It is not only easy for us to become overweight, unfortunately this also applies to our dogs. A sedentary lifestyle and a climate that is not always conducive to outdoor activities can result in weight gain for our dogs. Being obese for a long period of time predisposes your dog to joint disease, respiratory disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, skin diseases, cancers and heart problems. How do I know if my dog is overweight?
You can't always tell if a dog is overweight just by looking at the dog. You really need to grab the dog and feel the ribs, shoulders, hips and spine. This is especially true for dogs with thick, soft coats; their fur can easily hide their true "figure". The easiest way to assess your dog's weight is with a rib check. When you put your hands on your dog's side, you should be able to feel his/her ribs easily – you shouldn't have to search. In a side view you should be able to see his/her waist clearly and if you look at your dog from top to bottom you will see an hourglass figure.
Can you feel your dog's ribs easily?
Can you feel the top of your dog's shoulder blades?
See your dog's last rib?
Can you see your dog's spine feel but not see?
Can you feel your dog's hips but not see them?
Does your dog have an hourglass figure?
Does your dog have a waist when looking at the side view?
If you answered "no" to more than one of the questions, your dog should probably lose some weight.
