5. Savings of Time and Money Healing a sick dog is still costly and time-consuming, even if it is ultimately successful. If you have a dog with Cushing’s disease, for example, there are the costs and time associated with trips to the veterinarian, adrenal hormone level tests, and often the long-term administration of prescription medications. If a dog needs surgery, chemotherapy or other intensive care, these treatments can easily set you back thousands of dollars. This doesn’t take into consideration the time you’d need to take off from work or other obligations. It also doesn’t calculate the high level of stress and discomfort your pup may experience from frequent trips to the veterinarian and unpleasant procedures. Healthy dogs typically require less veterinary care. “Maintaining a healthy weight will mean fewer trips for medical care other than preventative therapy, and less or no medications to treat obesity-related problems,” says Dr. Bartges. A longer life, increased energy, decreased risk for health issues and better joint health are all benefits that can result from dogs losing weight. Committing to a balanced diet and exercise—with the help of your veterinarian—is an important part of maintaining your dog’s health and is well worth the effort. By: Paula Fitzsimmons Featured Image: iStock.com/Przemyslaw Iciak,Reviewed for accuracy on March 14, 2019, by Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM Veterinarians have been raising concerns about the issue of pet obesity, and with good reason. Overweight dogs are at risk for conditions like heart disease, arthritis, Cushing’s disease, and some types of skin disease and cancer as well as a shorter lifespan and decreased quality of life. Helping your dog lose weight can result in a host of health benefits for her, including a reduced risk of disease along with better joint health and overall vitality. An added benefit is that with a healthy dog, you’ll likely be making fewer trips to the veterinarian. How You Can Help Your Dog Lose Weight While certain health conditions—like low thyroid hormone levels—can result in an overweight dog, a poor diet and lack of exercise are often key contributors to weight gain in dogs. “We’re seeing dogs who are increasingly being overfed and not exercised enough. They are also increasingly considered members of the family, with pet owners using treats as a form of communication and love,” says Dr. David Dilmore, medical editor at Vancouver, Washington-based Banfield Pet Hospital. The good news, says Dr. Dilmore, is that even small changes can have a big impact over the long term. “Instead of resolving to run with your dog 3 miles a day, start with walking a few extra blocks each day. Cutting down on ‘people food’ and limiting treats to no more than 10 percent of the dog’s daily calories are also small changes you can make.” Another easy change is to use dog interactive toys for mealtime rather than a dog bowl. Some interactive toys encourage dogs to increase their activity levels, says Dr. Angela Witzel, clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. The Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble dog toy and Starmark treat-dispensing Bob-a-Lot dog toy, for example, are designed to make your pup work for her dog food or dog treats. Partner with your veterinarian to design a balanced diet that ensures that your dog is losing weight properly. Additionally, “Consulting with your veterinarian before starting an exercise plan for your pet is a good idea, as it may be best to start slow to build up your pet’s endurance,” says Dr. Dilmore. Getting fit can actually be fun, too. You can use technology to help monitor the progress your pet is making and set daily goals for her. A dog activity tracker, like the FitBark 2 waterdog activity and sleep monitor, can help you meet those fitness goals, monitor your pup’s movements and track progress. It even has an option that lets you synchronize the monitor to your phone so you can get in shape together. If you need a little extra motivation in helping your dog lose weight, consider the following benefits.