How much should an overweight dog eat? Essential Tips

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Try a slow feeder dog bowl

Does your dog inhale their food the minute you put it down? Consider buying a special dish designed to slow them down as they eat.

Slow feeder dog bowls force your dog to eat at a slower pace, which is great for their digestion and reduces the chances that they will get bloated, choke, or vomit after eating.

The slow feeder dog bowl will also force your dog to chew their food more, prompting some dogs to eat less because they’ll feel full before they finish their food. Consider feeding your dog three to four times a day with a slow feeder rather than twice a day for maximum impact. This can help your pup feel full throughout the day and have more time to digest and chew their food.

Feeding Chart for Sporting Breeds

As you’ll see from the charts, there’s a lot of variances. Dogs in the herding family, for example, range from short-legged Corgis to large Sheepdogs, so ideal weights will vary. Again, you should always consult with your veterinarian for accurate weight expectations, especially if you have a mixed breed.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight

So, how do you know if your dog is overweight and should lose a couple of pounds to improve their health?

The following tips by the American Kennel Club can help you check your dog’s weight visually by looking for common overweight dog symptoms:

  • Look at your dog’s body shape. Look at your dog from above and note if your dog has a defined waist near their rear and a straight build on the sides. If they do, this means they are likely at a healthy weight. If you notice your dog has an oval or round shape, they are likely overweight.
  • Can you feel your dog’s ribs? A healthy dog won’t have protruding ribs, but you should be able to feel their ribs without needing to press hard. If your dog is overweight, it will be hard to feel their ribs without a lot of pressure due to their excess body fat.
  • Look at your dog from their side. Does your dog have a swinging or sagging stomach? A dog at a healthy weight will have a slightly raised stomach, while an overweight dog may have a prominent belly.
  • Check for fat pads. Some overweight dogs will have sacks of fat located between their legs or on the top of their hips.
  • Assess your dog’s activity. Is your dog spending more and more time inactive, lounging on the couch? If your dog is lethargic, has trouble breathing, or struggles to walk comfortably, this could be a result of extra weight.

    • How much should I feed my dog? || Monkoodog

    Calories in dog food are expressed in “kilocalories per kilogram.” This is usually portioned by the cup (kcals/cup). Most dogs need about 25–30 calories per pound per day to maintain their weight. For example, a 30-pound dog needs around 800 calories a day. You can subtract from this figure to help your dog lose weight.

    It can often be difficult to determine how much you should feed your dog. Many dog owners worry whether they’re depriving or overindulging their pets at mealtime.

    Your dog’s age, weight, activity level and overall health play a significant role in the amount of food they need:

    You want to make sure you’re feeding your dog the right amount of food and also the right kind of food. With dozens of brands on the market, dog food quality varies widely. The best dog foods contain high-quality meats, vegetables and grain sourced in the USA.

    The dog feeding chart below will give you a good starting point, but we recommend checking it against the label on your dog’s food and verifying with your veterinarian if you have any concerns or if your dog has special weight loss needs.The chart outlines recommended daily serving for full-grown adult dogs. Puppies may require double or triple the recommended adult feeding amounts.