Many people are interested in the question of how is my dog overweight. Dogs of all sizes can be considered overweight but the degree to which a dog is over weight depends on a number of factors. If your dog is frequently eating food and has little or no exercise, this is probably the most common indication of overweight. Overweight dogs tend to pant legs when walking, will usually walk slower than normal or need to take longer naps than normal. A heavy dog will typically have either no discernible waistline or a waistband that tends to be noticeable when viewed from the front.
There are some genetic factors associated with being overweight: It is possible that if one or both parents were overweight it is likely that your pup will be as well. In order to make sure your dog does not have any hereditary predispositions to being overweight, you should talk to your vet and do some health screening. This can help find out if your dog has any medical conditions that would cause him/her to be overweight. Once you know for sure if your dog is overweight or not you will be able to address the necessary changes in your lifestyle.
One of the common ways: to tell if a dog is overweight is to feel the ribs. Excess weight causes the ribs to become hard and they are much heavier under the skin. Excess weight also increases the likelihood of developing internal parasites like hookworms. If you notice these signs in your dog, you should contact your vet as soon as possible and get your dog examined. If your vet diagnoses the problem as being a mild overweight issue then there are many simple steps you can take to curb the excess weight.
Most people realize that it is better to make gradual changes: in your dog's eating habits rather than just making drastic changes to their daily diet. When your dog is continuously overeating due to an excess weight gain it is tempting to simply give your dog a piece of cake to satisfy their hunger but this is not a good idea. A better option would be to buy smaller portions at a time and then gradually increase the size of the portions as the dog gets bigger. It is important to keep in mind that you will need to consult your vet regarding any type of weight gain diet your dog is on as some weight gain diets can be dangerous to your dog's health.
Another option you have as an owner is to switch your dog's food to an alternate brand: Grocery stores and kibble products often carry brands that are higher in fat and sugar content. These types of foods tend to encourage weight gain because they are high in calories and lack in nutritional value. It is recommended to switch your dog's food to a brand that contains a lot of natural, wholesome ingredients. It is also important to consult your vet about any other medications your dog might be taking or if there are any underlying medical conditions the vet may have that could impact your dog's ability to control his/her weight.
If you are asking yourself "How is my dog overweight?" there are several things that can contribute to the weight gain. Being overweight could also be caused by extreme physical activity such as running. However, most dogs can maintain their proper weight without much exercise.
If you notice that your dog is constantly picking up objects that are lying around or if you see your dog's butt hanging out, chances are your dog is feeling overweight.
