Helping your dog stay at a healthy weight

Helping your dog stay at a healthy weight

We love our dogs at every size (OF COURSE!), but when it comes to their health, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things we can do for them. Even carrying just a little extra weight puts pressure on their joints, affects their heart, impacts their training, and can shorten their lifespan. On the other hand, dogs who stay lean tend to live longer, happier, and more active lives.

Why healthy weight matters

A dog at a healthy weight will usually:

• Move more freely and comfortably.
• Have better stamina on walks and play.
• Be at lower risk of serious conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
• Be more focused and responsive to training. 

Even small changes matter — just a couple of extra kilos can make a real difference to a dog’s quality of life. And at the end of the day, most of us want the same thing: our dogs to be happy, comfortable, full of energy and with healthy hearts and vital organs.

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Common causes of weight gain in dogs

Weight gain is often unintentional. Some of the common reasons include:

• Overfeeding or too many treats — especially those given “out of love” (no judgement – those puppy eyes are seductive!)
• Not factoring training treats into their overall diet.
• Lack of exercise — many modern lifestyles mean less outdoor time, smaller backyards and less exercise overall for both dogs and their humans.
• Breed predispositions — some breeds are naturally more prone to weight gain for various reasons, such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Pugs and Bulldogs. 
• Slowing metabolism with age — older dogs often need fewer calories than when they were younger.
• Desexing — while not directly causing weight gain, it can slow down a dog’s metabolism and can lead to increased appetite and decreased activity so dietary adjustments can be necessary. 
• “Cute” chubbiness — it’s easy to mistake a rounded look for health.
• Being given human foods or too many scraps — fatty meat scraps and other human tidbits can contribute to weight gain.

How to tell if your dog is overweight

A quick way to check your dog’s condition is through a body condition score:

• You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without pressing too hard.
• Looking from above, your dog should have a defined waistline.
• From the side, you should see a slight tummy tuck.

Different breeds will have different shapes, of course - but this is a good general guideline. Other signs include reduced stamina, reluctance to jump or climb, and sometimes needing help onto the couch or into the car.

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Steps to support healthy weight management

If your dog needs to slim down, the good news is there are practical steps you can take:

• Portion control — measure meals rather than free-feeding.
• Balance food and treats — if you give treats, reduce meal portions to compensate.
• Choose lower calorie training treats — use your dog’s normal kibble, small pieces of cooked chicken breast, or even cubed carrots or apple for highly food motivated dogs!
• Exercise — tailor activity to your dog’s age, breed, and ability. 
• Active enrichment — opt for physical games at least some of the time, rather than only relying on food-based enrichment options.
• Track progress — regular weigh-ins and condition checks help you spot small changes early.
• Consider a lower fat diet — like the ADVANCE™ Healthy Weight range.

When diet plays a key role

Food plays a huge role in managing weight safely. Specially formulated diets provide all the essential nutrients while reducing calories and fat content — so your dog feels satisfied without the risk of gaining more weight.

The  ADVANCE Healthy Weight range is a good example of tailored nutrition that helps restrict weight gain while still supporting a dog’s overall metabolism. I like that it combines reduced fat content with high-quality protein, so dogs can maintain lean muscle while keeping extra weight off. 

It also has L-Carnitine to support fat metabolism and energy, along with fermentable prebiotic fibre for gut health, which as we know is critical for healthy weight in both humans and dogs! I also love that it includes New Zealand green-lipped mussel powder, which is clinically proven to help with joint health…SO important for older or overweight dogs. 

Most importantly, a diet like this will keep dogs satisfied while maintaining a healthy weight — and for me, that’s the key to long-term success.

Note that this range is suited for overweight adult dogs, not puppies - pups require a higher fat percentage while they’re growing so rapidly. 

Get 30% off* the ADVANCE Healthy Weight dog food range

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Preventing weight gain in the first place

It’s of course always easier to prevent weight gain than to reverse it. Start with good feeding habits from puppyhood (take the treats component out of their main meal!), measure out meals, build daily exercise into your dog’s routine and be aware of life stage changes that may require dietary adjustments, like entering senior years or being spayed/neutered.

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Final thoughts

If your dog is carrying a little extra weight, don’t feel guilty — it’s a VERY common challenge. What matters is taking steps now to help them back to a healthier place. With portion control, regular exercise, and the right nutrition, most dogs respond beautifully.

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This content is created in partnership with ADVANCE.‍

*T&Cs apply until the stock lasts. Discount code not applicable with other promos

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