Last Updated on 3 months by Dr. Shannon Barrett
Are you having trouble getting your dog to lose weight? Don’t worry! There should be a Weight Watchers support group for pet owners with obese dogs. Pet obesity is a major health concern. Just as with people, canine obesity can lead to serious health problems. Diabetes, pancreatitis, arthritis, and heart disease are just a few of the problems that we see in our “robust”
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How Do I Know if My Dog or Cat is Overweight?
It can be hard to see if our
Here are a few suggestions for offering your pet healthy alternatives when you want to treat them. If your pet has any type of weight problem (underweight or overweight) please check with your veterinarian to rule out possible causes. If your pet has dietary restrictions, discuss giving any new food with your vet.
Can My Pet Have Fruits and Vegetables?
Many
- Raw green beans
- Raw baby carrots
- Raw cucumbers
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Watermelon – avoid seeds
Related Content: 18 Best Healthy Dog Treats
What about Prescription Diets?
If your pet is on a prescription diet from your veterinarian, sometimes treats must be eliminated. Ask your veterinarian if a canned formulation of the diet is available. Most companies make both canned and dried versions.
**Pro Tip**
- Remove the food from the can in one large piece.
- Use a cheese slicer or knife to cut 1/4-inch slices.
- Place the slices onto a cookie sheet.
- Bake them at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy, like a cracker.
*This gives your pet a crunchy treat that stays within the diet plan.
What if my pet has Food Allergy?
Many
Fruitables Baked Dog Treats
Some of our favorite dog cookies are fruits and vegetables in disguise. Fruitables Baked Dog Treats are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, high in fiber and less than 9 calories each, which means guilt-free indulgence for your pup
Why We Like Them:
- Oven baked crunchy treats made with fresh pumpkin and a touch of cinnamon
- Treats are rich in antioxidants & vitamins, high in fiber and less than 9 calories each
- Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E and an excellent source of dietary fiber
- Low calorie treats that are great for dogs with food allergies
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Treats
These treats are a crunchy delight! They are the perfect snack or reward for small and large breed dogs. From training to bonding to learning new tricks, these crunchy biscuits will keep the tails wagging!
Why We Like Them:
- Sweet potatoes provide grain-free sources of fiber for easy digestion
- Purposefully crafted using fewer ingredients to complement your dog’s balanced diet
- Packed with irresistible flavor for all good dogs, not just those with dietary sensitivities
- Grab the small dog size for any size dog in your life. This keeps the calorie count low and they just know they are getting a tasty treat.
These are another great option. They come in several different flavors and use only human grade ingredients. The sweet potato flavor is one of my dog’s favorites. They come in large and small bones. Again, I recommend the small bones for dogs of all sizes. Your furry friends don’t know the difference and it helps keep them lean!
Why We Like Them:
- Low calorie, natural treats made with organic ingredients
- Sweet potatoes are a healthy alternative to most commercial dog treats
- Sweet potatoes, cinnamon – everyone loves this combination!
These are low calorie and most cats like the crunchy texture.
They have a unique shape which helps clean their teeth and reduce tartar, while also serving as a cat breath freshener. Yes, please!
Why We Like Them:
- Made with natural ingredients plus added vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
- They are nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats but should not serve as your cats main diet. Yes, we have seen it happen 😉
- Grernies have no artificial flavors, has no artificial preservatives, and contains less than 2 calories per treat.
How can I Easily Medicate my Pet?
Getting your pet to take medication can often be difficult.
A great option for covering up the taste of a pill is Pill Pockets. The Peanut butter and the duck flavors tend to have an odor that dogs and cats enjoy. Although humans may not appreciate the duck ones as much. They also come in other delicious flavors such as hickory smoke and chicken. For those dogs with chicken allergies, avoid the chicken ones.
Why We Like Them:
- Your
pets prefer taking pills with a delicious treat than a human hand down their throat - The capsule size are large enough to be broken into smaller pieces for tablet or you can use an entire one for larger capsules
- They come in several flavors so if your pet gets suspicious of the peanut butter, you can switch to another flavor
**Pro Tip**
Bananas are another great option for hiding medications! They are usually tasty enough to mask the pill’s flavor but also low in calories—healthy but sneaky!
