March 28, 2024

Have you ever discovered your self questioning “is my canine chubby”? You’re not alone! In truth, weight problems is without doubt one of the most typical ailments veterinarians see of their sufferers. To assist guarantee your pup lives a cheerful, wholesome, and lengthy life, we’ve requested our Freshpet vet, Dr. Aziza, to share the highest indicators that your canine might have to shed pounds.

Sign #1: Feeding directions aren’t constantly adopted

Some pet mother and father might go away meals out all day, permitting their canine to graze at will. Alternatively, they could give a certain quantity of meals day-after-day however use distinctive instruments to gauge how a lot meals to offer – for instance, a big soda cup from a gasoline station (belief me, I’ve seen all of it!). It’s essential to observe the feeding directions supplied by the pet meals firm to stop overfeeding. For occasion, if the directions are based mostly on giving a certain quantity of cups per day, make use of a measuring cup used for cooking.

Fortunately, Freshpet proves to be the very best pet food for sustaining a canine’s wholesome weight by offering the serving sizes proper on their slice and serve rolls. Just discover the beneficial feeding quantity in your canine based mostly on weight, then slice, cube, and serve. This wholesome pet food is that simple!

Brown-eyed dog looking into the distance in an outdoor setting

Sign #2: You can’t see or really feel your canine’s ribs

If you’ve ever discovered your self asking ‘is my canine chubby?’, you’ll be comfortable to know that there are two simple strategies of checking at dwelling:

  • Using your eyes: When taking a look at your pup’s ribcage, the ribs closest to the again legs ought to be faintly seen. If you cannot inform the place the rib cage ends, this can be a good indication that there could also be an excessive amount of fats masking them.
  • Using your palms: Another method to inform is by feeling the ribs. If they’re troublesome or not possible to really feel when putting your hand on the aspect of their chests, they’re chubby.
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Sign #3: You can’t see your canine’s waist

Your canine’s waist ought to be noticeable wanting down onto their again or from the aspect. If there’s a sagging look in your canine’s profile on the waist or if their again is the form of a loaf of bread, then there’s a very good probability your canine is chubby.

Large dog laying on hardwood floor

Sign #4: Your canine has low vitality ranges

Dogs who’re chubby are inclined to not have the vitality to be energetic. They are carrying further kilos that put pointless stress on their joints making it tougher to get round. This signifies that actions reminiscent of operating, enjoying, and even strolling up and down the steps turn out to be inaccessible – consequently, they turn out to be “sofa potatoes”. If your canine appears to do nothing however eat, sleep, and lay round all day, it’s possible they’re chubby.

Sign #5: Eating is your canine’s solely exercise

Continuing on from the earlier signal, canines who eat loads with out applicable train will achieve weight. There are some canines who love meals a lot that they appear to be hungry on a regular basis, but when they’re already chubby then they’re not really hungry. However, there are some canines who’re chubby however don’t eat loads. In these instances, the 2 most typical causes embody:

  • Secret meals: Your canine could also be getting further meals from a secret supply, reminiscent of kids or different members of the family in the home, and even well-meaning neighbors.
  • Underlying well being points: If your canine doesn’t appear to be overeating however remains to be gaining weight, it could possibly be that their physique is missing a thyroid hormone which results in low metabolism. If you watched that is the case, it’s one thing that may be recognized by your veterinarian.
Small, old dog laying in the sheets and pillows of a bed

If you acknowledge any of the indicators that Dr. Aziza has highlighted, there’s a very good probability that your canine is chubby. If that is the case, be sure you check out our weblog on how one can hold your canine at a wholesome weight and schedule an appointment along with your veterinarian to create a tailor-made weight reduction plan.

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