As a responsible dog owner, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s weight and overall health. Just like humans, dogs can become overweight or obese if they’re not getting enough exercise or eating a balanced diet. With this in mind, do you know how to check if you have an overweight dog?
If you suspect that your dog may be overweight, it’s essential to take action to help them maintain a healthy weight and avoid potential health problems down the road.
In this article, we’ll explore some methods for checking if your dog is overweight and what you can do to help them get back on track.
October 9th is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day (who knew?). We came across some amazing information from the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center and had to share it with you!
Veterinarians estimate that more than 50% of their pet patients are overweight or obese.
Many pet parents can tell if their pet is obese, but what they might not realize is that our pets can suffer from weight-related problems long before they become obese.
Especially in our canine companions. Studies have shown that as little as 15% over their healthy ideal weight can shorten their lives by up to 2 years!
Being just a little overweight can accelerate the development of painful joints, lameness and the progression of arthritis, and the need for pain medications to live a comfortable life.”
Use Pet Body Condition Score (BCS) Chart To Check If You Have an Overweight Dog
If you can’t tell if your pet is overweight, here is an easy guide called the Pet Body Condition Score (BCS) chart:
Pet Body Condition Score (BCS) is a widely used method for checking if a dog is at a healthy weight. The BCS is based on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely underweight and 9 being extremely overweight.
A healthy dog should have a BCS between 4 and 5, which means they should have a visible waistline and their ribs should be easily palpable without excess fat covering them.
If you suspect that your dog is overweight, you can use the BCS scale to determine its current condition.
You can do this by observing your pet’s body from above and from the side, feeling their ribcage and spine, and examining their abdomen for signs of excess fat. If your dog scores a 6 or higher on the BCS scale, it’s time to take action to help them lose weight and get back to a healthy body condition.
If you have specific questions about your dog’s weight, please discuss this with your veterinarian. In the meanwhile, go out and take a nice walk with your best friend!
