Is My Dog Overweight? 7 Easy Ways to Tell and What to Do About It

Have you been looking at your furry friend lately and wondering if they’ve packed on a few extra pounds? You’re not alone! According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 55% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. That’s more than half of our canine companions carrying around extra weight that could be harming their health.

As a pet parent myself, I know how easy it is to show our love through treats and table scraps. But those extra pounds can lead to serious health problems for our four-legged friends. So how do you know if your dog is overweight? Let’s dive into some simple ways to check and what you can do to help your pup slim down if needed.

Why Your Dog’s Weight Matters

Before we get into the signs, let’s talk about why keeping your dog at a healthy weight is so important. Extra weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue – it can significantly impact your dog’s health and quality of life.

Overweight dogs are at higher risk for:

• Joint problems and arthritis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disorders
• Back pain
• Hypertension
• Skin disorders
• Reduced life expectancy
• Decreased quality of life
• Certain types of cancer
• Kidney dysfunction

I still remember when my neighbor’s Lab, Bailey, was carrying about 15 pounds of extra weight. The poor thing could barely make it around the block without panting heavily and needing to rest. After a dedicated weight loss program, Bailey became a new dog – running, playing, and enjoying life again!

7 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight

1. The Rib Check

One of the most reliable ways to check if your dog is at a healthy weight is to feel for their ribs Here’s how

Place your hands on the sides of your dog’s chest and gently feel for the ribs. In a dog with a healthy weight, you should be able to feel the ribs without pressing too hard, kind of like feeling the back of your hand If you have to press firmly to feel the ribs or can’t feel them at all, your dog might be overweight.

As Dr Sara Ochoa, DVM, explains, “If your dog’s ribs aren’t extremely prominent and you can easily feel them without having to press hard, then the dog is fit.”

2. The Visual Test: Look From Above

Stand above your dog and look down at their body shape. A healthy dog should have a visible waist behind their ribs – kind of like an hourglass figure. If your dog looks more oval-shaped or round with no waist definition, they’re probably carrying extra weight.

3. The Side View Check

Look at your dog from the side. In a dog with a healthy weight, the belly should “tuck up” from the end of their ribcage to their hind legs. If their belly sags or hangs down in a straight line (or worse, droops lower than their chest), that’s a sign your dog is overweight.

4. The Fat Pad Hunt

Feel along your dog’s spine, hips, and base of the tail. These are common areas where fat accumulates. If you feel soft, squishy pads of fat in these areas instead of being able to feel the bones beneath, your dog might be overweight.

Dr. Ochoa notes, “Overweight dogs will have fat pads on the top of their hips” and “Some animals will have fat sacks between their legs that will waddle when they walk.”

5. The Energy Level Evaluation

Has your once energetic dog become a couch potato? Are they slowing down on walks or panting more than usual? Do they seem reluctant to climb stairs or jump up on furniture they used to access easily? These behavioral changes can be signs that your dog is carrying too much weight.

6. The Weighing Scale

Regular weigh-ins can help track your dog’s weight over time. If you notice your dog’s weight creeping up on the scale at home or at the vet’s office, it might be time to reassess their diet and exercise routine.

7. The Body Condition Score

Veterinarians use a body condition scoring system to assess whether a dog is at a healthy weight. This system typically uses a scale of either 1-5 or 1-9, with the middle numbers (3/5 or 5/9) representing an ideal weight.

Here’s a simplified version of the 9-point scale:

• 1-3: Underweight – Ribs, spine, and hip bones easily visible; no fat can be felt
• 4-5: Ideal weight – Ribs easily felt with minimal fat covering; visible waist when viewed from above; abdominal tuck when viewed from side
• 6-7: Overweight – Ribs difficult to feel; noticeable fat deposits; waist absent or barely visible
• 8-9: Obese – Ribs impossible to feel; massive fat deposits; no waist; abdomen sagging

What To Do If Your Dog Is Overweight

So you’ve checked and determined your dog could stand to lose a few pounds. Don’t panic! With some simple changes, you can help your furry friend get back to a healthy weight.

1. Visit Your Vet

Before starting any weight loss program, take your dog to the vet. Sometimes weight gain can be caused by medical conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease. Your vet can rule out these issues and help you develop a safe weight loss plan specific to your dog’s needs.

2. Measure Your Dog’s Food

Many of us are guilty of eyeballing our dog’s food portions, which often leads to overfeeding. Use a measuring cup or, even better, a gram scale to measure out exact portions based on your vet’s recommendations.

I started measuring my dog’s food exactly, and was shocked to realize I’d been giving him almost 25% more than the recommended amount every day!

3. Choose the Right Dog Food

Your vet might recommend switching to a weight management formula. These foods are specially designed to help dogs lose weight while still providing all the nutrients they need.

Some options your vet might suggest include:

• Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight
• Purina Pro Plan Weight Management
• Or for more significant weight loss, prescription options like Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management

4. Watch Those Treats

Treats can add a lot of extra calories to your dog’s diet. Limit treats to no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Better yet, replace high-calorie treats with healthier options like:

• Baby carrots
• Green beans
• Cucumber slices
• Broccoli florets
• Celery sticks

My dog Charlie absolutely loves frozen green beans as treats – he doesn’t even realize they’re healthy!

5. Increase Exercise

Gradually increase your dog’s physical activity. Start with short, 10-15 minute walks and slowly work up to longer durations. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily for most dogs, though this can vary by breed, age, and health status.

Fun exercise ideas include:

• Regular walks
• Fetch games
• Swimming
• Dog sports like agility
• Play dates with other dogs

6. Regular Weigh-Ins

Monitor your dog’s progress with regular weigh-ins, either at home (if you have a suitable scale) or at your vet’s office. Most dogs should aim to lose about 1-2% of their body weight per week – anything faster can be unhealthy.

7. Be Patient and Consistent

Weight loss takes time. Most dogs will reach their target weight within 3-6 months of starting a weight management program. Stay consistent with the new routine and be patient with the process.

Common Mistakes Pet Parents Make

When trying to help our dogs lose weight, we sometimes make these common mistakes:

1. Free-feeding – Leaving food out all day encourages overeating
2. Too many table scraps – Human food is often high in calories
3. Not enough exercise – Diet alone isn’t enough
4. Misinterpreting begging – Dogs often beg out of habit, not hunger
5. Inconsistency – Changing the plan too often leads to failure

Final Thoughts

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for their overall health and longevity. By regularly checking your dog’s body condition and making adjustments to their diet and exercise routine as needed, you can help ensure they live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Remember that weight loss should be gradual – rapid weight loss can be dangerous for dogs. Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a safe and effective weight loss plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

I’ve helped my own dog lose weight in the past, and while it took some discipline (mostly on my part!), the improvements in his energy and quality of life were totally worth it. Your furry friend deserves the same chance at a healthy life!

Have you checked your dog’s weight lately? What signs did you notice that made you wonder if your dog was overweight? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

To tell if your dog is overweight, feel their ribs to ensure you can easily feel them with a light touch, look for a visible waistline when viewing from above and an “abdominal tuck” when viewed from the side, and monitor for decreased energy, sluggishness, and excessive panting.

The fastest way to achieve healthy weight loss for a dog is by combining a veterinarian-approved, calorie-controlled diet with increased physical activity, such as daily walks, games of fetch, or swimming. You must gradually increase activity levels to prevent injury and watch for signs of overexertion or heatstroke. Limiting high-calorie treats and table scraps while incorporating low-calorie alternatives like carrots or green beans is also crucial.