Obesity in Dogs
- Pawsitive Pooches
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Too skinny? Too fat? How can you tell? Did you know 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight?
Today, we want to look at what obesity means for dogs and how you can tell if your dog is overweight. Firstly, it is often impossible to accurately judge a dog's weight by looking at them. There are things you can look for but with fluffier and hairier breeds, these signs can be hidden or masked, so hands-on is the only way to be accurate.
Obesity Risks
Unfortunately, obesity in dogs brings a huge range of health risks, from arthritis, to hypertension and diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. But it can also making going under anaesthetic at the vets much more risky. A 2024 report* stated that obesity shortened a dog's life by up to 2.5 years compared with dogs of a healthy weight and I'm sure you'll agree that these wonderful creatures do not live long enough as it is! Obese pets are also likely to cost much more in vets visits during their shortened lifetime and are much higher risk of heatstroke in hot weather.
What are we looking for?
Firstly you should be able to see or feel a distinct tuck under the stomach, between the ribs and back leg. Some dogs with longer fur will not show this as obviously, as you can see below.
You should also look for a 'waist' in the same area when your dog is viewed from above. This is a small narrowing behind the ribs and in front of the hips.
Lastly, your dog's ribs, hips and spine should be easily felt by stroking with light pressure over them. If you have to press on hard, or can't feel them at all, your dog is overweight. It's also worth noting that none of these three bony elements should be clearly visible as this means they are underweight. Some dogs at their ideal weight, particularly those with thinner fur, may display visible ribs in some positions, such as when stretching or turning.
What Can I Do If My Dog is Overweight?
The first thing you need to do is to check how much you are feeding your dog. Many people use the guidance on the back of the packaging to set a daily allowance but do so based on the dog's current weight. Instead, you should be feeding based on your dog's IDEAL weight. If you don't know what this is, please consult your vet.
It is also important to know how much food your dog eats daily. If you are just putting down food all day and not measuring, or if lots of additional treats and scraps are given, it will be difficult to keep track. Measure out the daily allowance at the start of the day. Start by reducing their daily intake by 10% and work from there. Remove any high fat treats or scraps from the diet completely and look to see if there is a lower fat version of your dog's food. You can also check with your vet for weight control food suggestions.
If your dog seems very hungry after the smaller meals, try adding some high fibre, low fat green veg such as broccoli or green beans to their meals to help them feel fuller.
Can I Use Food To Train an Overweight Dog?
You can absolutely continue to use food to train your dog, but this must come out of their daily food allowance. Try out low calorie options such as carrot, cucumber or apple, dried lean meats such as chicken or turkey and cut your treats into smaller pieces. You can also add interest to their usual dry food by adding a couple of handfuls to a bag and putting in a small amount of higher value food such as beef or sausage. Let the dry food soak up the flavour for a couple of hours before using.
Monitoring Progress
If you don't have access to appropriately sized scales at home, check your local pet store to see if they have them, for example Cookes Pet Supplies, or pop into your vet's reception area at a quiet time to weigh your dog there.
Keep track of what your dog is being fed and their weight to determine if more reductions need to be made and consult your vet if no progress is made after a 10% food reduction. Never reduce meals by more than 10% without veterinary advice.
Exercising Obese Dogs
Getting enough exercise to help your dog lose weight can be difficult if they are especially overweight or have underlying health issues. Regular short walks can help, allowing the dog to move at their own pace if walking is difficult. You might also consider swimming or hydrotherapy to help them move more freely, or visit a physiotherapist. We recommend Burntwood Canine Hydrotherapy and Jessica Parker Veterinary Physiotherapy.
Resources:
*UK Pet Food Obesity Report 2024
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