Signs Your Dog May Be Overweight (and What to Do)
Extra pounds are easy to miss. Learn simple home checks and when to involve your vet.
Extra weight shortens the comfortable, active years of many dogs, and it is easy to miss because it creeps on slowly. Here is how to check at home.
Quick home checks
- You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs under a light layer of fat without pressing hard.
- Looking from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs.
- From the side, the belly should tuck up rather than hang level or sag.
Other warning signs
Tiring quickly on walks, panting more than usual, reluctance to jump or climb stairs and trouble grooming can all be signs of extra weight, though they can also point to other health problems. Mention them to your veterinarian.
What helps
- Ask your vet for a target weight and a daily food amount.
- Measure food with a scale or measuring cup instead of guessing.
- Keep treats to a small share of daily calories, and use pieces of the regular kibble or low-calorie vegetables your vet approves.
- Add gentle exercise and build up slowly.
Weight loss should be gradual. Do not put a dog on a crash diet without veterinary guidance.
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This article is general pet care information and not a substitute for advice from a licensed veterinarian.
