Is My Dog Overweight?

We are all aware of the prevalence of obesity in humans, but it seems that the same contributing factors of poor diet and lack of exercise are leading to a growing weight problem for dogs. According to a recent survey between 30 and 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight. Obesity is now identified as one of the greatest health risks among dogs, and the problem is rising to epidemic proportions.

A dog that is overweight will not only experience cardiovascular difficulties, it will also suffer excessive strain on joints and ligaments. As the level of obesity increases, so does the risk of developing cardiac, digestive and circulatory problems, diabetes, arthritis, fatigue and intolerance to exercise and heat.

The early identification of a potential weight problem is, therefore, absolutely essential for your dog's health and well-being.
Discovering your dog's optimum weight

Dogs vary in height and muscle structure, and some dogs are more 'big-boned' than others, so defining the ideal weight for a dog is practically impossible. For example, a Labrador weighing 80 pounds may be perfectly fit and healthy, whereas, another Labrador could be overweight at 70 pounds.

For an approximate indication of the target weight your dog should be aiming for, visit the breed pages on the PetClub UK website. Some vets even offer 'weight watcher' clinics for pets where you can take your dog along at regular intervals to be weighed and discuss progress. You can also weigh your dog by yourself by standing on a set of bathroom scales carrying the dog and then subtract your own weight from the reading.
Difficulties in detecting weight problems

Although weight gain is directly related to food intake and exercise, obesity in dogs is not as obvious as many would think.

Just measuring the weight of a dog does not provide enough information to make a diagnosis. And, to make matters even more confusing, many overweight animals do not actually eat very much. So how can you be certain that your dog is overweight?
Visible symptoms of obesity

As dogs put on weight over time, so their shape gradually changes. Looking at your dog from above, the body should draw in to a waist between the ribs and the hips. If there is no waist, or worse, if the area between the ribs and hips is wider than the hips or ribs, the dog is clearly overweight.

Like humans, dogs can become so overweight they are considered morbidly obese. Morbid obesity in dogs results in fat deposits along the entire body and a hanging, protruding abdomen.

If your dog has a thick hair coat, the true extent of increasing fat cover may not be very noticeable. Comparing the current appearance of your dog with a photo taken when it was younger is a simple way to identify changes in your dog's body shape.

There are a number of behavioural indications of obesity that owners will be able to observe in their dogs. They may appear tired and lazy, often barking without getting up. They may pant constantly and respond unenthusiastically to physical activity, lagging behind on walks and needing help getting in and out of the car. They may seem low-spirited and be reluctant to play games, be touched or groomed, and less inclined to interact with the owner and other dogs.
Physically checking your dog

You can also gauge any excess fat on your dog by gently handling its body. When you run your hand over your dog's hindquarters, without pressing hard, you should feel the bumps of the two pelvic bones. If not, your dog is overweight. Then, placing your thumbs on your dog's back with your fingers at the side, run your thumbs along the backbone with your fingers over the ribs. If the fur is thick you may need to push into the coat to do this. If you cannot feel the bumps of the ribs without having to apply pressure, your dog is overweight. Similarly, if you can see the ribs, or if they are protruding, your dog is too thin.
Other factors to consider

Some breeds of dog are more inclined to obesity than others, and therefore need to be monitored more closely. They include the Basset Hound, Beagle, Cairn Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Labrador Retriever and Shetland Sheepdog.

Although most weight gain in dogs is simply due to feeding too much or exercising too little, there are medical conditions that can contribute to obesity. For example, Hypothyroidism, characterised by an underactive thyroid, can lead to excessive weight gain (this is more common in older dogs). Many such medical conditions can be treated. So, if your dog experiences sudden weight gain, you should have it examined by your vet. Then, if the weight problem is not the result of disease, it is time to take measures to tackle your dogs weight problem.

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