Signs Your Pup May Need Lose Some Weight

Does your pup look a little more plump than usual? It’s not an uncommon observation. According to a 2018 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, “55.8 percent of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese.” Obesity in dogs isn’t a benign issue. Just like in humans, canine obesity can herald a host of compounding health issues for your dog such as diabetes or heart problems to name only a few. 

 

If you are concerned or suspect your pup has put on weight, stay tuned to learn the common signs that your dog may need to lose a few of those extra pounds.

 

A good start to assessing your dog’s potential weight gain is to take stock of their body checking for:

 

• Body Shape: An easy and direct way to tell whether your dog is obese, or not, is to simply look at the shape of their body. Look from above, and notice if your dog’s shape looks rather plump and oval-shaped, it’s likely they’re sporting more pounds than they should. 

 

• Rib Visibility: Gently feel the sides of your dog’s ribs. How defined are they? Do you have to press firmly to feel their shape? A healthy dog should have an easily visible and feelable rib cage. Simply put, a dog with too much fat on their body will obscure rib cage visibility.

 

• Lookout for Fat Pads: When your dog is carrying a little too much weight, fat deposits, or pads, will take form on your pup’s frame. Typically these fatty deposits are prominently noticeable at the top of your dog’s hips.

 

Just like in humans, being overweight isn't a laughing matter. Obesity is not only uncomfortable for our companions, but it directly shortens their life spans. While spoiling our pups can be difficult to resist, as responsible pet parents we should always have the best in mind for our pet’s health.

 

Windmill Veterinary Center is Here to Help Maintain Your Pup’s Health 

Here at Windmill Veterinary Center, we want all our patients to thrive in health and happiness by your side for as long as possible. If your dog’s weight has become a problem, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule a wellness exam.

Our skilled and compassionate staff will do everything they can to provide your dog with the best care and treatment plan possible to get them back to healthier and happier living.