Dog weight loss: a vet’s guide to helping your pup get fit 🐾

Reviewed by Dr Nicole Olewinski – BVSc MRCVS

Giving and sharing food is a universal sign of affection across the animal kingdom. So it’s only natural to show your dog love with an extra biscuit here or a bit of your dinner there. Unfortunately, those little acts of kindness can add up fast. Before you know it, your pup looks a bit rounder than they used to, or your vet mentions the word ‘overweight’ at their next check-up.

A dog is classed as overweight once they’re 10-20% above their ideal weight, and obese beyond that. But even a small amount of extra weight can affect their health. We consulted some expert vets to talk us through canine obesity, and how to help your dog shed the extra pounds safely.

According to the PDSA’s 2023 Animal Wellbeing Report, UK vets estimate that nearly half of the nation’s dogs are overweight or obese – yet the vast majority of owners believe their own dog is a healthy weight. It’s an easy thing to overlook, which is exactly why it’s worth a regular check.

And for anything else that crops up during a routine check, it’s reassuring to have dog insurance.

Jump to

• What’s my dog’s ideal weight?
  > How can I tell my dog is overweight?
• Signs and causes of obesity in dogs
  > Why is it important to not let my dog become obese?
• Ways to help your dog lose weight
  > Our expert says: Can’t move or won’t move? Play to your dog’s strengths
  > What to feed your overweight dog
  > How much to feed your dog to lose weight
  > Good exercises for dogs to lose weight
  > Exercising overweight puppies
• How to help an arthritic or elderly dog lose weight
• How long does it take for dogs to lose weight?

What’s the ideal weight for my dog? ⚖️

Not as simple a question as you might think. Ideal weight varies hugely between breeds, and even a standardised weight chart won’t account for your individual dog’s build and frame.

That’s why vets rely on body condition scoring (BCS) instead – rather than just a number on the scales. It’s a quick, hands-on way to assess your dog’s body fat based on what you can see and feel.

The technique factors in both your dog’s body shape and how easy it is to feel certain bones. It takes seconds once you know what you’re looking for, and your vet can talk you through it if you’re unsure.

How can I tell if my dog is overweight? 🐕

Body condition scoring comes down to three quick checks:

• Waist: viewed from above, there should be a neat, visible tuck-in behind the ribs.
• Bones: their ribs, spine, pelvic bones and the base of their tail should all be easy to feel with a light touch, with no padding of fat over the top.
• Tummy: viewed side-on, their belly should slope upwards from chest to hips – not hang level or dip down.

Ideal weight is 4 or 5 on the 9-point body condition score scale; 6 or higher means your dog is overweight. To find out more, check out the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s tool.

Dogs’ weight can drift up and down just like ours, so it’s worth building this into your routine as a monthly habit – a quick once-over before a walk or mealtime is an easy way to remember.

Signs and causes of obesity in dogs 🐾

Using the checks above, your dog might be developing a weight problem if:

• Their waist looks flat or barely tucked in from above
• The base of their tail feels soft or padded with fat
• Their belly doesn’t slope upwards, or even sags a little
• You can’t easily feel their ribs with gentle fingertips
• They’re 10% or more above their ideal weight, which your vet can confirm

As for what causes it in the first place, the usual culprits include:

• Breed – some dogs are simply more prone to piling on weight, including Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Pugs
• Consistently being fed more than they burn off
• Regular high-fat food or table scraps
• Hormonal conditions such as Cushing’s disease or an underactive thyroid
• A slowing metabolism, whether from age or neutering
• Conditions like arthritis that make exercise more difficult

Why is it important to not let my dog become obese?

If your dog becomes obese, they could develop diseases such as pancreatitis, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Obesity worsens the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis, and may also cause their arthritis to progress faster. Your pup’s blood pressure could increase and their immune system weaken, as well as having a lower life expectancy.

Other risks include:

• Increased possibility of complications with anaesthesia
• Mothers having difficulty feeding their pups
• Struggles with hot weather and exercising
• Back problems
• Breathing problems
• Incontinence

Ways to help your dog lose weight

Start by speaking with your vet to see if you need an appointment. They will check if the weight gain is due to a medical condition and needs treatment.

