Weight Control Dog Diet & Food

One way to reduce your dog's weight is to watch what he eats: feed him less and avoid between meal snacks. That platitude is easy enough to say, but the effort is much harder to make. After all, we human beings have a difficult time accomplishing the same for ourselves.

Unlike wild animals, your dog has little control over his diet. Instead, your dog will eat anything you put in front of him. As his pack leader, he trusts you to make the right decision for him. Therefore, the one that needs to have behavior modified is not your dog--it is you! Here are some things that can help you help your pet lose weight.

Behavior Modification
Behavior modification is a large part in anyone's diet, and that is true even your dog. Both of you need to get out of some bad habits. In addition, there are some habits that you both should get into.

Measure your dog's food. Pouring food directly from the bag into the bowl is a good way to underestimate what you are feeding your dog.

Add healthy "filler" to your dog's food: Add a handful of fresh or frozen green beans or a few tablespoons of canned pumpkin (plain) to his food. If you feed your dog one large meal a day, then divide it into two or three portions, all extended with these foods. Fiber will help him feel full because of its bulk. It will also move more slowly through his system to feel full longer.

Feed him using an interactive toy: Fill such a toy with his regular meal or with low calorie food or treats and freeze it. Feeding your dog this way will slow him down, which will encourage him to feel full longer.

Prevent begging. Put your dog in a separate room when you eat or put him in his crate. If you absolutely can not resist his begging, then keep some fresh vegetables on hand for him to snack on. Most dogs enjoy the crunch that they provide; some even enjoy the taste.

At his ideal weight your dog should have no more than 15-20% of his body weight in fat. If your dog is obese, help him feel better by helping him lose weight. Both of you will ultimately feel better.

Commercial Diets
For some dogs--and some owners--behavior modification is not enough. In these cases, a veterinarian may be able to prescribe a diet food for him. One such prescription dog food is Hill's Prescription Diet Canine R/D, which is available at many veterinary clinics. If your dog is overweight and is not losing weight despite your best efforts, ask your vet what diet might be the greatest help to your dog.

Next article: Reasons Why Dog Diet Program Fail

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