Food is one way we show our love for our dogs. We love to see them excited about a large portion of a meal and we love to see them excited about mid-meal treats. However, just like humans, we must be careful to provide our dogs with a balance of food and activity to keep them healthy. We wonder if our dog is too skinny, too heavy, or Street over the limit when it comes to weight.
Problems with excess weight
According to VCA, adding just 5 pounds of weight can put your dog at risk for a host of health complications. Practically any excess weight will lead to a secondary condition. It is merely a question of the timing and severity of the condition.
Being overweight or obese can lead to these and other problems:
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- osteoarthritis (inflammation of the joints)
- increased frequency of joint injuries
- High Blood Pressure
- some forms of cancer – especially cancer in the abdomen
On top of that, overweight dogs have less energy so they interact with humans less. Less play, less motivation and ability to exercise, and health complications become a cycle, making the situation worse and worse for your dog. Ultimately, it means a shorter, less happy life. And what does that mean for us? Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important throughout a dog’s life.
Weight chart
Determining a dog’s healthy weight isn’t as easy as looking at a chart of the breed’s average age and weight (although that might help you get started). As a general rule, a dog of a healthy weight should have a clear waistline when you look at them from the side and from above, although we encourage you to talk to your veterinarian when identifying them. exact number. To give you some quick direction, here are some common weights of the varieties, provided by Nom Nom:
Body Condition Score
As a general rule, a healthy weight dog should have a clear waistline when you look at them from the side and from the top. The abdomen should be pulled in when viewed from the side and you should see it arching in from your view from above.
To fine-tune the scale, you need to evaluate your pet’s Body Condition Score. Veterinarians often use the Body Condition Score to assess a pet’s weight and set goals for moving forward. Sometimes they are held with 5 points and other times with 9 points. Here is a Example 9 points from VCA.
1 emaciated: The ribs, spine, and pelvis protrude outward. Loss of current muscle mass. Serious tummy tuck and incredible waistline on both cats and dogs.
2 Very thin: The ribs and spine and pelvis can be seen, but only a small loss of muscle mass. Tight waist and belly.
3 Thin: The ribs, pelvis, and spine are easily palpated and partially visible. Tight waist and belly.
4 Underweight: Ribs, pelvis, and spine are palpable but not clearly visible. Visibly firm waist and abdomen.
5 Ideal Weight: The ribs, pelvis, and spine are palpable with a thin layer of fat. The waist and belly are toned but not too severe with gradual curves.
6 Overweight: The slight layer of fat on the ribs, spine, and pelvis makes them less palpable. Abdominal draw is present but minimal. The waistline is visible, but not prominent.
7 Heavy: The ribs are covered with a heavy layer of fat that needs to be pressed with a finger to feel it. Difficulty feeling the spine or pelvis. Waistline is not clear. The abdomen is still slightly exposed.
8 Obesity: The ribs, pelvis, and spine are covered with a thick layer of fat and can only be palpated under extreme pressure. Do not squeeze your belly or waistline.
9 Severe obesity: The ribs and spine were not palpable under the thick layer of fat. Abdominal distention is directed downwards (opposite of a draw-in) and outwards (protruding waistline). Fat accumulation on the legs, face and on the tip of the tail covers the pelvis.
Dr. Justin Shmalberg, DVM is a Veterinary Nutritionist at Nom Nom. He’s put together this easy-to-follow guide to determine if your dog is in a healthy weight range using both the Waist Test and the Body Condition Score.
Move in scale with personalized meals
Now that you know how to check your dog’s weight with several authorities, have you discovered that your dog is outside of that reasonable weight target? If your dog is not in the healthy weight range, food could be a big part of the problem. Perfectly portioned, fresh meals designed with your dog’s unique weight goal in mind may be the solution.
There’s no better time than now to balance your dog’s weight. Nom Nom is extending a special offer, just for our iHeartDogs community. Take advantage today and keep your dog’s weight on track. 50% off your first order today!
