Oops, are you accidentally feeding your pup too much? Look out for these 4 signs you are overfeeding your dog and learn how to fix it!
4 signs you are overfeeding your dog
Let’s face it – we all love spoiling our furry friends with treats and big portions! But the problem with this is that most dogs will eat far more than they should, and overfeeding can quickly lead to obesity and other health problems.
Keep an eye out for these four signs that you are overfeeding your dog:
1 – Weight gain
When it comes to food, many dogs don’t have a stop button! They will eat far more than they need, and these extra calories quickly lead to weight gain and obesity. If your dog is losing its waistline, it might be time to cut back on the kibble.
2 – Reduced energy levels
Extra calories do not always mean extra energy! Overfeeding can lead to lethargy and a lack of energy, causing your dog to take more naps than usual and show less interest in walks and playtime.
3 – Digestive problems
Overfed dogs may experience digestive issues – commonly passing normal stools in the morning, which then become softer through the day. If your pup’s poop is irregular, it could be a sign that they’re getting too much food.
4 – Abnormal appetite
Does your dog often leave uneaten food in the bowl? Or are they always pestering you for more treats and food? Either of these could be a sign of overfeeding – a dog on a balanced diet should finish its daily rations with gusto, without begging for more.
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Why is overfeeding your dog a problem?
As much as we love spoiling our furry friends, overfeeding can lead to a whole host of health problems. Obesity, diabetes, and joint pain are just a few of the potential risks associated with overfeeding your dog. Plus, an overweight pup will lack the energy or enthusiasm for playtime and adventure, leading to a reduced quality of life.
How to stop overfeeding your dog
Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to help your dog slim down and stay healthy!
Start by cutting back on treats and reducing your dog’s portion sizes. Switch to high-quality, low-calorie dog food, weighing out your dog’s daily ration to ensure you are feeding the correct amount.
Add in healthy treats like carrots, apples, and broccoli, and don’t forget to get your pup moving with daily walks, hikes, and playtime!
You may also ask your vet to prepare a personalized nutrition plan for your buddy. It should take into consideration your pet’s breed, age, weight, and health status, as well as any specific dietary needs or preferences they may have. You may also ask for alternatives in order to adjust the plan to your own lifestyle and budget.
Finally, a customized exercise plan will also go a long way towards helping your pet reach and maintain a healthy weight.
How Maven can help
Maven lets you keep up with your pet’s activity and sleep with ease via daily and weekly reports! A weight tracking feature lets you log new entries so you can view how it varies over time, and you’ll receive regular check-ups to fill in order to report any irregularities.
These tools – and more – help you track your pup’s progress. Your vet can even measure any nutrition and exercise plans’ effectiveness and adjust them accordingly for better results!
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
I love my pup to death , but do not want to over feed her with food or treats. She is a 6. Month old HavaMalt. Weights 8.3 lbs, just has been spayed a week ago. I feed her wet duck and chicken with dry kibble Now Turkey Duck and salmon, then a liver treat crumbled on top. Is that a lot 1 large tablespoon wet, maybe 20 kibbles and one piece of dried liver sprinkled on top.
Then Duck dry breast treats maybe 4 a day.
Hi Maggie, thank you so much for reaching out! You are right to be concerned about your pup’s diet and weight. Optimal body condition is vital for our dogs to thrive and be healthy.
There are several aspects to be taken into account when choosing the proper diet plan. The food’s quality is highly important, but ensuring a proper daily amount of food is mandatory to prevent overweight issues.
The great majority of brands provide a chart on the package with the recommended daily amount of food considering the pet’s weight and age. These are generic guidelines to help pet parents.
For a more personalized recommendation of the daily amount of food, a more thorough assessment of the dog’s body condition and body fat is required – which involves taking several measurements of the dog’s body and a proper hands-on exam. The daily caloric requirements and feeding amount can then be calculated. Depending on the kind of food, that amount will change.
Regarding treats, they are often the reason why pets are overweight. Treats should never comprise more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric requirements!
Knowing how much a dog should be fed is not as straightforward as it seems, and a proper veterinary assessment is required. That being said, as previously mentioned, you can check the food’s package to have a clearer idea of what that should be!
Best regards
Thank you for your help…..
Thankses, I love my animals, you helped me much with taking care of them.
Its excellent as your other posts : D, regards for posting .
We got a 2 year old terrier mix that came to us at 14 pounds she has gained almost 3 pounds in six months. My mom feeds her her breakfast and her food, but she always gives her second helpings and little kibbles in addition to what she is eaten already and during the day she gives her chicken snacks, she is done this to all the dogs. They are all fat and she doesn’t seem to think that she’s over feeding them. How can we fix this?
Hi Aimee, thanks for reaching out! The main thing would be to stop giving the dog extra treats between meals (or at least reduce their amount). We know this can be hard, so you can try opting for a lower-calorie dog food and snacks such as apples and carrots.
Food-dispensing toys are also a good way of keeping your dog active while also causing her to take a longer time to eat.
Keep in mind that maintaining a regular activity routine is also key for your pup to be healthy and in good shape.
Finally, you can ask your vet to help – they can prepare a personalized nutrition plan that considers your family’s lifestyle and your dog’s individual needs.
We hope this helps! 🙂 Best regards
Sorry this is me again. I forgot to mention she does this again at dinner time.