Dog Weight Loss Guide:

Healthy Body Condition & Weight Management for Dogs

Help Your Dog Reach a Healthy Body Condition


Extra weight isn’t just a number on the scale—it’s about your pet’s body condition.

Dogs and cats with excess body fat face higher risks for arthritis, diabetes, kidney, liver, and heart disease, hypertension, many forms of cancer, and even a shorter lifespan. Even small amounts of extra fat can affect their comfort and quality of life.

Because weight gain often happens gradually, many pet owners don’t realize when their dog is overweight. The first step is to examine and assess your dog’s body condition, as well as monitor their weight. A healthy dog has a visible waistline and ribs that are easy to feel under a thin layer of fat. If your dog looks like a “blimp” from above or the ribs are difficult to see or feel, it may need a weight-loss plan.

On this page, you’ll learn how to:

  • Recognize the signs of an unhealthy body condition

  • Understand how calories and activity affect body fat

  • Work with your veterinarian to create a safe, effective weight-loss plan

  • Track progress and maintain a healthy body condition for life

With the right plan and support, most pets can safely lose fat, regain energy, and enjoy more active, healthy years by your side.

Check Your Dog's Body Condition

Check these three key areas to quickly spot signs of extra weight.

1

Rib Check

Ribs should be easy to feel under a thin layer of fat, but not visible.

2

Waist Check

From above, a healthy dog has a clear waist behind the ribs.

3

Tummy Check

From the side, you should see a slight upward tuck in the belly area.

See Full BCS Guide for Dogs

Work With Your Veterinarian to Create a Safe, Step-by-Step Weight Loss Plan

What works for one dog may not be safe for another. Before starting any weight-loss program, ask your veterinarian to assess your dog’s body condition, overall health, and potential risk factors. Together, you can set a realistic target weight and create a safe daily calorie plan, taking into account any underlying issues—like arthritis or thyroid disease—that could affect your dog’s progress.

Treat any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to weight gain and an unhealthy body condition. Once your dog is cleared for a weight-loss plan, focus on a gradual, step-by-step approach to ensure safe and lasting results.

Why Slow, Steady Weight Loss Matters

Cutting calories too severely can backfire. A gradual reduction is especially important—and safest—for dogs with a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 7–9, where obesity is present. This careful approach:

  • Helps prevent and reduce metabolic adaptation, which can slow weight loss or lead to frustrating plateaus.
  • Minimizes hunger and begging, avoiding sudden, dramatic calorie cuts that cause discomfort for dogs and frustration for families.
  • Supports steady fat loss while preserving muscle mass and energy levels.

Steps for Safe Dog Weight Loss

  • Vet Exam: Have your dog examined and determine their current Body Condition Score (BCS) and target or ideal weight.
  • Set Goals: Work with your vet to calculate Daily Energy Requirements (DER) and choose a therapeutic weight-loss diet instead of just feeding less of a maintenance food. Simply "feeding less" of a regualr maintenance diet could result in nutritional deficiencies.
  • Measure Precisely: Weigh and precisely measure all food and treats, and limit snacks to low-calorie options like baby carrots or green beans.
  • Smaller Meals: Feed smaller, more frequent meals to increase satiety and reduce begging.
  • Daily Activity: Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic or low intensity activity daily, adjusted to your dog’s fitness level and health.
  • Track Progress: Weigh your dog every one to three months and adjust feeding and activity as directed by your veterinarian.
  • Family Consistency: Make sure everyone in the household feeds consistently and follows the plan.
For dogs, safe weight loss is typically 1–5% of body weight per month, with 3–5% being ideal for many dogs.

Find Your Pet’s Daily Calorie Needs

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Dog Weight Loss FAQs

  • Losing weight can be challenging, whether for pets or people. The great news is that shedding excess pounds and improving body condition can improve your pet’s life expectancy and overall quality of life, making those additional years even more enjoyable.

    An unhealthy body condition and excess weight in dogs can lead to debilitating health issues, making weight management essential for a pet’s well-being. By working with your veterinary healthcare team and maintaining a healthy weight for your pets, you can help ensure a longer, happier life together.

    See more: A Simple Strategy for Healthy Dog Weight Loss

  • Research indicates that dogs with obesity live shorter lives than their normal-weight counterparts, with two lifetime studies demonstrating that dogs with obesity lived approximately two years less.

    Common weight-related disorders in dogs include:

    • Osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament injuries (knees), spinal injuries, strains, sprains, and overall decreased mobility.

