60% of Dogs Are Overweight: A Vet’s Guide to Using Portion Control to Help Them Thrive

A dog’s weight is one of the biggest factors in their quality and length of life. Healthy weight dogs are far less likely to experience significant health issues, and being at a healthy weight can extend a dog’s lifespan by an average of 2.5 years, compared to an overweight dog. 

What is most shocking about this study is that the dogs in the “overweight” group were only about 20% overweight — not obese and still had a dramatically shortened lifespan compared to dogs at a healthy weight.

Today, approximately 60% of dogs in the USA are overweight or obese. Many dog parents try all sorts of tricks and tactics to help, but with limited results. 

As a vet, and the founder of Sundays for Dogs, weight is a crucial health marker that’s always top of mind for me. And when we designed our recipes, we knew we could help make weight management easier for dog parents by combining healthy, high-quality food with portions designed by vets and tailored to each individual dog. 

Why A Dog’s Weight Is Such a Big Deal

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight isn’t about cosmetic or aesthetic concerns. Excess weight in dogs is linked to a whole host of health problems throughout the body, including arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infections, heart failure, and cancer. 

Overweight dogs are also more prone to lethargy, which inhibits your ability to live your lives to the fullest together. 

Then there’s the financial burden that preventable, excess weight-related issues cause too; treatments related to obesity cost owners an average of 17% more than healthcare costs of a healthy weight dog. 

The good news is that even small positive changes in a dog’s weight also make a big difference — a study found that dogs suffering from osteoarthritis-related lameness saw improved mobility after losing just 6% of their body weight. 

In other words, weight is a crucial factor in a dog’s overall health and longevity. 

Why Managing a Dog’s Weight Can Be Difficult 

There can be a lot of shame around struggling to keep your dog at a healthy weight, but it helps to understand why it’s such a common issue.

The biggest factor is food portions. The standard dog food serving guide is listed on the side of the bag by dog weight. But there’s a huge difference in dietary needs between a 20 pound adult Corgi who joins your jogs and a 20 pound senior Corgi who’s a professional couch potato! 

Food needs are determined by more than just basic weight — a dog’s breed, activity level, spay/neuter status, and age all contribute to their body’s caloric needs. By not taking these factors into account, standard dog food bag serving recommendations can contribute to massive overfeeding. 

While many owners free-feed their dogs (that is, giving them constant access to food to eat as they please) free-feeding makes it almost impossible to know how much food your dog is eating in a day, compared to set mealtimes. 

Dog parents are also constantly encouraged to feed their dogs treats, whether for training, rewards, or just showing affection. What treats don’t often make clear is that treats should ideally make up no more than 10% of a dog’s total daily calories, and if fed in large quantities can quickly lead to unintended weight gain. 

How to Tell Your Dog’s Ideal Weight

One study found that 65% of dog owners misperceive their dog’s weight, which shows it can be really hard to gauge on your own — and especially if you’ve got a fluffier breed!

The best way to get a sense of your dog’s healthiest weight is to talk to your veterinarian. They’ll be able to give you the most accurate estimate for what your dog’s weight should look like taking into account everything they know about your pup. 

If you’re at home and looking to get a sense of whether your dog should lose or gain a few pounds, the easiest method is evaluating their body condition. To do this, run your fingers over your dog’s ribs. Ideally, your dog’s ribs should be easy to feel, but not feel sharp or “bony”. 

If they’re very prominent, and feel like a xylophone, you may need to focus on upping your dog’s food intake, or ruling out a medical issue with your vet. If the ribs are hard to feel, or under a thick layer of fat, your dog may benefit from shedding some of the excess weight they’re carrying. 

They should also have a slightly hourglass taper to their waist when viewed directly from above, not a consistent barrel shape or bulge outward. And lastly, viewed from the side the belly should slope upwards from the ribs to the hind legs — this is known as the abdominal tuck, and a slight or nonexistent one may also suggest your dog is carrying some excess fat. 

How Sundays Helps Your Dog Reach a Healthy Weight 

Accurate portions are ultimately the biggest key to a healthy weight for dogs. I worked with a team of veterinarians (including myself) and nutritionists (both PhD and veterinary) to determine the optimal portion of Sundays’ recipes for every level of caloric need. 

When you sign up for Sundays, you’ll tell us a little about your dog, details like their age, spay/neuter status, breed, and activity level. Then we’ll provide a tailored recommendation just for them, easily measurable in cups. 

Feeding your dog’s recommended daily portion is the most effortless way to help them meet their healthiest weight. But there are some other ways we’ve ensured our recipes are as helpful and healthy as possible too!

Our food is all made to human-grade standard, using high quality ingredients, mostly meat, and superfoods. It’s nutrient-dense, and unlike ultra-processed options like kibble and canned food, our recipes are highly digestible and made with no fillers, helping keep your dog full and satiated for longer. 

Lastly, exercise is important! You should ensure your dog is getting their recommended time outside and active each day. But some experts estimate that diet is 70% of the equation — by simply feeding higher quality, more accurately portioned food, you can see enormous benefits for your dog, without feeling like you need to start marathon training together! 

Try Sundays Tailored Portions Today

We hear every day from people whose dogs we’ve helped reach a healthier weight. It can have an incredible impact on their quality of life! And they’re some of the most rewarding messages we hear from customers. 

Our team is here to help every step of the way, whether portions need adjusting or you have any questions on your dog’s weight loss journey. And as a vet-founded company, we’d love to work with your dog’s vet if they have any questions too! 

Get started today by telling us some key details about your dog, and we’ll recommend the best portions for their needs.