Weight Check

Douglas Barr · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: Weight Check

How do I determine if my dog is overweight?

Eleni Gordon · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

there are two ways to find out if your dog is overweight. first, feel for your dog's ribs. there should be a little amount of fat over them. if the ribs are too pronounced, your pet is too thin. if you can't see nor feel the ribs at all, your pet is overweight.

another way is by looking at your pet from the top view. you should see a distinct waist just below the ribs. if the waist is too prominent, then your pet is too thin. conversely, if you can't see a waist, that means your dog is overweight.

Sasha MacNeille · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the detailed info, Eleni. Very helpful. I think a friend's dog is overweight. I just need something definite so I can prove it to her.

Amelia Bowman · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject:

why don't you check this blog:

http://www.petshed.com/blog/2008/03/19/obesity-in-dogs/

it might help you find out more on obesity in dogs.

Cool

Gina Cavendish · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

do dogs have BMIs too?

Douglas Barr · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

Joseph Niska · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

I don't think dogs have body mass index like we dog. Just give your dog plenty of exercise and his weight will be fine.

Smile

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:28 am Post subject:

a book i read says that there are breeds, like Bassett hound, beagle, cocker spaniel, dachshund and labrador, that tend to gain weight than other breeds.

Megan Turnbull · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

if the your friend's dog is purebred, you can find information about the breed's ideal weight then compare that to the dog's weight.

Douglas Barr · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

So dog BMIs are a myth?

Gina Cavendish · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

correct me if i'm wrong but i think i stumbled upon an article here at pet shed that talks about obesity in animals. i can't seem to find it, though. (not that i'm really looking that hard. Laughing

)

Pauline Weiss · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

it's this article, gina:

http://www.petshed.com/blog/2008/03/19/obesity-in-dogs/

dogs don't have BMIs, but they have Body Condition Score (BCS), which is the equivalent of BMI.

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

BCS! Now dogs are really becoming more like us, imagine that they also have their own version of our BMI. Shocked

Beatrice Dixon · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

i checked the article pauline referred here.

it has a clear discussion on obesity and checking your pet's weight. you guys better check it out too. Wink

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject:

and to quote the aricle: "If you want your pets to live longer and healthier lives, don’t let them grow ‘too fat.’ Save them while you still can. Get them off the obesity track straightaway."

i know we all agree with this. Wink