Additional exercise will help your dog lose weight but before starting a new fitness plan, it is best consult your veterinarian about the best and safest ways to start getting moving with your pet.
Most dogs love to participate in outdoor activities, like going for a walk, run, swim, or hike.
For an obese dog, it’s best to start out slow & increase exercise gently over time once they start losing weight.
However, be sure you aren’t overexerting them, especially if they have a medical condition, and always watch for signs of heatstroke.
Increase the intensity & length of your daily walk.
Few dogs will naturally walk at a pace that generates the elevated heart rates needed for sustained aerobic activity and weight loss.
The average pace of people walking with their dogs is 20 to 25 minutes per mile (12-15 minutes per kilometer), which is actually a stroll. And they make frequent pauses (on average every one to two minutes) to allow their dog to smell an interesting object or mark territory.
Walking for weight loss is very different than walking for pleasure. You should aim for a daily brisk 30-minute walk – with this sort of walking, you should break into a slight sweat within a few minutes.
Additional simple tips for getting your dog to exercise more are:
- Move the food bowl upstairs or downstairs, changing its location frequently so that the dog always has to walk to get to its food bowl.
- Feed your dog in a treat ball or puzzle feeder to slow down ingestion and help them feel fuller.
- Use toys, balls, laser pointers, squeaky toys, or sticks to encourage games of chase or fetch.
- Try to play with your dog for at least 10 to 15 minutes twice a day.
- There are toys that move randomly and make noises that may also be interesting to your dog. For many dogs, variety is important, and what is exciting or interesting today may be boring tomorrow.