Tips on how to tell if your dog is overweight

Consulting a vet will help you establish whether your dog is at a healthy weight or if he is starting towards an unhealthy weight. You should discuss all diet related concerns with your vet prior to any major changes in your dog’s diet area. You can, of course, do this before your next vet visit as an assessment of your dog’s general body condition and weight. It won’t be as precise as having a professional check him out, though.

• Can the ribs be easily felt with slight fat cover, or are they difficult to feel under moderate or thick fat cover?
• From the side view, do you see an abdominal tuck?
• Is there thickening at the tail base?
• From the overhead view, is there a well-proportioned waist?
• Or, from the overhead view, does she have a marked hourglass shape? (an indicator of being underweight)
• Or, from the overhead view, is the back slightly or markedly broadened at the waist? (indicators of being moderately to severely overweight)
• Is your dog slow to rise or move around?
• Is she reluctant to exercise, or does she tire easily with activity?

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you must measure and weigh every meal you prepare. Once you do it a few times, you’ll get the hang of it.

The ideal solution, once you’ve determined your dog’s caloric needs, is to prepare meals at home. This gives you total control of the nutritional side and the caloric side of the content.

Dog Food Secrets teaches you how to easily keep your dog's weight under control and prevent it from becoming sick from obesity --> the number 1 cause of canine health problems. As long as they keep eating commercial dog food, you are fighting an uphill battle.