up the meal and leaves them feeling fuller and more satisfied.
If your dog is constantly begging for food and gobbles up their meal quickly, you may want to reconsider your feeding method. Rather than feeding their meal all at once in their bowl, try slowing down their eating with a puzzle toy or slow feeder bowl. As well as slowing down their eating, these toys help to keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically active.
Although it can be tempting to give into those pleading puppy dog eyes, giving your dog treats in addition to his daily meals can undo all of your hard work. As an alternative to standard treats or human food which can be high in calories, try keeping aside a little of his kibble each day to use as a treat allowance, or talk to your vet about including a small amount of 'light' treats in your dog's weight loss program. Some excellent low-calorie treats that most dogs love to munch on include carrot, apple, pear, blueberries, and strawberries. If your dog is exceptionally food motivated, try them with raw zucchini, cauliflower, or cucumber for some ultra-low calorie treats.
Remember that you will need to decrease the amount of wet or dry food you are feeding to compensate for any treats that you give, which could leave your pooch feeling hungry!
Getting active with your dog won't just benefit his waistline, it can be good for you too! Try to incorporate daily exercise into your dog's routine. Walking and swimming are great options for older dogs and those with sensitive joints, while more vigorous activity like running and playing fetch are good options for more active, fitter dogs. Remember to build your dog up to any new exercise slowly to prevent potential injuries.
It's important to realise that like all good things, weight loss takes time. For your dog's weight loss program to be a success it's important to have regular weigh-ins every 2 to 4 weeks with your vet to check his progress. Try and get everyone in the household on board - a weight loss chart displayed in a prominent location like the fridge can help to remind the whole family to stay committed and think twice about sneaking your pooch an extra treat.
Remember, a healthier weight for your dog means more years of joyful companionship. Small, consistent changes to their diet and exercise routine can lead to big results. Partner with your vet, stay patient, and celebrate every step of the journey towards a happier, healthier pup.
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
