Tips for Successful Weight Loss in Dogs and Cats

My vet says my pet is overweight. How can I help my pet lose weight?

Begin by talking with your veterinary healthcare team so you understand how much weight your pet should lose, what foods to feed, how much to feed, what treats to limit, and other options that may help your pet reach a healthy weight.

Your veterinary team will want to learn about your pet’s current food, treats, feeding routine, and activity or exercise habits. This information can help them develop a weight loss plan that is appropriate for your pet and realistic for you and your family.

Many pet owners don’t know how many calories (kcal) their pet should eat each day to maintain a healthy body weight. Your veterinary team can calculate this amount. Once you know your pet’s daily calorie goal, you can plan how much food to offer at each meal and snack time. 

Some overweight pets remain active, while others do not. Talk with your veterinarian about the activities your pet can safely do. You can then help your pet move more in ways that suit their health and abilities. Most pets that can walk to their food bowl can also move around the home, so with a little encouragement and patience, you could position a meal or treat at the top or bottom of a staircase and your pet will burn a few calories to get to the food. This exercise can be done twice each day or several times throughout the week. As your pet loses weight, you may be able to increase activity gradually.

How long will it take for my pet to lose weight?

Overweight pets typically need many months to reach a healthy weight. Weight loss should be gradual, and your veterinarian will set a safe rate for your pet. A general guideline is between 0.5% and 2% of the pet’s body weight per week.

For example, if your dog weighs 88 pounds and your veterinarian recommends losing 10 pounds, a goal of about 1% per week would mean losing a little less than 1 pound in the first week. With this example, it could take 3 to 4months to reach the dog’s goal weight. The weekly amount may change as your dog becomes lighter, so your veterinary team will monitor progress and adjust the plan.

Does my overweight pet need a veterinary therapeutic weight-loss diet?

Some overweight dogs and cats can lose weight by switching from a high-calorie (energy dense) food to a lower-calorie food. However, simply feeding much less of a regular food may also reduce the essential nutrients your pet receives. 

Over-the-counter weight management products do not adjust nutrient concentrations for restricted calorie levels, so this can result in deficiencies of some nutrients like choline and arginine. Calorie-restricted veterinary therapeutic diets are fortified with nutrients to avoid potential deficiencies. For this reason, many veterinary teams recommend one for weight loss. Once your pet reaches a healthier weight, you may be able to change back to over-the-counter food.

Can I still offer treats while my pet is on a diet?

Yes. Low-calorie treats can be part of the weight-loss plan. 

• Cat treats are about the size of your smallest fingernail and are generally between 1 and 4 calories each. These are considered low-calorie pet treats.
• Dog treats vary widely in size and calorie content. Low-calorie commercial dog treats contain fewer than 15 calories per piece. There are plenty of low-calorie options to choose from.
• Most fruits and vegetables that are served fresh, frozen, or plainly cooked (no butter, no salt, no condiments, no cheese on top) can be lower-calorie treats when offered in moderation. Ask your veterinary team which choices and amounts are appropriate for your pet.

All treats, snacks, and people food should be carefully monitored. A general guideline is that no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories should come from these foods combined. And remember that “treating” your pet doesn’t always need to involve food. You can also offer attention through petting, grooming, training, playing, going for a walk, or even watching a TV show together.

Besides changing my pet’s diet, what will help my pet lose weight?

In addition to managing what and how much your pet eats, you can offer regular opportunities for movement to help your pet’s joints and muscles limber during weight loss. You don’t have to devote an hour to exercise, but you should increase your pet’s activity by a minute or two each day. Ask your veterinarian how to increase activity gradually in a way that is safe for your pet.

Make sure your pet has daily movement to stretch their back, flex their muscles, stretch their joints, and maybe even play. Just a few minutes of movement and stretching offered two or three times each day can improve your pet's attitude and overall health. Choose activities your pet enjoys and can do comfortably.

What if my pet can’t exercise every day?

Tell your veterinarian if pain, limited mobility, or another health condition makes activity difficult. Physical rehabilitation is shown to be helpful as part of a structured weight-loss program. Under the guidance of a licensed and trained veterinary technician or veterinarian, some pets can do controlled, gentle movements such as stretching, weightbearing, and even non-weight-bearing activities (e.g., swimming in a warm-water pool). Ask your veterinarian whether rehabilitation would help your pet.

You can also make mealtimes more engaging without adding food.

• You can help your pet burn calories around the house by placing food and water bowls at the top or bottom of a staircase, so the animal must walk upstairs to access food and downstairs to access water.
• A timed automatic feeder can dispense measured portions at set times. 
• Food puzzles allow a pet to work for part or all of a meal instead of eating from a bowl. There are commercial food puzzles available online, as well as many ideas for making your own.

My pet is too heavy to lift on our scale. How can I tell if they are losing weight?

You can monitor your pet’s progress through regular weigh-ins and body condition scoring. Your veterinary healthcare team can show you how to assess your pet’s body condition. 

Another option is to take your pet to your veterinary clinic once every two weeks to use the digital scale. Using the same scale at the same time each day is important to minimize variability in your measurements. Talk with your veterinary team about how regular check-ins can be arranged, especially if you need evening or weekend appointments.

Document where your pet starts and how they progress by taking photos from the side and above. Track your pet’s progress with a food and activity diary.

What if my pet hasn’t lost any weight?

First, make sure everyone who feeds your pet is following the plan you established with your veterinarian. When there is no progress, check whether neighbors, friends, or pet sitters are offering treats or people food. If so, tell them about the weight-loss plan and enlist their help.

Setbacks can happen. If your pet’s weight has not changed, talk with your veterinary team. It may help to review your original goals and talk about all the ways you are trying to help your pet lose weight.

When a pet’s weight loss has slowed or stopped, the feeding plan may need to change. Your veterinarian can help determine whether to adjust the amount of food or consider a different veterinary therapeutic weight-loss food.

How do I manage friends and family who won’t help with my pet’s weight-loss program?

This can be frustrating. Explain why the weight loss program is so important for your pet’s health and quality of life. Clearly share the weight-loss goals and what each person needs to do. If possible, involve your family in the process. Tell them when and where and how much your pet needs to be fed. If treats are allowed, measure out the day’s treat allowance and place it in a container. When the container is empty, everyone knows there are no more treats for that day.

In addition to pre-measuring the pet’s treats, you can also measure each meal in advance to keep portions consistent. This helps to keep food portions consistent from day to day. A kitchen scale may help you measure dry food more accurately than a cup or scoop. This reduces the chance of accidentally feeding too much or too little.