    • Luxating patella (knee dislocation) due to excessive loading forces and cartilage damage

    • Insulin resistance, diabetes, and other metabolic & endocrine disorders

    • Skin disease

    • Respiratory disease

    • High blood pressure

    • Kidney disease

    • Chronic inflammation

    • Certain cancers

    • Ongoing research continues to uncover the potential severity of extra adipose tissue in dogs.

    Dogs with obesity typically tend to interact less with their families and may exhibit reduced energy and playfulness.

    See more: Health Risks of Excessive Weight.

Understanding Weight Loss

Creating a Safe Weight Loss Plan

  • Helping your dog achieve a healthy body condition will contribute to their quality of life, longevity, and add joy to your family.

    While weight loss may appear straightforward — “Feed less; exercise more” — it’s not always that simple.

    First, rule out and treat underlying medical conditions or diseases. A medical condition or underlying disease could be a possible cause or contributor to your dog’s weight issues.

    Steps to safe weight reduction in dogs:

    • Have your dog examined by a veterinarian before beginning any weight loss or diet program.

    • Rule out any underlying medical diseases.

    • Determine your pet’s current Body Condition Score (BCS) and ideal or target weight.

    • Choose the right body condition and target weight for your dog’s Step Weight Loss Plan (a gradual, safe reduction in calories over time).

    • Consult your veterinary healthcare team for guidance. They will calculate your pet’s Resting Energy Requirements (RER) and Daily Energy Requirements (DER) to determine how much you should feed your dog each day. Feeding too much will result in no weight loss, and feeding too little can be harmful.

    • Determine how many calories are in your pet’s food and treats. Don’t forget to include any pill pockets or table foods.

    • Feed a therapeutic weight-loss diet. It’s essential not to just “feed less” of a maintenance diet. By reducing the amount of maintenance food, you may also reduce the essential nutrients your dog needs to remain healthy and preserve lean muscle for strength and mobility. Therapeutic weight-loss diets are formulated to provide adequate nutrition while safely reducing total calories.

    • Measure or weigh your dog’s food and treats to provide precise feeding portions.

    • Opt for low-calorie, healthy treats. For dogs, baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, and green beans make good snacks.

    • Feed frequent, smaller meals to help increase satiety and reduce begging behaviors.

    • Engage your dog in 30 minutes of exercise daily. These periods can be divided as your schedule allows.

    • Weigh your pet every one to three months, have your dog’s BCS checked at least every three months by your vet, and make changes and adjustments as directed by the veterinary team.

    • Involve your family. Everyone needs to be aware of how much and how often they are feeding the pet during the weight-loss period.

    • Be patient. Safe weight loss is typically 1-5% of a dog’s current body weight per month, with 3-5% per month achieved by many dogs.

    See more: Being Active With Your Dog

  • Providing your dog with a balanced, complete diet that meets their nutritional needs is essential for overall health. It’s best to consult with your veterinarian to determine your dog’s daily caloric needs and energy requirements.

    Healthy weight loss for dogs typically ranges from 3% to 5% of their current body weight per month, depending on the dog’s age, size, and overall condition.

    Most dogs will reach their ideal weight within six to eight months. Some dogs may need to lose weight more slowly, while others may progress more quickly.

    Monitor Progress

    Weigh your dog every 1-3 months to track progress.
    If you don’t see expected weight loss within 90 days, it may be time to adjust one or more parts of the program, such as:

    • Daily calorie intake

    • Pet food formulation

    • Protein or fiber levels

    • Activity or exercise routine

    • Brand

    Commitment Matters

    For most pets, the key to weight loss is the dedication, consistency, and care of their family.


    It’s our responsibility to protect our pets from premature death, diminished quality of life, and the debilitating diseases that can result from obesity.

    With the guidance of your veterinary healthcare team, you can help your dog safely achieve weight reduction and significantly improve their quality of life.

  • Many pet owners don’t realize how much even a small overpour of food can add up over time. Pet food labels often provide broad feeding ranges, and measuring by eye with a scoop or cup can easily lead to overfeeding—sometimes by 20% or more. Gradually, those extra calories can result in steady weight gain, especially in smaller dogs and cats.

    The most accurate way to measure your pet’s food is by using a digital kitchen scale, set to grams. This ensures each meal is consistent and matches the calorie goal established by you and your veterinarian.

    Even a few extra kibbles can make a difference, particularly for cats and small dogs under 22 lbs (10 kg).

