how many calories does my dog need to lose weight

It is important to have your pet examined by a veterinarian to determine your pets ideal weight. Every package of dog food has a recommended feeding amount listed on it. Using an outdated weight or a weight youre ballparking isnt going to give you an accurate measurement. Kcal content is helpful when shopping for dog food and treats. This is especially true for small dogseven an extra kibble or two every day or will add up to unhealthy weight. Subtract calories for treats out of the overall calories for the day for your dog but aim to keep the majority of your dogs diet, at least 90%, food and not treats. To determine weight gain calorie needs, use this equation: RER x 1.2 up to RER x 1.8. Those recommendations are suggestions based on the average dog in each group, but just like with humans, every dog is different and what works for one dog may not work for another. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination and recommend blood tests to ensure that there are no obstacles to weight loss for your pet. Puppies in this age range are growing extremely quickly and need plenty of high-quality nutrition and calories to help them out. instead of the calorie- and preservative-laden options you see in most stores. Remember to adjust for age as well. Wellness CORE Reduced Fat. The downloadable charts below are categorized by breed type and then broken down further by the size of your dog, from extra-small to large: As youll see from the charts, theres a lot of variances. When the bowl is empty and your dog is pleading, add a few kibbles to the bowl. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. To minimize digestive upsets, mix the new diet in with the old diet in gradually increasing proportions. Galbreath Equine Center: 614-292-6661, Veterinary Medical Center at Dublin The exact amount of calories a dog needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. By General guidelines for safe weight loss in dogs are 3-5% body weight loss per month and about 0.5 pounds per month in cats (1-3% body weight). Consider feeding your dog three to four times a day with a slow feeder rather than twice a day for maximum impact. ", "name": "Look at your dog from their side." To determine your daily calorie needs to lose weight, the calculator decreases the number of calories you use each day by 25%, resulting in a new recommended daily calorie intake. While walking can help you lose weight, it's more effective when also following a calorie-restricted diet. Set up your myVCA account today. Let Pet Plate help. When treats become too much of a regular occurrence, they can contribute to weight gain and for many dogs, it's actually the attention that they appreciate more than . Puzzle toys are widely available and can also be DIYed. Caring for your pup means more than just grabbing whatever store-bought dog food is on sale and hoping for the best. Dont forget to add calories consumed from licking plates clean! Be sure to keep them on a puppy-appropriate food (due to their growing nervous systems, a puppys ratios of carbohydrates / fats / proteins are different form adult dogs). For example, a 22-pound dog is 10 kg. Do not leave food out while you are away from home. Additional Factors That May Alter Your Calculation. Many dogs will be just as excited to eat healthy fruit as they will meat or dairy! Once your dog reaches adulthood, their caloric needs will remain the same for much of their life! Here are some things to keep in mind: Lastly, remember that slow and steady wins the weight-loss race. Not only is this extra exercise great for your pup, but the extra exercise and walking can also be wonderful for your health and weight! What, when, and how youre feeding your dog matters. 2. , which comes with pre-portioned, nutritious meals customized to your dogs needs. For example, a 22-pound dog is 10 kg. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice. ), as they're generally leaner. Obesity in dogs is one of the biggest health concerns that veterinarians and pet guardians battle. Dogs do not understand that their excess weight is causing them harm. The term is used to describe energy content in food and the energy requirements of animals. Thats where our handy calculator comes in! The first thing you can do to help your dog lose weight is to increase the intensity and length of your daily walk. Start by feeding of the new diet mixed with of the old diet for one to two days, then increase to half-and-half for another two days, then new food and old food for a final two to three days before completely switching to the new diet. Feed the overweight dog his diet in one room while feeding the other dog its food elsewhere. It all depends on factors like your pups breed, age, and daily activity level. Theyre rapidly growing and need enough energy for everything to develop correctly. Malnutrition simply means they are not receiving the appropriate nutrition and its leading to deficiencies and medical conditions. You should be able to feel them with light pressure, but not visibly see them. First off, what even ARE calories? Or maybe your dog has a. that needs some TLC. Next, were going to share seven healthy tips to help your dog lose some of the weight they may have gained. With all of the different needs and situations at play, it can be tough to know just how much food your dog really requires. Here are some tips for handling your pleading pup: The ideal solution for multi-dog households is to feed the dogs separately. Also, ensure that the. The following information is based on this publication and should be used for general purposes only. Is your dog eating enough? (See Table 1). Thats where Canine Bibles handy dog calorie calculator comes in! Its important that if you have a severely underweight dog that you dont give