Recent surveys show that the No. 1 preventive health issue in American dogs today is obesity. Managing the weight of our dogs can be just as difficult as managing our own, often because owners don’t recognize or are unable to admit that their pets are overweight.

Fitness is important for people and their dogs, and lack of fitness can lead to a list of medical problems like diabetes, worsening of osteoarthritis and can even be a factor in the development of certain cancers.

The best person to objectively asses your dog is your veterinarian. They weigh your dog every visit and can compare the weight gain between appointments. They can also properly evaluate your dog’s condition comparative to their age, breed, sex (intact vs. altered) and see if any underlying condition is causing the weight gain or weight loss. They can help you determine your dog’s ideal weight and how to get there.

People often use food to bond with their dogs, giving them table scraps or treats as rewards, but many of these are high in sugar or calories. These may seem small, but they often make the difference between a dog maintaining and gaining weight. Try substituting treats for a walk or playing with your pup to show affection.

The AKC offers these tips to help maintain your dog’s weight:

• Read dog food labels. Know the top four ingredients of the food you are giving your dog. Make sure that you know how many calories are in one cup of the food that you are feeding them, and look for low-calorie options.

• Measure your dog’s food. Purchase a separate set or two of measuring cups and spoons specifically for your dog’s food and/or supplements. Several pet food manufacturers provide daily feeding ranges. Most of the time, people aim for the middle or top of the range, but we should be aiming for lower.

• Restrict treats. Either eliminate them altogether or substitute high-fat/calorie treats with things like raw carrots, string beans, blackberries or bananas, all cut into small pieces. If your dog is diabetic, avoid bananas, as they are high in sugar.

• Increase fiber. Canned pumpkin is a great starting point to introduce fiber into your dog’s diet. Start off with a small amount for small dogs and work your way up to a tablespoon; for bigger dogs try to work up to 2 tablespoons per day. You don’t want to give them too much, because that can cause diarrhea.

• Increase physical activity. Start by slowly increasing your dog’s physical activity, and increase your minutes every week. Try for 15-minute power walks five days a week — chances are your dog will look and feel better, and you will too! Walking is the most recommended form of exercise by physicians and veterinarians, and improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy and reduces stress.