  • If you’re planning to change your pet’s food, it’s important to make the switch gradually to prevent digestive upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.

    If you notice any signs of stomach trouble — like vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite — slow down the transition and contact your veterinarian for guidance.

    The ideal diet transition for dogs typically takes about one week:

    • Start by mixing 25% new food with 75% old food for the first 1–2 days.

    • Then feed 50% new food and 50% old food for the next 2 days.

    • Increase to 75% new food and 25% old food for the following 2–3 days.

    • Finally, switch to 100% new food.

    For pets with sensitive stomachs, or those switching to a specialty or prescription diet, extend the process to 10–14 days for a smoother transition.

  • Does your dog wake you up at four in the morning to be fed, or stare at you during dinner or TV time until you finally give in? If so, you’re not alone.

    Our dogs are excellent trainers — of us. They quickly learn which behaviors get our attention and which buttons to push to get extra food or treats.

    Here are some effective strategies to manage food begging and keep your dog healthy:

    1. Avoid Self-Feeders

    While it might seem convenient, manual gravity-style feeders act like an all-you-can-eat buffet for dogs. This often leads to overeating and weight gain.

    If you prefer an automated system, choose a programmable feeder that dispenses measured portions by weight, ideally several times a day. This keeps feeding controlled and predictable.

    2. Replace Food With Attention

    Many dogs beg not because they’re hungry, but because they want interaction and affection.

    Instead of giving food, pet your dog or play a quick game. This helps break the association between begging and being fed, while giving your dog the attention it craves.

    3. Distract With Walks or Outdoor Time

    When your dog begs for food or treats, take them for a short walk or outside to play. The activity serves as both a distraction and a healthy outlet for energy, often making your dog forget about food altogether.

    4. Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals

    Divide your dog’s daily calories into three to six smaller meals.

    For dogs that wake you early in the morning, consider giving a small, last evening meal to help them stay satisfied through the night. APOP Founder Dr. Ernie Ward calls this a “Midnight Snack” and recommends a high-protein snack or meal portion just before bedtime. Protein provides a satiety effect for pets and may allow an extra hour or two of sleep!

    5. Use the “Few Kibbles” Trick

    If your dog is pleading after finishing its meal, add just a few kibbles (no more than 5–10) to the bowl.

    Dr. Ward calls these “extra dinners” his “Treat Meals” (instead of “Cheat Meals”), and suggests reserving half of the “normal” feeding for a little later for dogs that are particularly “vocal.”

    Be sure to include these in the total daily calorie count, so you’re not unintentionally overfeeding.

    6. Offer Healthy, Low-Calorie Treats

    Swap high-calorie treats for dog-safe vegetables such as:

    • Baby carrots

    • Green beans

    • Cucumber slices

    • Zucchini

    • Broccoli

    • Celery

    • Asparagus

    Most dogs love the crunch of these veggie treats, and these options are much lower in calories than most commercial treats while being nutritious and satisfying.

    7. Offer Fresh Water Instead

    Sometimes, dogs hover around an empty bowl out of habit rather than true hunger. Try refilling their water bowl with fresh, cool water instead of food. Many dogs will happily drink, satisfying their urge to interact with the bowl.

    Managing food begging takes consistency and patience. By replacing food rewards with affection, controlling portions, and offering healthy alternatives, you can reduce begging while keeping your dog at a healthy body condition.

    If your dog’s begging worsens or they seem constantly hungry despite proper feeding, consult your veterinarian — there may be an underlying medical issue such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or digestive problems.

  • What should I do if one of my dogs is at a healthy weight and the other has obesity?

    Managing mealtimes can be challenging when one dog needs to lose weight while another maintains a normal weight. Here are a few strategies that work well in multi-dog or multi-pet households:

    1. Feed pets separately

    The most effective solution is to feed your dogs in separate areas, ideally in different rooms.

    • Place the overweight dog out of view of the other pet while feeding to reduce begging or food guarding.

    • Allow about 15–30 minutes for mealtime, then pick up any uneaten food until the next scheduled feeding.

    • This method works equally well for multi-cat households.

    2. Avoid leaving food out (no free-feeding)

    Leaving food down all day makes it impossible to know which pet ate what (and how much) and often leads to overeating, especially for pets prone to obesity.

    Stick to measured, timed meals to maintain control over calorie intake.

    By consistently separating feeding times and limiting access to food, you can monitor portions, track progress, and help your overweight pet achieve a healthier weight.

