Healthy Weight Loss for Dogs

Overweight dogs are one of the most common health concerns we see at Middle Brighton Vet. It is also one of the most impactful - excess weight shortens lifespan, accelerates joint disease, increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and reduces quality of life in ways that are sometimes hard to see until the weight comes off.

The good news is that it is very manageable with the right approach.

How do I know if my dog is overweight?

The most reliable way to assess your dog's weight is by feel rather than appearance. Run your hands along your dog's ribcage - you should be able to feel each rib easily, like the back of your hand, without having to press. If you have to press firmly to feel the ribs, your dog is carrying excess weight. You should also be able to see a waist when looking at your dog from above, and a tucked abdomen when viewed from the side.

Breed and build vary significantly, which is why we use a standardised body condition score - a scale from one to nine - to assess body composition objectively. We do this at every health check and can show you how to assess it at home.

Why is calorie restriction alone usually not enough?

Simply feeding less of your dog's regular food tends to under-deliver on nutrients while over-delivering on certain ingredients. A purpose-formulated weight loss diet is typically higher in protein to maintain muscle mass, higher in fibre to improve satiety, and lower in fat and calories per serve. This means your dog feels fuller on less food, maintains muscle, and loses fat more effectively.

How fast should a dog lose weight?

Safe weight loss in dogs is typically 1 to 2 percent of body weight per week. Faster than this risks muscle loss and nutrient deficiency. Slower than this means the target calorie level needs adjusting. We set a target weight and a timeframe, and monitor progress monthly - adjusting as needed based on actual results rather than sticking rigidly to an initial calculation.

What about exercise?

Exercise is important for overall health and muscle maintenance, but it contributes less to weight loss than most owners expect. A dog can undo the calorie deficit from a 30-minute walk with a single treat. Diet is the primary lever. Exercise improves the quality of the weight loss by preserving muscle, but it should not be used as the main tool for calorie management - especially in dogs with joint disease, where excessive exercise does more harm than good.

When to call us

If your dog is overweight, start with a weight consultation at Middle Brighton Vet. We will calculate a target weight, recommend the right diet, set realistic monthly targets, and monitor progress. Prescription weight loss diets are available from the clinic and are significantly more effective than over-the-counter light foods.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.

Related services at Middle Brighton Vet: Nutrition and Diets | Consultations and Health Checks