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Tips To Achieve Ideal Weight For Dog - IAMS™ Singapore
Tips To Achieve Ideal Weight For Dog - IAMS™ Singapore

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Dog Weight Management: Tips to Achieve an Ideal Weight for Dogs

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Just like in humans, obesity can lead to serious health issues in dogs as well. The primary causes of obesity in dogs are lack of physical activities, imbalanced diet, and overfeeding. If you notice a sudden increase in your dog’s weight despite having a normal diet and sufficient exercise, it could also be a sign of some hormonal disorder. Obese dogs are at risk of developing diabetes, heart diseases, bone deterioration, arthritis, and other severe disorders. Thus, it is crucial to monitor your dog’s weight.

 

Understanding your dog’s weight category

Wondering what is the ideal weight for dogs? A dog’s healthy weight can differ from breed to breed; hence, you can consult your vet to understand the right weight range for your pet. However, the below dog weight chart will help you get an idea on whether your furry friend is underweight, healthy, or obese. 

 

dog chart

Underweight:

You can clearly see an underweight dog’s ribs, spine, and hip bone. There is zero body fat and that can be seen on its body. In dogs who are genetically thin, the loss of muscle mass may be evident.

 

Ideal:

You can easily feel the ribs, spine and hips of a dog that falls in an ideal weight category. Its waist should also be visible from above and the side. The last couple of ribs may be visible on a short-coated dog while playing or exercising, which is normal.

 

Overweight:

A dog is considered overweight when it weighs 10-20% more than its ideal body weight. It is difficult to feel the ribs of these dogs. The fat accumulation is also visible at the base of its tail and on the belly. Its back also starts to appear broader. It is advisable to start working on shedding the extra kilos your dog has gained at this stage.

 

Obese:

A dog is considered overweight when it weighs 20% more than its ideal weight. You cannot feel its ribs at all due to the heavy fat accumulation. Fat deposits are also visible around the dog’s neck and its belly also starts to droop.

 

How to Measure Dog’s Weight

You can measure your dog’s weight at home if your dog is a small breed. Here are the steps to follow while measuring the weight of your dog at home: 

 

  • Step 1: Stand on the weighing scale and take note of your weight

  • Step 2: Carry your dog securely and stand on the weighing scale. Take note of the combined weight that the scale indicates
  • Step 3: Subtract your weight from the combined weight to know how much your dog weighs.

 

These steps should not be followed by those who have medium or large breed dogs. The size of your dog could make it difficult for you to hold it properly, and if it starts fidgeting, the handler or the dog could get injured. Hence, owners of medium and large breed dogs should go to the vet to weigh their pet. 

How to keep your dog at a healthy weight?

You can easily manage your dog’s obesity and maintain the ideal weight of your dog if you follow a regime and take the necessary steps. Here’s are some things you should keep in mind during your dog’s weight management: 

Avoid feeding home-cooked foods

Dogs remain healthy if their food quantity is controlled and they are fed on time. But you should avoid feeding your dog home-cooked food. Wondering why? It is because home-cooked meals might not have the right nutrients in the right quantities and that can later affect your furry friend’s overall health. Hence, to keep such risks at bay, it is best that you avoid feeding home-cooked food. In case you plan on giving your dog home-cooked meals, it is imperative that you follow the recipe to the T. 

Refrain from sharing food with your dog

Your dog is your friend so, it's hard not to share your delicious bacon or a mouthful of steak with it. When your dog sits next to you and makes those adorable puppy-dog eyes as you eat, it becomes even more difficult to not share some of your food with it. But you must resist. Giving “human food” greatly increases your dog’s fat intake. It also conditions the dog to believe that it will be fed every time you eat. 

Follow an exercise plan

Exercise is a great way to keep your dog in shape. If you have a busy schedule, then you could break it down into short sessions to play fun games like tug-of-war or go for a quick jog with your dog. You could also play with a frisbee or start working on its agility. Dogs that get enough exercise are less likely to be stressed and this way, you would also get a break from your work. 

Do not overfeed dog treats

Of course, you want to reward a dog when it’s been a good boy or a good girl. But keep in mind that those dog treats can add calories and fat. And more importantly, think about how many types of treats and snacks you are feeding your dog and how often.

Check for health issues

Most of the time, dogs are overweight because they are taking in more calories than they burn. But it's possible there's a bigger problem. If you've tried to control your dog's diet and increase exercise and haven't seen any results yet, consult your veterinarian about thyroid disease or other metabolic or hormonal disorders.

Don't feel discouraged if you don't see results right away. The fight against obesity is fought one day at a time. It is the inculcation of good habits and discipline. By following the tips above and increasing your willpower and patience your dog’s weight management will be an easier and healthy process.

