Small and miniature dogs, being little and cute or small and scrappy, are experts at getting the most coddling. They can also excel at eliciting more treats out of their owners. This means that owners have to be on their guard, because small and miniature dogs are just as likely to be overweight or obese as their larger-breed counterparts.

With weight issues tipping the scales as one of Europe's biggest pet problems, and one that's growing, it’s no wonder that vets are getting nervous. After all, canine obesity is a major contributing factor in health problems such as:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Breathing problems
• Shortened life expectancy

Since some small breeds are already prone to respiratory concerns (especially those with shorter noses, such as Pugs), even a little bit of excessive weight can be a cause for concern.

Such serious health risks make it clear that we should help our four-legged friends keep at a healthy weight, but what causes little dogs to gain weight in the first place?

Breed Type

Some small dog breeds are renowned for their propensity to pack on the pounds:

• Cairn Terriers
• Dachshunds
• Scottish Terriers
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Cocker Spaniels

If you have a small dog that's prone to weight gain due to their breed you'll have to be extra-diligent in avoiding excess weight gain.

The right food 

If your dog eats meals that are high in calories, they’re likely to start looking a little overweight after a while, unless they’re a real fitness fanatic. Unfortunately, sporting that chubby look can seriously impact long-term health. For most little dogs, combining calorie-controlled food with regular exercise is a good way to keep fit and healthy.

Portion it out

Portion control can be a big problem when it comes to feeding little dogs. To avoid problems, some people find it helpful to measure out a daily food and snack amount into a separate container each day, and then feed their dog only what’s in the container, nothing more. Some prefer to measure food out at each meal, whereas others find that calorie counting is worth the extra effort .

Whatever your method, controlling the portion of your dog’s daily food intake is important to make sure they are getting just the right amount. Start with the amount listed on the label of your dog’s food, and adjust as needed from there.

Snacks

Pets (and people) gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn. Portion control of main meals is key to avoiding weight gain, but we can't forget about snacks. Small dogs simply need smaller snacks. Find treats for small dogs with low calories, or break larger treats into smaller pieces to satisfy your small friend without piling on the calories.