A new year, a new you! Who else is ready to leave 2020 behind and start a new, uh, more enjoyable era? If you’re motivated to lose weight this year, we’ve got some tips to help you get started. As you may know, dogs can help us make friends, develop healthy routines, and even feel more loved and happy. But if you’re wondering how to lose weight and keep it off, did you know that a dog may be able to help with that too? Inspired by success stories like the one we mention at the end of this article, we’re happy to bring you 5 tips for losing weight with the help of your dog.
Considering getting a dog?
Whether or not you already have a dog, you’re in the right place: this article contains tips that will help you find success on your weight loss journey. However if you don’t have a dog yet, you may want to check out these articles as well:
- How to adopt a dog: our tips for success
- First time dog parent? Here’s what you need to know
- Puppy or adult dog? Find out which dog is right for you!
So without further ado, here are our top 5 tips for how to lose weight with your furry friend’s support. Especially if you have an overweight dog, put these tips into practice for optimal results for both canine and human 
Note: we are not medical experts; we’re dog lovers! If you’re unsure, check with your doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
1) Eat regularly throughout the day
For the best health and weight loss results, experts recommend to eat at regular intervals, which can help you to burn calories faster1. In fact, eating more than 3 times per day may support a healthy weight2. Plus, eating regularly will help you to curb your cravings for not-so-healthy options.
Just like your dog should eat at regular intervals, you should also try to eat several times throughout the day.
Not sure how much food your dog should eat at mealtime? Get our guide for how much (and how often) to feed your dog in a day.
2) Get active together
The biggest tip for how to lose weight with your dog? Get active! Dogs naturally help us get more physically active – as they require, at a minimum, daily walking (find out how much you should walk your dog here). If you’re not already doing so, start incorporating healthy dog walks into your daily schedule.
Whether walking, running, or doing any other physical activity together, remember to go at your own – and your dog’s – pace. Don’t be afraid to jog a mile, and then walk a mile. Running together with your dog must be something you both enjoy. Careful not to wear your dog out.
Some dogs, like those which are flat-faced, may experience difficulty breathing when doing exercise3. Proceed with caution – consult your veterinarian before engaging in heavier exercise activities with your dog.
You may want to try the following activities with your dog to burn calories, have fun, and work up a healthy sweat together (with the okay from your vet of course):
