What is the best way to help my dog loose the extra weight

[KneeKnee]

What is the best way to help my dog loose the extra weight he is packing? I feed him the recomended amount of food (we use the Kirkland/Costco Adult dog formula, it is affordable and doesn't have corn as the first 3 ingredients), do I actually put him on a diet and feed him less or just increase the exercise. His exercise I admit is sporadic as I have three kids and keeping us all outside for extended periods is tough, summer will obviously be a different story, we spend all day outside. We play a lot of intense fetch, walks of course, and when I can get out without the kids we jog. I've heard swimming is great, but of course it is too cold for that right now. He is a large (as in tall and big, not just fat) lab, He does have a fat roll at the base of his tail that he like scratched, which makes me laugh, weighed in at 103 recently. We adopted him about a week ago. Thanks in advance for any input, he is a great addition to our family and we want to keep him happy.

[Cleoppa]

Just like people, I imagine a combination of diet and exercise is best.I've found that the recommended amount on the dog food bag isn't actually enough. Even for my old dog who isn't too active, he needs about twice what is recommended on the bag.Since you only got him a week ago, you don't really know his fat tendencies. Maybe with the amount of exercise and the amount of food he currently gets, he'll lose weight no problem.Keep an eye on him, though. When my dog went on a diet, I think I didn't feed him quite enough and he began to get a bit too skinny. It's difficult to tell where "ideal" is compared to slightly over- or underweight. My vet helped me with that one.Exercise is great for dogs and people. Don't overfeed him, but I doubt you could give him too much exercise.

[jalford12]

Feed him less and exercise him more. Labs should have a padding of fat, but not rolls of it.He's a retriever, built for water. If there is no ice on the water then it will not be too cold for swimming. Start him retrieving sticks or a ball/dummy that floats from water, it will be very good exercise for him.If he looses weight too quickly, feed him a little more. With Labs, it's a juggling act - enough food to provide him with the energy he needs, but not enough to make him fat!

[skipthebuck]

Labradors run to fat very easily, not least because they are eating, pooping machines. He needs about three cups of food per day - no more. It should be a low fat/high protein variety. You can grate carrot and add with cooked brown rice to bulk it out so it fills him more with no extra calories. Lots of fresh water always available to him. You have got to exercise him regularly - strenuously. He will be the best friend you ever had. Enjoy.

[jordie0587]

Decrease intake increase exercise. Yes he needs his food cut back, take it slowly but check the bag and figure out a target weight, if he's very heavy at 103, then 70-80lbs is probably what he SHOULD weigh, slowly decrease the amount until your at the recommended feeding amount for that weight range, and keep it on the low end... If he looks to skinny up it a little, if he's still heavy decrease it some more. I play with my dogs food amounts depending on weather, exercise, and whether they're just looking pudgier or ribby. A little dieting is easier when you measure out the food, I use a half cup scoop and either add or subtract by scoops depending on where I want them. Right now I'm trying to add a few extra lbs for winter, its tough with my dogs though, they're really active. Anyway, diet is more important than exercise even though exercise IS important. Just take it slow and you'll get there, it may take 6months - 1yr, but it will be worth it in the end. You may try getting his thyroid checked, that often has a lot to do with weight so it's worth it to check it out, if it is an issue, no amount of dieting or exercise will really change it.I'm glad you care, so many don't. Thank you for being a good pet owner.

[Devinia]

Same like us...less input more output. Long walks great for bonding too