Intermittent Fasting for Dogs: A Holistic Guide to Obesity and Wellness | Srirangavn

Sriranga VN
Jul 31
2 min read

🐶🥣 “Wait Before You Plate!” – Intermittent Fasting for Dogs, Especially the Pudgy Ones

The Srirangavn Way to Reset, Reboot, and Rejoice in Wellness

Let’s face it — we humans aren’t the only ones carrying post-pandemic weight. Our dogs, too, have been sneaking in those extra calories — one dropped dosa corner, one guilt-offering biscuit, one loving handful of rice and ghee at a time.

Meet Simba. Not the lion, but your neighbour’s Lab who waddles more than he walks. His vet frowns, your heart melts, and Simba pants on.

Now, imagine if Simba skipped one meal a day. Not out of punishment. Not out of negligence. But out of wisdom.

Ancient, time-tested, gut-healing, immunity-boosting, life-extending wisdom. That’s intermittent fasting — and yes, it’s safe, even for dogs.

🕉️🐕 What Is Intermittent Fasting for Dogs?

In simple terms? It’s giving the gut a break. Instead of free-feeding all day or sticking to rigid routines, we fast dogs for 12–16 hours, letting their systems reset. It mimics their natural ancestral pattern — hunt, eat, rest, digest.

✅ Especially Useful For:

Overweight dogs (like our friend Simba)
Dogs with sluggish digestion
Dogs prone to skin allergies
Older dogs needing a metabolic reset

🧘🏽‍♂️ The Holistic Benefits:

Improved gut microbiome
Reduced inflammation
Better weight management
Boosted immune response
Calmer behavioral patterns
Longer lifespan (yes, really!)

🥣 How To Do It — The Srirangavn Way:

🌅 Early Dinner feed by 6 or 7 pm — a nutritious, light meal.

🌄 Skip Breakfast

Occasionally Let the tummy rest till late morning or early noon next day. Offer water, and maybe a spoon of warm ghee if the dog is fine with it.

📅 Try Twice a Week Don’t go overboard. Try twice weekly at first. Watch, observe, adapt.

🐾 Always Listen to Your Dog Senior dogs? Puppies? Ill dogs? Fasting needs adjustments. Always consult your vet and your own intuitive sense.

🙃 Wait… Won’t My Dog Get Hungry?

You may get those classic eyes:“How could you?”“You forgot my breakfast?”“Is this because I chewed your chappal?”

But the body will thank you. The coat will shine. The digestion will cheer. And yes — your chappals may still be chewed, but your dog will be healthier while doing it.