Could your dog stand to lose some weight? Going for extra walks, playing Frisbee or ball in the yard, or even swimming are all good options. Maintain a written log of everything your dog eats to track his caloric intake exactly.
We also strongly recommend a prescription pet food, formulated to help with weight loss. These foods are designed to provide dogs all of the nutritional support they need to keep them full and healthy while taking in fewer calories. Unfortunately, just cutting back on your dog’s regular food usually doesn’t work. All intake should be measured exactly, including the type and number of in-between-meal treats, because calories can be sneaky if they are not measured and tracked.
A healthy weight loss plan usually requires 8-12 months, plus a lifetime of sticking to the new lifestyle changes after that. Most owners opt to keep their pet on the prescription weight control food once their dog achieves her ideal weight (but at a slightly higher dose) so that the weight stays off.
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If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us at (703) 897-5665 for assistance!
Dr. Jim McDonald
Woodbridge Animal Hospital
2703 Caton Hill Rd.
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 897-5665