Choose a good pet food brand

There are lots of dog foods available in the market and each pack contains different quantities of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. You must go for foods that provide complete nutrition to your furry friend, and not just calories. Hence, it is necessary to opt for a pet food brand that specialises in dog nutrition.

At IAMS™, we have been focusing on bringing out the best in your dog through healthy food. Explore our range of dog food and choose a product that best suits your dog’s size and age. However, consult your vet regarding the serving size and other details. A vet will also provide you with the tips and tricks on keeping your dog’s weight under control.

Benefit of IAMS™ dog food

  • Balanced nutrition: Every IAMS™ product offers complete and balanced nutrition to your dog. It is loaded with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
  • Lip-smacking taste: IAMS™ dog foods are made with love to whet your furry friend’s appetite. Our products taste so good, your dog won’t leave a trace of it on the bowl.
  • Tailor-made: We have a range of dog foods, formulated specially for dogs of all ages and breed sizes. Since every dog breed has unique nutritional needs, it is imperative to ensure that you choose foods that offer the right amounts of nourishment to your dog per serving.

FAQs

  1. How do I know if my dog’s weight is right?

    2. If your dog has the ideal weight, you will see that its waist narrows down behind the ribs. When you look from above and see that the waist and ribs of your dog fall in one line or even if the waist is bulging out, it indicates that your dog is overweight. The dog weight chart in this article will help you identify if your dog is in good shape.

  2. Is it bad if I can feel my dog's spine?

    3. If your dog is in the ideal weight category, you will be able to feel its spine and ribs with a little fat. But if you can distinctly see its ribs and spine, and its waist also sharply dips behind the ribs, then it means that your dog is undernourished and needs to gain weight.

  3. Can walking my dog help him lose weight

    4. Yes, walking is one of the most efficient and wholesome exercises that will prove beneficial in helping your dog lose weight.

  4. Why is my dog overweight but doesn't eat much?

    5. A sharp increase in the dog’s weight may cannot always be blamed on the amount of food it eats. On many occasions, it may be because of the change in your dog’s metabolism or hormonal disorders as well.

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  • Common Questions about Feeding Your Dog
    Common Questions about Feeding Your Dog

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    Common Questions About Feeding Dogs

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    1. How do I decide what to feed my dog?

    When deciding which pet food is right for your pet, consider these three factors:

    • Your dog’s life stage (Whether your dog is a puppy, an adult, or a senior)
    • Lifestyle (How active your dog is)
    • Condition (Overall health and body weight of your dog)

    1. How many times should I feed a dog?

    Puppies should be fed three times a day from weaning (3 to 6 weeks) to 4 months of age. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most dogs should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.

    1. How much should I feed my dog?

    The answer to this question depends on your dog’s age, size, and activity level. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily-recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™ packages. Start feeding your dog with this amount and adjust according to its needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.

    1. How much should I feed a puppy?

    The amount you need to feed your puppy depends on 3 main factors — breed, weight, and age. However, you can take a look at this general guideline that we recommend for puppies: 

     

    Puppy

    Adult Target Weight (KG)

    Recommended Daily Feeding (g/day)

                                                    <3 months         3-6 months      6-9 months      9-12 months        12-18 months

    Toy breed

    1-3

    15-72

    32-83

    37-83

    		    
     

    3-5

    33-106

    72-121

    83-121

    		    
     

    Small breed (25-50)

    5-8

    48-151

    106-172

    111-172

    111-170

    Transition to IAMSTMPROACTIVE HEALTHTM ADULT DOG
     

    8-10

    69-178

    151-204

    170-204

    170-201

    		  
     

    Medium breed

    10-20

    82-299

    178-343

    201-343

    201-339

    		  
     

    20-25

    137-346

    339-404

    339-404

    339-404

    		  
     

    Large breed

    25-40

    136-492

    346-575

    404-575

    396-575

    396-563
     

    40-50

    191-509

    493-675

    575-681

    563-681

    553-676

    This diet contains 390 kilocalories of metabolizable energy (ME) per 100 gms. Remember to have clean, fresh water available for your dog at all times.

    1. When should I switch puppy to adult dog food diet?

    You should not change your puppy’s food to adult abruptly. Giving your pet time to acclimatise to the new taste of adult food is very important. Also, if you suddenly switch your pup’s food, it can cause digestive problems. Go through this schedule that will help you understand how much to feed your dog and transition your dog’s diet from puppy food to adult food:

    • Day 1 – Add 75% puppy food and mix 25% adult food in your dog’s plate. 
    • Day 2 – Add both foods in equal quantities i.e. 50% puppy food and 50% adult food.
    • Day 3 – Increase the quantity of adult food to 75% and bring down the quantity of puppy food to 25%.
    • Day 4 – Fully transition to adult dog food.

