Is Your Dog Overweight?

How do you know if your dog is in a healthy weight range? We only want the best for our dogs and sometimes, we do't quite realise a scrap here or there might be putting a few extra pounds on our furry friend.

Let's be honest, those sad eyes look at us as we devour something delicious and we can be tempted to give in to their guilt trip. They know it works, that's why they do it!

As responsible owners, we need to feed our pets with healthy foods and provide plenty of exercise. We also need to make sure we're not feeding them too much. So here's how you can determine if your dog is overweight...

Signs of an obese dog

• Difficulty breathing.

• Waddling from side to side.

• Ribs can be difficult to feel.

• Intolerant to exercise.

• From a side view, you cannot see a abdominal tuck as fat hangs from the abdomen.

• From above, the lumbar waist is not visible.

• The tail base is thickened and difficult to feel under prominent layer of fat.

Ideally you want to be able to feel your dog's ribs with only a slight layer of fat. If you're concerned about your dog's weight, ask your vet to carry out the Body Condition Score which determines your dog's weight and nutritional requirements.

If you find your dog is overweight, use this as an opportunity for you to increase your exercise regime and to learn more about dog nutrition. You and your furry friend will be glad you did.