Why cups are often wrong
In a 2019 study in Veterinary Record, owners who filled a scoop by eye were off by as much as 152%. Weigh one level scoop of your dog's food once on a kitchen scale. Then you know what a cup really holds.
Why it is worth it
- In a lifelong study of Labradors, the lean dogs lived about 2 years longer and got arthritis later (Kealy et al., JAVMA, 2002).
- Overweight dogs that lost weight had more energy and less pain (German et al., The Veterinary Journal, 2012).
How the calculator works
Vets plan weight loss from the dog's healthy weight, not today's weight. The calculator uses the formula from the AAHA weight management guidelines:
Calories a day = 70 × (healthy weight in kg)0.75
That is your dog's resting energy at the healthy weight. Feeding that much lets the extra weight come off slowly. We turn it into cups of a typical dry food, about 360 calories per cup. If you enter the number from your bag, the result fits your food.
What a safe pace looks like
Vets advise a loss of 1 to 2% of body weight a week. The calculator uses 1% a week. It is slower, but dogs stay less hungry, and owners keep going. A 72 lb Labrador with a healthy weight of 60 lb gets there in about 19 weeks.
When to see your vet first
- Your dog is 40% or more over the healthy weight.
- Your dog is a puppy, pregnant, nursing, or has a health condition or takes medicine.
- The weight does not move for 4 weeks after you cut the portion. Thyroid problems and Cushing's disease can cause this.
Questions
How much should I feed my dog to lose weight?
Feed the calories for the healthy weight, not the current weight. For most dogs that is about 70 × (healthy weight in kg)0.75 calories a day. Use the calculator above to turn that into cups.
How fast should a dog lose weight?
About 1 to 2% of body weight a week. A 50 lb dog loses about half a pound to one pound a week.
Do treats count?
Yes. Keep treats under 10% of the day's food, and take them out of the meals.
My dog is always hungry. What can I do?
Split the day's food into more meals, add a short walk, and use part of the meal as treats. Some breeds, like Labradors, carry a gene that makes them hungrier. They can still lose weight.