Vet nurse warns common mistake 'could shorten your dog's life by two years'

A vet nurse has warned dog owners they could be shortening their pet's lifespan if their pooch is overweight. Jade The Vet Nurse, a UK Registered Veterinary Nurse, regularly shares tips for animal lovers on her TikTok page @jade.the.vet.nurs.

In a recent post for her 180k followers, Jade warned: "Overweight dogs live up to 2.5 years less than ideal weight dogs." Keen to help, she then shared four tips owners can use to help their dogs lose weight in one of her videos.

Jade advised: "Feed them based on what they should weigh, not what they currently weigh. Always weigh the food and never eyeball it. Feed them a weight management diet.

"These are generally lower in Kcal but higher in fibre to keep your dog feeling fuller for longer. Provide more exercise! The more they more, the more calories they burn. Ask your vet for exercise advice based on your individual animal.

"Use low calorie treats and don't forget to deduct them from the daily food allowance. Treats should not make up more than 10% of your dogs daily calorie intake."

In her caption, the expert added further advice for concerned pet owners, explaining how your pet's vet is best placed to recommend what they need and how to help them. Jade said: "Always consult with your veterinarian first to rule out any health issues that could be contributing to your dogs weight.

"Many practices offer weight clinics free of charge so contact your regular practice to enquire/book an appointment. Make gradual food changes over 7-10 days to avoid your dog getting an upset tummy. Your dog shouldn't lose more than 1-2% of their body weight per week.

"Be careful your dog doesn't lose too much weight too quickly. Be careful not to over exert your dogs especially in hot weather. Always ask your vet for exercise advice as this is dependent on your individual dogs age, breed and health conditions."

Research from the University of Liverpool and Mars Petcare's WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition found that "the lifespan of dogs that were overweight was up to two and a half years shorter when compared to ideal-weight dogs."

The experts said: "When it comes to healthy weight management, prevention is better than a cure, and to prevent obesity, you need to spot it early.

"Speak to your local vet about your dog's ideal body weight - they can advise you on feeding amounts as they change from pups through to old age. Ensure they get enough exercise - this will depend on their size and breed type.

"Skip the table scraps - not all human food is safe for pets and some can even be deadly. Weigh your dog - even slight increases in weight can have a big impact on their health."