Is my dog overweight? What can I do?

Short answer: look at and feel your dog's body. If you cannot feel the ribs with a light touch, or you cannot see a waist, your dog may be carrying extra weight. Talk to your vet before changing food.

A quick hands-on check

PDSA suggests a body condition score, using shape as well as weight. Gently feel the base of the tail and check there is no build-up of fat. Look from the side and above and check for a waist. Feel under the tummy, which should go in and not bulge out. Run your hands along the back, where you should feel the spine and hip bones under the skin without seeing them. Along the sides, the skin should move freely over ribs you can feel with a light touch. For more on this, see How much and how often should I feed my adult dog.

Why it happens

PDSA says the most common reason is too much food or too many treats, and too little exercise. Medical causes exist, such as hormone problems, but they are much rarer. If your dog is gaining weight, drinking more, or seems unwell, see your vet.

What helps

Ask your vet for a target weight and a feeding plan. Measure meals, count treats as part of the day's food, and cut back slowly. Use part of the daily meal for training and sniffing games so your dog still gets rewards. Walk a bit more, build up gradually, and check with your vet before starting something new if your dog has joint or heart issues.

Why it matters

PDSA lists being overweight as one of the things that raises a dog's risk of heatstroke, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight also helps on hot days.

Get the right help

Do not put your dog on a crash diet. Your vet can check for health problems and help set a safe pace.

This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, is in pain, or something changed suddenly, call your vet. If it could be an emergency, do not wait.

Sources

• PDSA: Obesity in dogs