This post is sponsored by Hill’s. My GBGV Life is being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but My GBGV Life only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
One of the best ways to lose weight, and maintain the weight loss is consistency. Nearly 50% of pets are overweight in the US. By staying on a consistent schedule, everyone knows what to expect, when to expect it, and nothing is overlooked or doubled up which helps a dog lose and then maintain a perfect weight. Hill’s® Science Diet® has a great online tool to help you determine if your pet is overweight.
In a recent post, I shared a sample of the daily schedule at our house. Of course, life happens and we don’t hold our schedule down to the minute every day, but we do consistently do the same things at about the same time almost every day of the week. Keeping track of your own activities on a calendar such as the 10 Week Turnaround Calender can be a helpful tool.
One key component to health is good rest. It may seem foolish as we dogs nap a lot, but we like to have a set bed and wake up time. If Mom is busy in the evening, we often go up to bed on our own when it is bedtime. We also like to get up around the same time every day.
Quality food, such as the Perfect Weight Formula, in the correct amount is very important for your dog! Never free feed a dog! Always measure out the correct amount of food for your dog and put it in their bowl. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, check with the feeding instructions on the bag or ask your veterinarian. Test the amount on your pet. If your dog is extremely active, he may need a bit more food, less active dogs may need slightly less. Don’t simply guess, measure it out. Use a measuring cup, not just a scoop.
Stick to your exercise routine every day! We know when we are due for a walk, run, tracking, or nose work and we expect it. Staying active will keep your pup happier and healthier, not to mention aid in weight loss! Don’t let excuses get in the way! If you always walk in the morning but the weather is bad, go for a walk, but maybe cut it short. Remember to keep your dog mentally fit as well. Add some indoor games for mental stimulation if the weather is bad. You and your dog will both be better off by staying on track!
Always remember, weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. Healthy dog weight loss takes time and effort! 70% of dogs and cats who used Science Diet Perfect Weight lost weight within the first ten weeks.
For those who would like a bit of help kick starting their dog’s weight loss, Hill’s Science Diet has a sweepstakes going on where you can enter to win 10 Weeks of Perfect Weight! What are you waiting for? Enter the sweepstakes today to win and get your 10 Week Turnaround started!
Consistency is so important I agree. I think I need to use your tips for myself too! hahaha!!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
My mom is an organize freak, so everything she and we do is pretty much set.
Haha! I am an organize freak as well.
Most of the time it is a good trait, but sometimes it can present challenges as well.
Very good information, Emma! Are sleeping with a bunny?! LOL!
That is Bunny. Both Bailie and I have a stuffed wabbit in our beds upstairs to sleep with at night. They are the only bunnies we don’t want to ever hurt.
we will work together on that plan…. my mom looks for a regular bed time (UH!) and I remind her when it is time for my walk with wild barking… seems we are a super team, huh?
We have a good schedule, but we often need to get Mom away from the computer for our later walk. She keeps saying just a minute and time flies, then just a minute. We have to get tough and say now is the time.
I know that minutes… sometimes it’s getting dark outside within one of HER “minutes”….
Mom clocks are always off.
We try to be as consistent as possible as well. I love that you go up to bed on your own sometimes, our crew does the same! Though sometimes they’ll come back down looking for us as if to remind us it’s bedtime.
My mom is a planner, so consistent and planned is simply in her DNA which makes it easy.
You are so right Emma. Consistency is the name of the game around here too.
Mom says if you skip something once, it makes it easier to skip again and before you know it, you aren’t doing it at all, so we stay consistent.
Love the photo of you in bed! <3
My dogs do the same. If I'm up and about late in the evening they still go to bed. Bonnie takes the opportunity to hog my pillows, LOL!
We hop in our dog beds next to the bed and when Mom comes up, Bailie gets into the bed. I like my own spot in my bed on the floor.
You are so right about consistency! Not sure Miley would be doing so well on her weight loss if we didn’t have a schedule. Great post and as always great pics!!
Thank you. It is just nice to know what is next, and bodies actually run better on a schedule.
Well, I never thought I wanted to get matching sleep masks for my dogs and I, but I just discovered I do.
Please post photos when you do. I bet Penny would like a real frilly, fancy one.
Great post. Being at an ideal weight is important for our canine friends. And, I shall have my bragging rights, my two are.
sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com
All three of us are fit as well. It is not really hard at all. We have our fitness routines and our food schedules and we have all been at our current adult weights since we finished the puppy stage.
Very true, but at least I’m consistently inconsistent!
Well, there you have it. Consistent.
What great advice Emma! We are all about our schedule too…we wake up, eat and go to bed around the same time!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Isn’t it nice having a routine? Makes life much easier.
Emma! Rest is so important! We know you, your sisters, and Mom are very active and always keep us in check with our exercise! Good job!
We really work and play hard, but boy do we sleep hard as well. Sometimes when I’m real tired, I snore like an old man!
I enjoyed your last post where you shared your daily schedule. It actually motivated me to move Ace’s walk to first thing in the morning at 5:30. I love our new routine, and it’s a peaceful start to my day. Plus, Ace and I feel productive right away!
Our favorite thing about working out right away in the morning is by lunchtime, you don’t even remember doing it and all the other folks are talking about having to work out after work, etc. It gets our bodies and brains going for the day. So happy it works for you too!
Emma, your photo with the bunny and mask has got to be the sweetest photo ever! You are right – routines are so important. We have one but it doesn’t start that early….
I would guess with Jax around you meant to say you had a routine 😉 I’m sure you all are settling into a new routine which will slowly evolve into the old routine as he grows up. All our plans went out the window the day Bailie arrived but we are back to our old schedule now.
Great blog post on how important consistency is Emma!! Way to go on keeping it real and keeping everyone on their toes about how important it is. We feel exactly the same way! Great photos too.
Your fellow consistency police dog…Pixel
Hi Pixel. Hope you are feeling better. I know you all have a good routine at your house. It is so important!
Excellent tips. We always measure out the food.
Many people just use a scoop and guestimate which is not good.
LOVE that photo in the bed! Rest is so important; we often forget about that. Good rest, loads of exercise and not too many extra treats are key to good health, for both 2 and 4 legged creatures. 🙂
Lack of good rest can be real bad, so we try to get a good sleep in every night.
This is a very good message Emma thank you. Mom is working hard on consistency with Rhette and we agree that this is very good food. Love Dolly
Trust me! I know how difficult cats can be!
Great post, love your eyemask
With all the daylight this time of year, a girl needs to create her own darkness for snoozing.