    3. Treats

    When giving treats, Dr. Ernie Ward reminds dog owners that “Dogs don’t do division.”

    You may find that giving the overweight dog half of a treat while giving the healthy body condition dog a whole treat satisfies each equally.

    Using strategies such as treat-splitting, you make sure one dog isn’t “left out” or feels punished for needing to eat less. It also helps assuage guilt from pet parents concerned about treating each pet “fairly.”

Common challenges

Exercise & play

  • Dogs need a minimum of 20-30 minutes of daily aerobic activity or exercise.

    Engage your dog in structured aerobic activity for at least ten to fifteen minutes twice a day.

    Based on APOP’s observations of people walking their dogs, the average pace is approximately 20 to 25 minutes per mile. This pace is a leisurely stroll with frequent pauses (on average every 1 to 2 minutes) to allow their dog to explore interesting objects or mark territory. Walking for weight loss is different than walking for pleasure.

    Walking, playing, and exercising with your dog is a great way to bond.

    Whether or not jogging or running is good for your dog depends on their age, breed, health status, and individual temperament, as well as yours.

    Be mindful of your pet’s age, individual needs, level of fitness, and existing physical conditions or limitations.

    Small dogs, growing puppies, and brachycephalic dogs such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekingese, and Boston terriers can be prone to overheating and exhaustion. Avoid over-stressing your pet with overly strenuous activity.

    Prevent injuries. Dogs that are overweight or have obesity are at greater risk for injury.

    Keep your pet hydrated during activities.

    If your pet isn’t accustomed to routine fetch or running activities, start slowly to prevent an injury.

    Varying your activities. Keep activities fresh and new and vary them as much as possible. This strategy can not only keep your dog mentally stimulated but also prevent injury from repetitive or overly strenuous activities.

    Engage with safe toys, balls, soft throw disks, and games.

    Go on an “approved” playdate or to doggie daycare.

    Try swimming or hydrotherapy. If you have a dog that loves the water, swimming is a great, low-impact exercise that can reduce stress and inflammation in the joints. Swimming is a great exercise for dogs that are prone to overheating, have a history of injuries, are overweight, or have obesity.

    Many rehabilitation and pet fitness centers offer hydrotherapy or aquatherapy for pets by trained personnel. A controlled environment by a trained professional is ideal for dogs with weight issues, who are at-risk or recovering from orthopedic conditions, have pain related to osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, or have metabolic conditions causing muscle atrophy.

    A trip to the store or a stroll about town can be rewarding…. but bring your own treats! If your dog is on a weight-loss plan, consider carrying your own low-calorie treats to share with others, allowing you to keep your outings healthy, social, and fun.

    As your dog’s fitness level improves, consider going on a hike. Outdoor hikes are another activity that offers both emotional and physical benefits for you and your dog, provided you take the necessary precautions and prepare properly.

    Do your homework and ensure the trails and area are dog-friendly and safe. Use a non-retractable leash, carry waste collection bags, and work with your dog to make sure it is up for the challenge.

  • If your dog isn’t used to a faster pace, is overweight, or has any risk factors for injury, start slow and consult your veterinarian before beginning a new exercise routine.

    To get the most benefit, aim for a brisk, purposeful walk rather than a casual stroll. A good target pace for most dogs is 12–17 minutes per mile, which should feel fast enough that you break a light sweat while your dog stays alert but not exhausted.

    Tips for a successful exercise walk:

    • Start strong: Begin the walk at a brisk pace before your dog gets distracted by smells.

    • “Out” leg fast, “back” leg slower: Focus on moving briskly on the way out, then allow sniffing and exploring on the return.

    • Leash control: Keep the leash short, about 3–4 feet, and walk with your dog on your left side or away from traffic.

    • No retractable leashes: Use a standard leash for better safety and control.

    • Stay consistent: Don’t stop when your dog tries to pause or mark. Keep walking, tighten the leash slightly (no jerking), and use a simple command such as “Come” or “Here.”

    Teaching your dog that this walk is for exercise, not just sightseeing, builds stamina, burns calories, and supports weight loss and overall health. Save casual sniffing for a separate walk or the return trip home.

Help Your Dog Lose Weight Safely with Walking

Walking is one of the safest and most effective ways to help your dog shed extra pounds while improving their overall health and well-being. Check out our step-by-step walking guide to keep your dog active, comfortable, and on track for success.

View Walking Guide