Understanding your dog's weight is essential to increase its longevity and quality of life and decrease the likelihood of any disease. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 39% of dog owners considered their dogs obese in 2021. But you might wonder how I can prevent my dog from getting obese. Well, at Dr. Woow, we put a complete overview of dog obesity, from how to know if your pet is overweight to steps to prevent your pup from getting obese, as well as other resources for your to keep an eye out for your pup.
The easiest way to see if your pup is obese is to feel it, run your fingers across its side lightly, and try counting your dog's ribs; if you can do so without a problem, they are probably good on weight. The next step to see if they are overweight is to look down on your pet from above if you see an hourglass figure or indentation near the midsection. However, if you see a blimp from above, there is a chance that they are overweight.
After doing this simple "at-home" test, if you are still worried about your pet's weight, we recommend you go to a vet or wait for his next visit. So we curated a set of questions for you to ask the vet.
Is my dog overweight?
While straightforward, this is one of the most important questions to ask them about. Some vets are scared of offending the dog owners, so they are more complex with this, but it is something fundamental to ask and know. After the answer, ask about the possibility of doing a weight assessment.
How many calories should I feed my dog per day?
In the same way that you, as humans, measure your calories while on a diet, you shall do the same when dealing with your dog's diet. Make sure to bring with you to the visit all the product facts about the food they eat. That way, you can measure and ask more detailed questions.
What kinds of exercise should my dog do?
Like any human diet, a dog's diet is a mix of healthy eating and exercise. The general recommendation is 30 minutes of exercise daily. Depending on age and health, some dogs will be more likely to do different activities like swimming, ball retrieving, or walking.
If you are still wondering if your dog is in the correct weight size, the American Kennel Club has a weight chart per breed. Click here to learn more.
So what do you think? Is your dog's weight healthy? Make sure to check out some of our amazing chews in prebiotics, probiotic, and postbiotic supplements to ensure a healthy gut, and digestive system! Share your best way to maintain your dog's weight healthy.