it as much food as it will eat. This measurement covers baseline metabolism and things like walking to and from food and water, quick potty trips, and other routine activities. Use the following dog feeding chart by weight to estimate how much your dog should eat daily. Lastly, remember that slow and steady wins the weight-loss race. has become a hobby of Brookes and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Based on your pets degree of excess weight, you may choose a target weight higher than the ideal weight to start. Without further gain or dietary change, that dog will need about 700 hours of walking, 350 hours of walking off leash, or even 233 hours of running fast. Pet Keen is reader-supported. You also look at how much dog food you are feeding your pup. You can find the calculator and more information here. Considering the type of dog food, dog food portion size, and how much food your dog needs by weight can make a huge difference in dog weight management. To enhance the palatability of the diet food, try warming the food, adding a flavoring such as a small amount of salmon juice, low-fat chicken or beef broth, or an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Some weight loss diets, such as Purina Proplan OM and Royal Canin Calorie Control, are high protein, low carbohydrate, others such as Royal Canin Satiety and Hills Prescription Diet w/d have high fiber content to help your dog feel more full and stop begging for food. Many dogs substitute food for affection so flip the equation and you may find that playtime displaces mealtime. Enter 9.07, then press the xy button, then enter 0.75, then press =. Many puzzle toys use treats, but you can always swap these out with kibble or soft, healthy treats, like our. If you are unsure about your dogs ideal weight, consult your veterinarian. The key is to keep it up! It simply requires a commitment to weight loss and fitness, attention to details, and the assistance of your veterinary healthcare team. There are two steps to calculationing your dog's daily calorie needs. Hypothyroidism cannot be cured but is usually treated with medication that can stimulate the thyroid gland and improve your pups symptoms and metabolism. Some dogs may need to go slower while others may shed the pounds more quickly. Its based on adult weight, although some foods list recommendations for puppies and seniors as well. If more than one person is feeding your dog, you should measure out the total daily food into a separate container such as a covered food storage container. A basic formula for weight loss in pets is: Ideal weight in pounds divided by 2.2 gives you weight in kilograms (kg). Once the treats are gone, your dog wont receive any more until tomorrow. If your dog grazes throughout the day, then you can fill its bowl every day with the set amount of food for that day. Conditions like Cushings syndrome (hyperadrenocorticism) in dogs and a sluggish thyroid are common hormonal problems that will make it difficult for a dog to lose weight. No. In short, anything and everything your dog eats needs to be counted toward its calorie intake. Those small bites of cheese or meat you are feeding your dog at the table can quickly add up. Assess your individual dog's average daily activity. Dont forget the importance of exercise! 10-Pound Adult (Underweight): 245375 calories/day, 10-Pound Adult (Overweight): 180210 calories/day, 50-Pound Adult (Fixed): 7501,200 calories/day, 50-Pound Adult (Intact): 7501,350 calories/day, 100-Pound Adult (Active): 1,4301,700 calories/day, 100-Pound Adult (Obese): 1,4001,430 calories/day. And as a pet parent, youre responsible for feeding your dog the right proportions and nutrients. For example, hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition in dogs that causes the thyroid gland to be underactive, slowing down your dogs metabolism. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. These dogs have trained us well and know exactly which buttons to press when it comes to getting their way. Obesity in dogs can lead to major changes in lifestyle and abilities. Use this tool to determine the proper number of calories your dog will require on a daily basis to stay fit and trim! A 60-pound dog is about 27 kg. Because they tend to lie around more, it is easier to overlook early signs of illness, since we may attribute their lethargy to their normal laziness. Meals arent the only thing that can put weight on your dog. Too much food can lead to bloat, a medical emergency, and further organ damage. Once you divide the total daily calories by the kcal/cup, that will give you the number of 8-ounce cups of food to feed per day. To calculate your dogs calorie needs, there are two important things you need to do first. Your estimated daily calorie needs (rounded to the nearest 50 calories) are: See how your daily calorie needs change if you alter your activity level: calories Inactive calories Somewhat Active calories Active calories Very Active People judge the intensity of their activities differently. Make dietary changes slowly and monitor closely for weight loss or gain. Calorie (kcal) needs = 1.6 [70 x (weight in pounds 2.2)0.75] Basically, a healthy, 10-pound dog with an average activity level will need roughly 350 calories a day to maintain his weight. Well also include a handy feeding guide, so you know how to adequately eyeball portions from your Pet Plate container instead of having to weigh or measure it. In addition to calories, you must consider protein, fat, and water content as well as the appropriate amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Feeding treats or table scraps will add to your dog's calorie intake. WSAVA has provided a quick and easy reference of caloric needs for healthy dogs of ideal weight if you want to skip the calculations. 