Is my dog overweight? If so, what can I do?

Half of all pets are overweight!

Did you know that 50% of all pets are above their healthy weight? That may come as a surprise to you. It isn’t always easy to tell if your beloved pooch has been overdoing the kibble because the number on the scale doesn’t mean much on its own. A miniature poodle who weighs 5 kg may well be obese whereas a beagle at the same weight is probably much too thin! How can you tell if your dog is a healthy weight? The easy-to-use chart below shows you what to look out for to tell if your dog is overweight.

My dog is overweight. What should I do?

If you feel your pet is overweight, it’s important to speak to your vet. The sooner excess weight is noticed, the faster action can be taken to prevent the development of diseases associated with it. Diet is an important part of treatment. Your pet needs good quality food adapted to his or her individual needs. After selecting the right food, accurate portion calculation is important to provide all the nutrients your pet needs and avoid excess calories. Treats may not necessarily be out of the question, but their quality and quantity must be monitored. Your vet can help you select food and can provide special measuring cups to make your job easier. Successful therapy also depends on physical exercise. This calls for a gradual approach, and activities that work for you both because, as a pet owner, you are the one responsible for day-to-day treatment.

You can work with your veterinarian to develop a customized, effective and realistic treatment plan that will keep your pet in trim condition.