A recent study found that about 44% of dogs are overweight in the nation. There has also been a big push for people to stay in shape as it is reported that about 67% of adults are heavier than they should be. You probably know the benefits of eating well, exercising, and keeping weight down for yourself, but did you know the benefits it has for your dog as well?

Dogs who stay trim are at less risk for diabetes, joint pain, and heart disease. A dog that is kept at its ideal weight also has an easier time breathing, more stamina, and can live longer.

Here’s a few tips to keep your dog slim:

1: No more table scraps! Resist the sad puppy dog eyes. RESIST!
2: Limit treats as they tend to have higher fat content than their regular food.
3: Switch their food to one that is lower in fat. Use a higher quality food that has less fillers. If you cook for your dog, make sure the diet is balanced.
4: Exercise! Exercise! Exercise! This is the most important tip. Walk your dog everyday and increase the length of time and distance over time. It’ll help your dog and you shed weight. If you have a fenced yard, spend some time playing fetch or other games your dog enjoys.

Exercising your dog also improves their behavior, as a tired dog is a well-behaved dog. They are just too tuckered out to cause mayhem!

Making time to do these things may be tough but you’ll enjoy the benefits too as it’ll help decrease your own blood pressure, moods, and you may shed a few pounds too if you have been looking to drop that winter weight. You don’t have to jog or run with your dog. Walking can be enough exercise as long as it is at least twice a day.

When I walk a dog I plan to be out for at least half an hour because I’ll walk a bit, then stop and sit somewhere like an outdoor cafe or a park bench, and then walk home. This gives us both a break and helps me assess if it is time to walk home or if we should walk a little more. It’s also a good way to just relax, not be connected to email, phone calls, and a point in the day where I don’t think about the things that are stressing me out. Pets can be a great way to remind us that we all need to take a break and just be.

So walk your dog! Enjoy some fresh air!