Is My Dog Overweight?

There's one important question about our dogs that needs answering, "Is he overweight?" Chubby or overweight dogs is not only a concern for now, but may affect his movements and well-being as he keeps growing.

Three easy ways to tell:

• Stand above your dog, look down and check for a "waist." Dogs at the proper weight will have a visible indentation behind their ribs.
• Place both hands, palms down, lightly, on your dog's ribs. You should be able to feel and count the ribs. If you can’t, chances are your dog is overweight.
• Look for pouches of fat in the groin area between the hind legs.

Check out our interactive S.H.A.P.E guide for more details 

Still not sure? Just ask your vet.

If your dog has been diagnosed as overweight, implement the following tips to support a healthy, successful weight loss:

• Cut out all treats and table scraps.
• Divide the daily food allowance for dogs into two to four small meals a day. Do not use "free-choice" feeding.
• Keep a weight record by weighing him at the same time every day of the week.
• A dieting dog may move to the bowl of his housemate to get more food. Feed them separately.
• Discourage begging. Feed them before your meals, and keep them away when you eat.
• Restrict unsupervised outdoor activity and make sure that indoor and outdoor garbage cans have secure covers.
• Tell your neighbours about your to avoid feeding him.
• Always provide plenty of clean, fresh water.
• See their vet at least once a year. The vet may recommend testing for certain diseases that can encourage weight gain and may make weight loss difficult.
• Exercise your dog on a regular basis. Starting slowly with short activity periods, and gradually increase the exercise time.

For expert personalised guidance in weight management, it is always recommended that you consult with your vet.