Overfeeding in dogs (and humans for that matter!) is the main driver of disease. Cancer, heart disease, dementia and diabetes are all related to metabolic health and body composition. If you want to keep your pup disease free and spry for as long as possible, you want to keep them pretty lean. One controlled study on 48 labs showed that dogs that were fed 25% less lived significantly longer.

It’s not always straight forward. Some dogs are just heavier set than others, even on limited diets. Other dogs always look and act hungry. For healthier pups, limit their caloric consumption as best as you can. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should starve them. Feed on the lower side of their caloric guidelines and weigh them regularly. They’ll be happier in the long run when they are in good health as they get older. Check in with your vet regularly to make sure your pup is at a healthy weight!