How To Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight Or Fat

Unfortunately we owners can never tell if our dogs are overweight or fat - they are perfect in our eyes and we can't resist feeding them titbits! But an overweight dog is an unhealthy dog and will suffer from conditions such as heart disease if left unchecked. Overweight dogs will have a reduced life span due to these health problems. An overweight dog may also suffer from joint pains and a susceptibility to arthritis due to the added pressure on the joints. It will also suffer general discomfort, eg on a sunny day it will pant more and not tolerate the heat. Follow the following advice to prevent weight gain. Follow the dog food manufacturers recommended guidelines when feeding your dog - these have been scientifically calculated and researched. No matter how appealing your dog looks to you - resist giving him or her titbits from your plate. Feel your dog's body - you should be able to comfortably feel its ribs. If you cannot it is considered overweight. Get your dog to stand and look at it from above. Ideally you should see a definite waist shape and there should be no tummy sag. Take photographs at regular dates and compare the shape of your dog to spot weight gain. At each visit to the Vet, such as when getting your dog vaccinated, or collecting worming tablets, use the special dog scales and ask the Vet or the Veterinary Nurse to record this in the dog's notes and evaluate any weight loss or gain. Go for a daily walk - it is good for the dog and for you! Monitor the notch on the dog's collar - if you need to tighten or loosen the collar it is a sign of weight loss or gain. Read more dietary advice or read the water guide. Free UK Delivery on Dog and Pet Portraits from photographs at Karla's Creative Capers who did the portrait on the left from a photo of my flat coated retriever, Lucy. The portraits are ready to hang on the wall and are of a high quality canvas. For full details see www.karlascreativecapers.co.uk If you would like to add your text, image, product, service, website or photo to this flat-coats page then please Contact Me. More pages from Flat-Coats: Become A Dog Walker Breed Standard Buy an RSPCA animal or Dog Gift Box Buying a Dog/Puppy Buying Dog Food and Products Canine Arthritis Clicker Training Contact Cushing's Disease Daily Blog Dietary Advice Dog Cancer Dog Insurance Dogs and Wills Dog Toys Ear Care Epilepsy Flat Coated Retriever Information Food to Avoid Giving Your Dog Free Dog Food Samples Free Pet Stuff Get your Dog on TV or Magazines Grass Eating Grooming Health Hip Dysplasia History of Dogs How to Bath your Dog How to deal with Excess Dog Hair How to stop your Dog Barking How to stop your Dog Eating Faeces How to tell if your Dog is Overweight How to Work out your Dogs Age Introducing a New Dog or Puppy to an Older Dog Kennel Cough Links List Of Breeders Mange Making a Garden Dog Friendly Nail Care Other Flat-Coated Retriever Websites Privacy/Disclaimer Policy Puppy Care Site Map Signs of Pain Teach a Dog to Roll Over Teeth Information Training Tips Water/Fluid Advice Why Dogs Go Round In Circles Before Lying Down Whistle Come Back