    If you are wondering how much to feed your puppy by weight and age, check out the weight and age-wise breakdown on when to transition your puppy’s diet to adult food:

    Weight range

    Age to begin transition

    Small breeds that weigh < 9.07 kgs 

    9 and 12 months of age

    Medium breeds that weigh between 9.07 and 22.6 kgs

    12 to 14months of age

    Large breeds that weigh more than 22.6 kgs

    12 to 24 months of age

    1. When should I switch my dog to senior food?

    While transitioning from adult dog food to senior dog food, it is important to factor in your dog’s weight. Take a look at this weight table to know when to transition your dog’s food from adult to senior: 

    Weight Range

    Age to Begin Transition

    More than 90 lbs

    5 years

    51 to 90 lbs

    6 years

    21 to 50 lbs

    7 years

    Up to 20 lbs

    7 years

    1. What is the best way to introduce a new diet to my dog?

    When changing your dog’s diet, it’s important to slowly introduce new food. Start by offering your dog’s daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% current food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of the old food.

    1. What to feed my dog if they are overweight?

    If your dog has gained unhealthy weight, make sure to cut down on fats along with increasing regular exercise. We recommend you browse through IAMS™ products and choose dog foods that are low on fat. How much food to feed your dog if they are overweight, is another major concern. You can consult your vet to understand the right amount of food your furry friend needs for each meal.

    1. What should I feed my pregnant or nursing dog?

    It’s important to understand that your dog’s nutritional needs change during pregnancy and ensure you feed her nutrition-rich food. For pregnant dogs, we recommend IAMS™ Puppy food as it’s full of proteins that can help your pregnant dog during the gestation period and improve the quality of milk to nourish her puppies post-delivery.

    1. Is it necessary to feed both wet and dry food?

    Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed alone or mixed with dry food. Although IAMS wet dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, it is not necessary to offer wet food at every feeding. Our dry foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as chicken, lamb or fish, and contain all the essential nutrients pets need. The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums, and aids in overall good oral hygiene. In addition, some of our dry dog foods contain a dental enhancement to help block tartar buildup on teeth during and after meals.

     

    Dog

    1. Will my dog be bored eating the same food all the time?

    No. Unlike humans, dogs have fewer taste receptors. Hence, they won’t feel the urge to eat something different every day. In fact, if you find something that suits your dog’s overall health and preferences, stick to that food.

    1. Is it all right to moisten dry food?

    Soaking dry food will ease up the initial job of the digestive enzymes. While water will not change its nutritional value, the food should be eaten relatively soon. Moreover, ensure that the leftover portion is discarded to avoid spoilage. We recommend providing your dog with IAMS™ dry food because it is beneficial to your dog’s dental health as well..

    1. Can dogs eat cat food?

    No. Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Moreover, cat foods are made with higher fat levels, which can be harmful to a dog. While it is okay for dogs and cats to sniff and lick some food from each other’s bowl, you shouldn’t let dogs eat cat food.

    1. How many biscuits can I feed my dog each day?

    We recommend feeding your dog approximately two to four small biscuits per cup of food. Keep in mind that when you add biscuits to your dog’s daily diet, this increases its daily calorie intake, so you should reduce the amount of food you feed. Check the calorie content of the biscuit since biscuits vary in size and formulation.

    1. Can I supplement my dog foods with vitamins, minerals, oils, etc.?

    Since IAMS™ dog foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, adding more vitamins, minerals or oils can disrupt the balance our dog food provides. The reason why you provide your dog with a high-quality product is that it has been developed to offer nourishment in proper ratios and ensure optimal nutrition. Hence, nothing needs to be added

    1. Why does my dog need to eat protein?

    Protein is one of the essential elements that should be a part of your dog’s diet. Including protein in your dog’s diet will strengthen its muscles, ligaments, and cartilages. A protein-rich food also brings about a healthy shine to your dog’s coat!

    1. Why should one maintain a feeding schedule for dogs?

    It is important to maintain a feeding schedule for dogs so that they are conditioned to expect food at that time and avoid irregular snacking in between.

    1. What are the things a dog cannot eat? 

    You should never feed your dog home-baked goods, candy, gum, chocolate, limes, onion, and grapes. They can harm your dog’s digestive tract and cause infections as well. 

    1. Why should you feed IAMS™ dog food over homecooked food? 

    IAMS™ dog food is full of key nutrients that your dog needs for its healthy growth. The basic ingredients in our food include chicken, fish oil, beet pulp, wholesome grains, and natural prebiotic.

    1. How can I learn more about pet nutrition?

    Follow our blogs to know more about pet nutrition and dog food diet. Feel free to contact us here in case of any queries.

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