If not, they can help advise you on creating a unique weight-loss plan for your pooch. It comes down to:

• Weighing out their daily food allowance. Use this to give treats and training aids. If you give additional treats, remember to take out the equivalent amount of food from their weighed daily allowance. Use the World Pet Obesity Association dog feeding calculator here (opens in a new window).
• Reducing the amount of calories you feed them.
• Feeding them an age-appropriate diet. For example, large-breed dogs grow more slowly and reach skeletal maturity later than small dogs.
• Swapping what you feed your dog to a lower calorie option, or life-stage-appropriate amount.
• Changing when you feed them. Bring the whole family in on the discussion so they know set meal times, and aren’t duplicating feeds by accident.
• Changing how you feed them. Try using a scatter feeder or KONG or play hide-and-seek games to slow them down and also give them some mental stimulation.

If safe to do so, give regular and consistent age-appropriate exercise.

If you have a Petgevity policy, you can video chat with a FirstVet vet for free to talk about individual recommendations for your pup.

Our expert says: “Can’t move or won’t move? Play to your dog’s strengths”

Expert vet Dr Nicole Olewinski says: “All dogs are unique. Try using the things they love to make weight loss more enjoyable. With my own small, geriatric sofa guardians – who are lazy but love being with me – I slowly lengthen walks a little at a time to find the sweet spot… Longer, but not so long it triggers stiffness.

“When reminded to move, they also happily follow me on every tiny errand, to the post box or out with the bins, making movement a bigger part of their day without pushing them too hard.

“For my inquisitive mid-size dog, I got rid of his feeding bowl. No temptation to casually add dog-safe leftovers, just a fun feeding ball which he loves. And when my ball crazy labs grew stiff in later life, I adapted games so they could still join in. Rolling a ball across the carpet (non-slip is important) for a laid-back mid-afternoon game of fetch, minus all the twisting.

“One word of warning: don’t skip weekly weigh-ins! They stop you from convincing yourself you’re making progress when you’re not, and help you gently confront family members who might be sabotaging your efforts.”

What to feed your overweight dog

Your vet may put your dog on special diet food for a set amount of time (such as a couple of months), then check to see how they’re getting along with reaching their ideal weight. They can also recommend brands and food types that will help with weight loss.

Be mindful of snacks. Choose low-calorie options like raw, dog-safe vegetables (such as carrot) where possible. Stay away from high-fat treats and foods. Your dog will always, unsurprisingly ask for more, but you’re the one who knows what’s best for them. Show them your love by taking them for a walk, playing games or having cuddles, rather than giving them more food.

How much to feed your dog to lose weight

If your pup is eating specific diet food, follow your vet’s guidance on how much to give them for each meal.

If not on a calorie-controlled diet, weigh out your dog’s food rather than eyeballing the quantities. Any treats should be taken out of their daily food allowance. Try swapping out treats for other forms of reward, such as playtime with their favourite toy.

Good exercises for dogs to lose weight

Increasing exercise is a good place to start. If your pup is a senior or has a health condition that limits their exercise, speak to your vet first to find a safe exercise option.

Begin with taking them out twice a day, slowly building up the length of each walk. After a while, you could try more adventurous exercises such as swimming, runs and agility courses. The aim is to make exercise fun and active, so see what your dog enjoys doing most, and don’t push them past their limits.

Exercising overweight puppies

Avoid over-exercising puppies. A good rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day, until your puppy is fully grown.

For example, a four-month old puppy should have a 20 minute walk, twice a day. We would also recommend trying to avoid stairs until your puppy is three months of age.

How to help an arthritic or elderly dog lose weight

Always speak to your vet first before trying to help your arthritic or elderly dog lose weight. Some of the recommendations they may make are:

• Reducing your dog’s food portions.
• Swapping out fats for ones that make your dog feel full, such as omega-3 fatty acids.
• Giving your pup more protein and less carbohydrates.
• Encouraging regular low impact exercise like swimming and walking.
• Being consistent with exercise to keep up fitness and range of motion in joints.
• Avoid going for a one-off very long walk followed by several days with short walks.

How long does it take for dogs to lose weight?

The time it takes for dogs to lose weight differs between each individual pooch. A safe weight loss is one percent per week.

It’s important not to rush weight loss, but rather stick to vet recommendations with food types and amounts, as well as keeping your pup active. Use the body conditioning guide to measure your dog’s shape, and you’ll hopefully soon start seeing a difference.

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