An overweight dog has a significantly less chance of living a long and healthy life. But if you do have a chubby puppy, there are a number of simple and stress-free steps you can take to put things right.

Just like people, dogs can quickly put on a few unwanted kilograms, especially as they get older and exercise less. In fact, an estimated 25 per cent of all dogs are overweight - and most owners don't even realise it until they take their pets to the vet for a related illness.

Overweight and obese dogs are much more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory conditions, arthritis and even behavioural problems. So it's easy to see why monitoring your dog's weight carefully is so important.

It's not always easy to tell if your dog is putting on weight, especially when it happens on a gradual basis. Regular assessment by your vet is best, but you can weigh your dog at home by first weighing yourself, then picking up your dog - size permitting! - and getting back on the scales to calculate the difference.

In order to get rid of any excess flab, you need to increase the amount of energy used (exercise more) and reduce the amount of energy consumed (feed your dog less calories).

Generally speaking, your dog is overweight if its ribs are hard to feel under a covering of fat and its waist is not clearly visible from above.

To help your dog lose weight, start by reducing the size of main meals by about 10 to 15 per cent for two weeks. Divide the food into smaller portions to reduce the length of time your dog goes without food, as well as to keep track of exactly what you're feeding.

It's a good idea to measure the amount of food that's put into your dog's dish, to prevent the serving size from increasing over time. Remember that the suggested serving on the pack is a guideline based on average dogs. An individual dog may need less, or more, than the average amount.

After a fortnight, check your dog's weight again and continue the diet until an ideal weight is reached. It can take months to reverse significant weight gains, so be patient. Once you've succeeded, you may want to slightly adjust feeding quantities to stabilise your dog's weight.

Never starve your dog in an attempt to lose weight quickly. It is not safe to reduce food intake by more than 15 per cent, as your dog won't get the right balance of essential minerals and vitamins and could run the risk becoming seriously ill.

You may also want to consider switching to a specially formulated ' weight management' dog food. These diets are less concentrated, with a lower fat content, so you don't need to cut down on the actual amount you feed. They also mean you can be sure your dog continues to get all the right minerals and vitamins in the correct proportions.

Once back to an ideal weight you can return to a standard adult recipe, although it's quite safe to stay on a light diet throughout your dog's adult years. Weight management foods are also ideal for less active dogs that don't need as much energy from their food.

To encourage weight loss, try to cut back on doggy snacks and treats. You don't have to stop treating altogether, but choose a low-fat option.

If you do treat, remember to reduce the amount of food you feed your dog that day to compensate, always following packaging guidelines regarding the maximum daily number of treats.

Also, keep your dog out of the kitchen (particularly when you're cooking) and dining room, away from temptation.

Increasing the amount of exercise your dog receives is simple and can help burn off those excess kilos. Adding an extra 10-minute walk or 20 minutes of playtime each day not only has the additional benefit of increasing the amount of time you spend with your dog, but can be just as good a workout for you as your pet!

Make sure the type of exercise is vigorous and your dog's heart rate goes up. But be careful not to do this on very hot days or you may risk heatstroke.

It's always a good idea to consult your vet before putting your dog on a weight-loss programme. As well as helping you develop an individual weight-loss regime for your pet, your vet will also be able to track progress and provide ongoing support.

Weight loss should be gradual - over about three to four months - and may in some cases take up to a year. If weight is lost too fast, your dog will probably just put it back on, so be patient.

You can also make your dog work for his food or treats by scattering them around your garden or house (this only works with dry kibble or treats) or using a treat ball. This will help burn off calories and keep his mind occupied. In the wild dogs would have to spend hours finding food.