As humans, we tend to have a bit of a skewed view when it comes to our pets. We find them incredibly cute, even when one of their ears might be a bit lopsided. We find their slipper chewing habit annoying, but still adorable. And we may even tend to find their chubbiness cute.
However, canine obesity is no laughing matter, and pups who put on even as little as a few extra pounds can suffer serious health complications, and their quality of life may begin to suffer as well.
In fact, studies have shown that overweight dogs die sooner, so you might want to reconsider your attitude to your dog’s (excess) weight, and ensure that they remain fit, healthy and happy for a long time to come.
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How Do I Know if My Dog is Obese?
How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight
When you see someone every day, fluctuations in their weight might be less obvious, unless they put on or lose quite a lot of weight in a very short span of time.
However, there are several ways to check if your dog is in fact fit, a bit overweight, or even outright obese. Here they all are, in no particular order:
Check Their Body Shape from the Top
Even though you should never judge a book by its cover, simply taking a look at your dog can often tell you if they are overweight or not.
Look at them from above, while they are standing. If they are a bit on the round side and are kind of oval-shaped, they might have put on some weight. They should have a clearly defined waist near the rear of their body, and they should also have rather straight sides. If they are a bit bulging, that’s like an excess of fat.
And From the Side
You can also give your pup a long, hard look from the side to determine whether they are overweight. Their bellies and waist should not be sagging. Their waist should be slightly raised and appear to be quite tight.
The belly should actually be slightly tucked up and higher than the chest, so if you notice it’s starting to protrude and sag, changes in their diet and extra exercise might be in order.
Feel Their Ribs
One of the best ways to tell if a dog is obese or not is to feel their ribs. If you can feel them easily, without having to press too hard, your dog is fit. Overweight dogs accumulate a lot of fat around their sides and rib cage, so the fat prevents you from actually feeling the ribs.
On the other hand, you don’t want your dog’s ribs to be too prominent, as that may be a sign they are underweight. You are looking for a happy medium, in short. Also bear in mind that some breeds have more prominent ribs than others, so take that fact into consideration as well.
Check Them for Fat Pads
The good thing about excess weight is that it simply has to show up somewhere. Your dog can’t possibly be overweight without actually storing said weight on their body, and you should be able to find these fat pads rather easily.
While giving your dog a brush or a cuddle, make sure to feel all over their body. Focus on the area around their legs and hips, and see if you can feel any deposits of fat there. The area around their chest we’ve already discussed, so make sure you give them a good once-over and spot any excess fat pockets.
Consider Their Recent Behavior
Dogs who are overweight and obese are often inactive and sluggish. They no longer follow you around everywhere, they tend to walk slower than usual, are less likely to burst into a run, and they may also try to avoid playtime.
If your once playful pup is turning into a bit of a couch potato, they may be overweight (or may suffer from other health conditions, so make sure you take them to your vet for a checkup). Trouble breathing while on a walk can also be a tell-tale sign of obesity.
If your dog has always been a bit of a lazy bag, don’t immediately jump to the conclusion they are overweight. It might just be their nature. Look for other signs of obesity before you make any specific lifestyle changes.
Put Them on the Scale
The absolute most fool-proof way to tell if your dog is overweight is of course to weigh them. You can do it yourself, or you can take them to your vet. It would also be good to know what your dog used to weigh, so regular weigh-ins can help you keep track of their weight more accurately, and make spotting any excess buildup of fat easier.
Do bear in mind that the number on the scale is only a number, and that a dog’s health is determined by other factors as well.
Your vet will be able to provide the most precise information. As every breed is different, you may discover that your Pug isn’t actually overweight, just built that way.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Obese?
My Dog is a Bit Overweight, What Can I do?
If you find your dog is just a bit overweight (relative to their own bodyweight), you may be able to remedy the issue in a relatively short period of time.
For starters, you need to consider their eating and exercising habits. Sadly, a lot of owners feed their dogs without any rhyme or reason, and base the amount of food they dish out on random factors (i.e. how much they feel their dog should be eating for that specific meal).
Dogs, just like humans, can easily consume more calories than they actually need to. If you are feeding your dog low quality foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients, you may be the culprit behind their excess weight.
Thus, the second step you need to take involves taking a look at the food you are giving your dog. Unfortunately, dog food is not as overseen as human food, so you might have a bit of trouble sourcing something top notch. Look for real ingredients, and meals that are high in protein but low in carbs.
You should also try to up the daily amount of exercise your dog is getting. Something as simple as playing fetch can help them burn that extra weight off, or you can institute longer or more frequent walks.
If you find you don’t have enough time to walk your dog every day, try getting them a dog treadmill. We’ve reviewed some of the most popular models, so you should easily be able to find one that fits your budget and your space.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Obese?
My Dog is Very Overweight, Help!
If you on the other hand find that your dog is seriously overweight, or in fact obese, the road to health might be a longer one.
Your goal, however, will always be to support your dog on a sustainable and long-term weight loss journey. Never try to get your dog to lose a large amount of weight in a short period of time, as it can cause all kinds of health complications.
The plan of action will almost certainly include reducing their daily caloric intake, by switching to special weight loss foods. You won’t be introducing this new food overnight, rather only swapping out half of one of their meals to start with. Over time, you will be able to switch to the new food completely.
You will also need to up their fiber, protein and water intake most likely, and start counting their calories a bit more precisely. The quality of the food you feed your dog will again play a very important role.
Increased exercise is also a given, as is switching up, and most probably reducing, the amount of treats you give your dog.
In order for this weight loss plan to be effective and sustainable, you will need to consult your vet. They will also be able to determine whether the excess pounds have already caused any health complications, and if so, how they are best going to be treated.
Don’t think of your dog’s diagnosis of obesity as the end of the world. After all, we’re all susceptible to packing on the pounds. Focus on helping them lose the weight and feeling better in their own skin. Don’t punish them, and don’t try to get them to become super active overnight. Slow and steady wins the race.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Obese?
To Sum it Up
In order to determine whether your dog is obese or overweight, you can simply take the straightforward steps we have outlined above. If you are unsure as to what a fit dog should look like, make sure to consult your local vet and ask for their advice and input.
Obesity in dogs can lead to all kinds of health complications, so don’t sit around doing nothing if you discover your dog has gained some weight, rather start implementing the necessary lifestyle changes to help them return to their healthiest selves.
