SarPet
Why It Matters
Excess weight is one of the most common yet most overlooked health issues in dogs.
What You'll Do
- Weigh in weekly to track progress
- Set accurate portions with a kitchen scale
- Increase walk time gradually
- Count treats toward the daily portion
Important: Always confirm the portion size and target weight with your vet.
Day-by-day program
Week 1
Days 1–7
Starting Measurement
Before you begin, measure and record exactly how much food you're currently giving your dog each day. This number becomes the baseline for every portion change ahead.
- Measure the current food amountFood
Tracking Log
Set up a simple log for weight, portions, and walk time. This log is how you'll see progress over the coming weeks.
- Start a weight-tracking log
Target Portion
Use a kitchen scale to measure the target portion your vet recommended. Guessing by eye throws off the whole plan from day one.
- Set the target portion with a kitchen scaleFood
Extend the Walk
From today, add 10 minutes to the daily walk. Even a small increase noticeably raises total activity.
- Add 10 minutes to the daily walkWalk
No Table Scraps
Cut out table scraps and under-the-table snacking entirely. These extras sit outside the daily portion count but add up more than they seem to.
- Cut table scraps from the bowl completely
Fresh Water Check
Check the water bowl, wash it if needed, and refill with fresh water. As activity increases, water needs can shift too.
- Check fresh water accessWater
Week 1 Weigh-In
At the end of the first week, weigh your dog and record the result in your log. This first measurement becomes the reference point for every comparison ahead.
- Do the week-1 weigh-inWeight
Week 2
Days 8–14
Fixed Meal Times
Lock meals into set times of day. A regular schedule makes portion control easier and cuts down on begging.
- Split meals into fixed timesFood
Household Briefing
Tell everyone at home not to give extra food or snacks. The plan only works if everyone follows the same rule.
- Tell household members not to feed extra
Add a Slope
Add a gentle slope to the walking route. A small increase in difficulty raises the energy burned.
- Add a gentle slope to the walking routeWalk
Count Treats In
Deduct any treats you give from the total daily portion. Treats count toward the total and shouldn't be extra.
- Deduct treats from the daily portionFood
Vegetable Treats
Try low-calorie vegetable pieces as treats for a day. Options like carrot or cucumber can give the same reward feeling for fewer calories.
- Try a vegetable-based treat alternative
Longer Evening Walk
Extend the evening walk to 20 minutes. Activity later in the day supports the overall energy balance.
- Extend the evening walk to 20 minutesWalk
Week 2 Weigh-In
Weigh again at the end of week two and compare with week one. The difference shows whether the portion and activity plan is working.
- Do the week-2 weigh-inWeight
Week 3
Days 15–21
Body Condition Check
Gently place your hand on your dog's ribcage and feel whether the ribs are easy to find. This simple check helps you track progress beyond the scale.
- Do a visual body-condition check
Review the Portion
Look at the first two weeks' weigh-in results and assess whether the portion is working. If needed, discuss a small adjustment with your vet.
- Review portions based on the first two weeksFood
Second Short Walk
Add a short second walk to the week alongside the main one. Splitting the day increases total activity without overtiring your dog.
- Add a second short walk to the weekWalk
Watch Water Intake
With longer walks, notice how much water your dog drinks. Water needs can shift as activity increases.
- Watch water intake after exerciseWater
Mark the Trend
Open your weight log and mark the trend across the weekly weigh-ins. The direction of the curve matters more than any single number.
- Mark the trend in the weight log
Pick Up the Pace
Walk a bit faster today. Covering the same time at a quicker pace burns more energy.
- Pick up the walking paceWalk
Week 3 Weigh-In
Weigh at the end of week three and compare with the previous two weeks. Three weeks of data starts to make the trend clear.
- Do the week-3 weigh-inWeight
Week 4
Days 22–28
Add Playtime
Add a short play session to the day alongside the walk. Games like fetch or tug help burn extra calories.
- Add playtime to the day
Slow-Feed Bowl
Serve today's food in a slow-feed bowl. A slower eating pace eases digestion and boosts the feeling of fullness.
- Try a slow-feed bowlFood
New Route
Walk somewhere different from the usual route today. New smells and sights tire your dog mentally too, adding to overall energy use.
- Explore a different walking routeWalk
Log Treat Amounts
Write down every treat you give today, with the amount. A written record stops you from overdoing it without noticing.
- Log the exact treat amount
Even Out Meal Gaps
Keep the time between meals as even as possible. Regular spacing balances hunger and reduces begging.
- Even out the meal intervalsFood
Add Stairs
Add a short set of stairs to the walk. Stairs work different muscles than flat ground and raise energy use.
- Add stairs to the walkWalk
Week 4 Weigh-In
Weigh at the end of week four. A full month of data gives a clear picture of how the program is going.