Are Treat Dispensing Toys Good For Dogs and Cats?
Having toys that deliver food to your pet can be a lifesaver. Everyone needs a break, especially after cooking a great meal for yourself. A treat-dispensing toy is a great way to keep your pet occupied while you eat your meal! (And it keeps those cute “begging” eyes away from your plate). These toys also encourage your pet to burn calories while eating. These are great for our arthritic pets because you can control their calories, and it keeps them active.
This toy is perfect for overly eager eaters; use as a kibble-dispensing feeder to make dinnertime fun while encouraging a better meal pace for your dog
Why We Like It:
- It’s made with durable, non-toxic materials for long-lasting use
- My shepherd has used his for years. You can put treats or kibble in the jug.
- The hole at the top allows for a variety of treat/kibble sizes to fall out
Another option for eager eaters! Your canine friends roll this ball around, and kibble falls out of a strategically placed hole in the ball. My shepherd loves this one as well. There is a dial on the inside so you can control the size of the opening. This allows you to use food or treats of various sizes.
Why We Like It:
- Helps give your dog extra exercise since they have to move the ball around the room to get the treats/kibble out
- It has an adjustable hole on the inside so you can control the size of the treat and the speed at which it is dispensed.
- The ball on the outside protects the ball on the inside, which houses the treats. This makes it more durable if your dog gets rough with it.
I recommend these to clients who have dogs that are aggressive chewers. The ones from the Zogoflex line are tough enough for the most aggressive chewers yet the material will not damage their teeth like other toys. Some of my favorite toys from this line have holes in them, so you can Stuff or freeze their favorite treats inside to keep them entertained and stimulated.
West Paw Toppl Treat Dispensing Toy Bundle
One of our favorite puzzle toys! The Toppl comes in small and large sizes. We recommend getting one of each size so you can connect them together for an extra challenge! The Toy Bundle includes both the small and large sizes. They can be used independently or connected together. They contain a hollow center which can be filled with your dogs favorite treats or banana or peanut butter – the possibilities are endless!
Why We Like It:
- Contains inner “teeth” to hold treats in place
- Offers different levels of difficulty since the small and large versions can be connected together
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup
The Qwizl treat-dispensing toy has a brilliant design to help extend the life of treats placed inside. It has openings on both sides as well as a “peek a boo” opening in the middle. This allows you to be creative when putting treats in the Qwizl and gives your pup many options to get to his reward. Fun for both of you!
Why We Like It:
- Super tough, so your dog can chew on it without destroying it
- As with all West Paw Toys, it’s dishwasher-safe and BPA-free
- Can be placed in the freezer, so you can use healthy options such as bananas or canned pumpkin as fillers
West Paw Tux Treat Dispensing Toy
Have a dog that tears up chew toys in minutes! Then this is the toy for them! The Tux is the toughest treat toy that West Paw offers. It’s made to stand up to avid chewers. The Tux has a hollow center to fill with treats, fruit or peanut butter to keep your pup entertained. Sweet and tough – just like your pup!
Why We Like It:
- Allows you to add a variety of treats to the hollow center
- Non Toxic and dishwasher-safe
- Stands up to avid chewers, so built to last
(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find more quality information about preventing obesity in dogs and cats?
As we all know, there is a lot of misinformation online about everything and this is especially true about our
Here, you can find articles on calories, energy requirements, and exercise tips, all from veterinarians.
2. How quickly should my pet lose weight?
We want to be careful when working on weight loss with our
Dr. Shannon Barrett brings an exceptional blend of academic excellence and professional expertise to the world of veterinary medicine. With a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences, where she graduated with honors, and dual Bachelor degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology, her depth of knowledge is extensive. A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Barrett's insights and contributions to pet health have been featured in leading publications such as Rover, MarketWatch, and Newsweek.
