Determining the ideal weight for your pet should be done by considering their current weight and Body Condition Score (BCS). The recommended daily food intake is based on achieving and maintaining this ideal weight. Keep in mind that the initial ration may require adjustments during follow-up visits to ensure continued progress.
In most cases, a realistic goal is to aim for a gradual weight loss of 1-3% of the body weight per week over the first three months and 0.5-2% thereafter.
Once your pet has reached their ideal or target weight, it's important to understand that the energy requirements to maintain that weight are lower than those for dogs that have never been obese. Therefore, it's generally advisable to continue feeding the weight loss diet even after reaching the ideal weight. To maintain the ideal weight, you can gradually increase the daily food intake until the weight stabilizes.
Maintenance rations may still need to be adjusted on an individual basis. If your dog regains more than 5% of their body weight, it's a signal to decrease the ratio back to weight loss levels.
For accurate portion control, using a digital food scale to measure the daily food allowance is highly recommended. Additionally, dividing the daily food intake into a minimum of two meals throughout the day can help manage your pet's weight more effectively.
