Pets

Is my dog ​​the right weight? Find out if you have a ‘thick jumpsuit’ or a ‘twiggy’ in your house

How do you know if you have an overweight or underweight dog? It can be a complex question for the average dog owner. Similar to human bodies, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from short and plump, long and slender, to square bodies and legs. Guessing the correct weight for each frame can be intimidating. Here are the signs that can help you know how to judge the weight ratio of some of the more typical dog breeds: Retrievers, Terriers, Poodles, Spaniels, Shih Tzu. The main areas to check are the ribs, hips, waist, and belly.

Signs that your dog is overweight:

Thick jumpsuit -A dog without a waist: Your dog should not look like a dachshund unless he is.

Marshmallow -If you cannot feel your dog’s spine, hips or ribs under gentle pressure, and instead only feel soft fat.

Affection -A dog skating with layers on the sides and hips that roll as the dog walks.

Resounding -If the belly continues to round beyond the umbilical area where the belly should start to rise and enter the waist.

Signs that your dog is underweight:

The girdleThe dog’s waist appears to be sucked under vacuum pressure.

Twiggy – The bones of the hip, rib and spine can be seen or felt with a touch without pressure

Parachute -There is excess skin on the lower part of the waist.

Signs that your dog is the perfect weight:

The width of the waist is 1.2 to 1.3 times greater than the width of the neck.

The dog’s sides do not move or roll when the dog moves or runs

You can’t see your hips, ribs, or spine, but you can feel them under gentle pressure.

The dog’s belly is raised to the waist and is not rounded or excessively rounded.

Patience and a little experience go a long way in finding the perfect weight for your dog. Your vet is a great resource when researching how much and what type of food to feed your dog. You are the one who lives with your dog every day, and you will see if there is a change in weight when you change your diet and / or exercise regimens. Whatever you choose, make these changes sparingly. If you increase exercise in your dog’s life, make sure his nails are trimmed to a usable length.

If you think your dog is a ‘thick monkey’, check with your vet first to rule out a variety of diseases that affect certain breeds more than others (such as Cushing’s disease) that can make the dog appear overweight when not it is. . This guide works for most dogs. For ‘thin breed dogs’ like Great Danes, Whippets and Greyhounds, use the Low Weight Dog Scale as your perfect weight. If your dog appears to be wearing a girdle, try giving him more food, increasing his intake by ¼, 1/2, or 1 cup more night and day, depending on a small, medium, or large breed dog. It is common for dogs that are intact to stay on the lean side. There are many food supplements available in the market to increase your appetite. Veterinary guidance and experimentation are the keys to weight change for the dog.

Find out where your dog’s weight falls. Consult a veterinarian if you have any questions. Make the appropriate changes for your dog’s age. Experiment with your dog on a weekly basis by changing his food intake and exercise program little by little. Please see the Dog Weight Ranges pictures and videos on the website for more help with your breed. Give your dog the longest and healthiest life you can, ditch the marshmallows and let Twiggy stick in your memory, keep your dog’s weight ‘just right’. The time you gain with it will far outweigh the hassle and effort it may cost you.

Copyright 2010 DuAnn Lustig Chambers

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