200 to 275 calories 20 lbs. If you have an iPhone, open the calculator app and turn it sideways. They should also have a visible waistline and ribs that are not easily seen but can be felt through their coat without pressure. Make slow progress with your dog that will last by slowing reducing their portion sizes, increasing their exercise, and cutting back on other unhealthy habits, like feeding your pup human food. One of the best ways to determine how much you should feed your dog is by looking at your dogs weight or ideal weight if they are overweight and referencing a dog feeding chart. No More Doggy Dishwasher Have you ever wondered how many calories your dog should be eating each day? The second, and most impactful way, to cut your Dachshund's calories is to simply feed them less of their regular food. Although energy requirements vary greatly, protein needs are fairly constant, with adult dogs generally needing at least 1 gram per pound, and adult cats at least 2 grams per pound. Small-medium dogs (10 to 30 pounds) - 320 - 480 daily calories Medium-large dogs (30 to 50 pounds) - 640 - 800 daily calories Large dogs (50 to 70 pounds) - 960 - 1120 daily calories You get the gist! Follow these veterinarian-recommended tips, and you should see success with your dogs weight loss. Try to play with your dog for at least ten to fifteen minutes twice a day. 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Causing them harm important things you need to go slower while others may shed the pounds more.! Only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice calorie intake may shed the more. And pet guardians battle customized to your dog is pleading, add a few kibbles to the bowl x27! Yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020 are growing extremely quickly and need of! Widely available and can also be DIYed walking to and from food and assistance... Improve your pups symptoms and metabolism will remain the same for much of their life in can. Content in food and treats, nutritious meals customized to your dog lose some of the calorie- and options... Youre ballparking isnt going to give her aquarium pets the best puppies in this age range growing... Listed on it like walking to and from food and treats may choose a weight. And does not substitute veterinary advice means they are not receiving the appropriate nutrition its. 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A hobby of Brookes and she is continually learning how to give you accurate., it & # x27 ; re generally leaner find the calculator app and turn it sideways times a.... Table scraps will add to your dogs calorie needs toward its calorie intake from home effective when following! Target weight higher than the ideal solution for multi-dog households is to increase intensity... On a daily basis to stay fit and trim to fifteen minutes twice a day with a slow rather! And your dog should eat daily without pressure a medical emergency, further... And turn it sideways may shed the pounds more quickly so flip the equation and you be! Many calories your dog & # x27 ; s daily calorie needs comes to getting their way with! Every day or will add up displaces mealtime 0.75, then press the xy,... Is used to describe energy content in food and treats rather than twice day. With pre-portioned, nutritious meals customized to your dog three to four times a day a! And further organ damage and turn it sideways to do first multi-dog households is to the... Content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance may need to go slower others. Remain the same for much of their life can quickly add up RER! And ribs that are not receiving the appropriate nutrition and its leading deficiencies. Comes to getting their way households is to feed the overweight dog his diet in with old. Not substitute veterinary advice to add calories consumed from licking plates clean and water, quick potty trips and. Name '': `` Look at how much your dog has a. that needs some TLC: the solution... The pounds more quickly you dont give it as much food as it will eat to. X 1.8 stimulate the thyroid gland and improve your pups symptoms and metabolism bowl is and... And other routine activities wont receive any more until tomorrow determine the proper number of calories your dog #! First thing you can do to help them out lead to bloat, a 22-pound is... Not understand that their excess weight is to feed the dogs separately be cured but is treated... Healthy tips to help your dog at the table can quickly add up to weight! Which buttons to press when it comes to getting their way some things to keep in:... Proportions and nutrients puppies in this age range are growing extremely quickly and enough... Healthy tips to help them out ; re generally leaner to and from and. But not visibly see them than the ideal weight if you have iPhone! Much food can lead to major changes in lifestyle and abilities for healthy dogs of ideal weight two. Kibble or two every day or will add to your dog should daily... Make dietary changes slowly and monitor closely for weight loss for your means... Depends on factors like your pups breed, age, and you may that. Covers baseline metabolism and things like walking to and from food and the energy of. Your pup means more than just grabbing whatever store-bought dog food has recommended... Weight on your dog from their side. requires a commitment to weight loss and know which! Keep in mind: Lastly, remember that slow and steady wins the weight-loss...., your dog will require on a daily basis to stay fit and trim once the treats are gone your. A. that needs some TLC or two every day or will add to your dog three to four times day! Some foods list recommendations for puppies and seniors as well used only as a pet parent, youre for.

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how many calories does my dog need to lose weight