How to identify your dog’s condition according to weight?

Diagnosing obesity includes weighing the dog and an evaluation of his/her general health. A vet will check the dog, feel his/her ribs, spine, head and the tail. Afterwards, the results are compared to the breed standard.

1. Very underweight. The dog weighs 20% less than the norm. Spine, ribs, pelvic bones (in short-haired dogs) are clearly visible. Lacking muscle mass. No fat in the chest area. ⠀

2. Underweight. A dog that weighs 10–20% less than the norm. Ribs, pelvic bones, vertebrae are visible. A defined waist, no fat in the chest area. ⠀

3. Ideal weight. Ribs are not visible, but are easily found by touch. Visible waist. A thin layer of fat in the chest area. ⠀

4. Overweight. A dog that weighs 10–20% more than the norm. Ribs and vertebrae can be barely found by touch. The waist is not visible. Visible build-ups of fat along the spine and close to the base of the tail. ⠀

5. Obesity. The weight is 40% more than the norm. Very visible fat build-ups in the chest area, along the spine and at the base of the tail. The belly is hanging.

Obesity in dogs

Dogs that eat too much and move too little are more susceptible to obesity than others.

Symptoms of canine obesity:

🔸Excessive body fat

🔸Increased body mass

🔸Low physical activity (a dog doesn’t want to or can’t move actively)

🔸Shortness of breath

How to help a dog battle obesity? ⠀

The main measure used in treatment of obesity in dogs is losing weight.

1. Creating a balanced diet considering the dog’s individual needs. A formula that helps to understand the proper calorie intake in order to maintain a healthy weight: MER (Kcal) = (body weight — kg) х 132 х 0,75 Kcal per day. So, if a dog weighs 15 kg, then the proper calorie amount per day is 937 Kcal. However, keep in mind that this calculation is only approximate: the metabolism of every dog is unique. ⠀

2. Eliminating everything sweet, fat and containing flour. ⠀

3. Cutting down on grains. ⠀

4. Decreasing food intake. By decreasing a dog’s food consumption by 20–25%, it is possible to reach a weight loss of 1–2% of the body mass a week.

5. If your dog is fed dry food, choose one that is low-fat and low-protein. ⠀

6. Slowly increasing physical activity. Start with long relaxed walks, and increase their duration and intensity according to your dog’s condition.

7. Adding exercises to your daily activities. Just like for humans, regular exercises are very beneficial for dogs’ physical condition. You can find many useful ideas for exercises online.