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An overweight dog, just like an overweight human, is vulnerable to several other health problems. To avoid further damage to your pet's health, it's important to reduce the burden on the dog's joints, heart, and the risk of diabetes.

The simplest dietary change is to decrease the amount of food your dog eats on a daily basis. So, no more candy, cookies, bread or butter. If you feel you MUST share your food with your pet, make it small bites of meat, chicken, fish or vegetables.

There are low-fat, low calorie dog treats designed with their specific dietary needs in mind. These treats come in a variety of flavors, and sizes for your particular dog's needs and preferences. A small peanut butter flavored dog biscuit is far healthier than a spoonful of fatty, salty human peanut butter.

Adjusting your dog's feeding schedule from one big meal into two or three smaller meals a day can make it easier for your dog to adjust to a reduced volume of food. Be sure to check the recommended daily amount of food on the package of your dog's current food. If you've been feeding them on the upper end of the recommended daily amount, you can switch to the lowest amount.

Switching to low fat food can take the weight off your dog in a short amount of time. There are many brands of reduced fat food on the market, so if your dog doesn't like one brand you can try different brands until you find one that your dog does enjoy.

The important thing is to get your dog to a healthy weight as soon as possible. Healthy dogs will live longer and have a better quality of life.

Learn more about this author, Holly Berry.
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