Being overweight is just as dangerous for your dog as it is for you. We know the risks of being overweight, but did you know that many of the risks to overweight humans are the same for overweight pets? If your dog needs to shed a few pounds, this homemade weight loss dog food may help.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, about 54% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This equals about 41.9 million dogs in this country alone that need to lose weight.
New data released from Nationwide – the largest provider of health insurance for pets in the United States – shows that more than $50 million in pet insurance claims were filed in 2014 for diseases and health conditions related to pet obesity. That is a 10 percent growth since 2012!
Their findings were based on their database of more than 550,000 insured pets. They also released details on the top 10 canine obesity-related conditions in 2014, which were (in order):
- Arthritis
- Bladder problems/UTI
- Low Thyroid Hormone Production
- Liver Disease
- Torn Ligaments in the Knee
- Diabetes
- Diseased Disc in the Spine
- Fatty Growth
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Heart Failure
The moral of this story is that an overweight dog is an unhealthy dog. If you want your pet to live the longest, healthiest life possible, you need to help him shed the extra weight. Ask your veterinarian if this homemade weight loss dog food would be a good solution for your dog's weight problems.
MORE INFORMATION: Dog Gut Microbiome Study – What Causes Obesity In Dogs?
Homemade Weight Loss Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds whole wheat macaroni
- 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1 pound ground beef (at least 90% lean)
- 1/2 pound chicken liver
- 1/2 pound beef heart
- 1 egg white
- 3.5 ounces sardines in water
- 1 pound broccoli
- 6,000 mg calcium
- 1 tsp. kelp meal
- 200 IUs Vitamin E (about 10 drops)
Directions
When your dog eats more calories in a day than he burns, it leads to weight gain. That's common sense, right? The reason I mention this is because you may just need to adjust the portions you're serving your pooch or increase the amount of exercise he gets each day. You can use commercial weight loss dog foods, but homemade recipes are just as good (if not better in some instances).
Before you switch your dog to a homemade weight loss dog food, consult your vet. They can help you decide whether a change in diet is needed or it's just a matter of portion control and an extra walk in the evening.
There are about 4200 kcal in this recipe, and it has 24 grams of fat per 1000 kcal. Keep in mind that the serving sizes below are only an estimation. Your veterinarian can help you decide the proper serving size for your pet, as age, weight, activity level and metabolism are all factors in figuring out the right amount to feed your pet each day.
Serving 
sizes per day are as follows:
- 175 kcal for a 5-pound dog
- 600 kcal for a 25-pound dog
- 1000 kcal for a 50-pound dog
- 1700 kcal for a 100-pound dog
Making this homemade weight loss dog food is pretty simple. Start by boiling the macaroni according to the instructions on the package. You'll also need to chop and boil the broccoli. While that's cooking, cut the chicken thighs, chicken livers and beef heart into bite sized pieces for your pet.
Add the chopped protein sources to a large skillet with the ground beef. Cook on medium heat until all the meat is thoroughly cooked. When the meat is completely cooked, add the egg white to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until the egg white is cooked through.
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cooked protein sources, sardines, cooked broccoli, calcium, kelp meal and vitamin E. Stir until all of the ingredients are equally mixed.
Store the leftover homemade weight loss dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also make this food in bulk quantities and freeze it for up to 3 months.
READ NEXT: Ask A Vet – How To Put An Overweight Dog On A Diet
