Checking to See if Your Dog is Within Weight Guidelines

Obesity has become a concern not just for humans but our canine friends as well. Just as being overweight can put a person in danger physically, so too can it shorten the life of a dog. It is important to keep your dog at a healthy weight in order to prevent future health problems caused by obesity. There are several ways you can check to see if your dog is at the correct weight.

First, you can conduct a simple test by examining its ribs. If you can see each rib very clearly, your dog is likely to be slightly underweight. There should be a fine layer of fat over each rib. If you have trouble finding the rib, than your dog needs to lose some weight. Second, the shoulders, hips and spine should also be covered in a fine layer of fat. If there is a lack of fat or too much, your dog may be under or overweight. Finally, if you are having trouble determining a healthy weight for your dog, speak with a veterinarian to learn more about canine obesity and weight guidelines.