- Do the week-4 weigh-inWeight
Week 5
Days 29–35
Review Four Weeks
Read through your log from the start and look at four weeks of portions, walks, and weigh-ins together. This is how you spot what's actually working.
- Review four weeks of the log
Adjust the Portion
Check whether the latest weigh-in calls for a small portion adjustment. Talk to your vet before making any change.
- Adjust the portion based on the latest weigh-inFood
30-Minute Walk
Walk 30 minutes in one go today. An uninterrupted longer walk builds stamina differently than several short ones.
- Walk 30 minutes in one sessionWalk
Watch for a Plateau
Weight change can slow down in some weeks, and that's normal. Keeping the portion and activity steady and waiting for the next weigh-in is usually enough.
- Watch for a weight plateau
Water Breaks in Heat
Add more water breaks during walks in the hot hours. Combined with more activity, heat raises water needs further.
- Add more water breaks in hot hoursWater
Extend the Second Walk
Stretch the second short walk you've been adding to 20 minutes too. Now both walks of the day run about the same length.
- Extend the second walk to 20 minutesWalk
Week 5 Weigh-In
Weigh at the end of week five and plot the result. Five weeks of data should now show a clear direction.
- Do the week-5 weigh-inWeight
Week 6
Days 36–42
Mental Game
Add a mental-stimulation game today alongside the walk. Scent games or a simple puzzle add mental tiredness on top of physical.
- Add a mental-stimulation game
Cut Treats Further
Reduce the treat amount a bit more from today. Cutting habitual treats gradually keeps it sustainable without confusing your dog.
- Cut the treat amount furtherFood
Brisk Intervals
Add short brisk intervals to the walk: a few minutes normal pace, then a few minutes faster. This variation raises the heart rate more.
- Add short brisk intervals to the walkWalk
Obstacle Course
Set up a small obstacle course at home with simple household items. Crawling under or jumping over things adds a different kind of movement to the routine.
- Set up an indoor obstacle course
Scent Game
Instead of putting all of today's meal in the bowl, hide part of it around the house for your dog to find. Searching also slows down eating.
- Play a scent-search game with the foodFood
Extend the Walk to 35 Minutes
Stretch the main walk to 35 minutes. Duration keeps climbing gradually as the program progresses.
- Extend the walk to 35 minutesWalk
Week 6 Weigh-In
Weigh at the end of week six. You're two-thirds through the program, so compare results with previous weeks.
- Do the week-6 weigh-inWeight
Week 7
Days 43–49
Recheck Body Condition
Repeat the earlier body-condition check and compare it with your first notes. Feeling the change by hand adds another layer of confirmation beyond the scale.
- Recheck the body condition
Fine-Tune the Portion
Based on the condition check and weigh-ins, see if the portion needs a small fine-tune. Confirm any change with your vet.
- Fine-tune the portion from the recheckFood
Different Surface
Walk on a different surface today, like grass, sand, or dirt. Changing the surface works different muscles and makes the walk more demanding.
- Walk on a different surfaceWalk
Bowl Hygiene
Thoroughly wash the food and water bowls and check for cracks or wear. Clean bowls matter for both health and appetite.
- Wash and check the food and water bowls
40-Minute Walk
Extend today's main walk to 40 minutes in one session. This is the longest uninterrupted walk you've reached in the program so far.
- Extend the walk to 40 minutes in one goWalk
Treat Variety
Review the variety of treats you've given this week. Instead of repeating the same one, rotate between a few low-calorie options.
- Review treat variety
Week 7 Weigh-In
Weigh at the end of week seven. As you approach the end of the program, this measurement lays the groundwork for the final plan.
- Do the week-7 weigh-inWeight
Week 8
Days 50–56
Compare Eight Weeks
Open your log from the very start and compare week one with today. Seeing the full eight-week picture is the clearest guide for the plan ahead.
- Compare eight weeks of the log
Set the Long-Term Portion
Based on eight weeks of data and your vet's input, settle on the portion you'll use going forward. This becomes the fixed point of the daily routine.
- Set the long-term portion amountFood
Write a Walk Plan
Write a walking plan for the weeks ahead: how many walks, how long, how often. A written plan helps lock in the gains from the program.
- Write next month's walk planWalk
Vet Check-Up
As the program nears its end, book a check-up with your vet. Review the eight weeks together and ask about the next step.
- Book a vet check-up
Lock In the Food Amount
Make the long-term food amount you agreed on with your vet part of the fixed routine now. This amount is the foundation for keeping the weight steady.
- Lock in the long-term food amountFood
Sustainable Routine
Bring walking, portions, and water tracking together into one daily routine. The simpler the routine, the more likely it sticks.
- Build a sustainable daily routine
Final Weigh-In
On the last day of the program, do the final weigh-in and record the eight-week result in your log. From here, it's about keeping up the routine you've built.
- Do the week-8 final weigh-inWeight
This guide is for information only and does not replace a veterinary exam.
