Weight Loss

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

Weight management dog foods with reduced calories and high protein. Feeding strategies, portion control, and exercise plans for overweight dogs.

Key Information

Practical Recommendations

Expert Tips

Understanding the Research

Budgeting for Pet Care

Related Guides

Explore more of our comprehensive pet care resources.

• All Pet Care Guides
• Dog Health Resources
• Cat Health Resources
• Pet Care Tools & Calculators
• Find Local Vets & Pet Services

Key Questions

Where can I learn more?

The cup printed on a weight-loss bag is a starting guess. WSAVA body-condition and muscle-condition scoring, and the AAHA weight-management resources, are how the portion is corrected from a real scale. Fast loss with extra thirst or a pot belly is a reason to read Merck on hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes mellitus instead of simply cutting the cup again.

How often should I take my pet to the vet?

A weight-loss plan is rechecked on a scale within weeks of the change, then at ongoing body-condition visits. Under that, puppies are still examined every 3 to 4 weeks until about 16 weeks, adults at least yearly, and many dogs from about 7 years, giant breeds earlier, about every six months. Fast weight loss plus extra thirst or a pot belly needs bloodwork, because Cushing's disease and diabetes are not fixed by a smaller cup. The cup is adjusted from the clinic scale.

How can I save money on pet care?

Food is the repeating cost, and overfeeding means you buy calories the dog stores and then buy a weight-loss plan to remove them. Measure the amount and recheck body condition. The full cup printed on the bag is often too much. A dog losing weight quickly, or drinking more while dieting, needs bloodwork before the portion is cut further. That test is the spending that finds Cushing's disease or diabetes.