For a dog to be healthy it is important that you stay at your weight. We, as your caregivers, have to make sure that you eat the amount of food you need and that you also exercise on a daily basis.
When we spoil him too much and start giving him snacks, we risk him gaining a few extra kilos, which could lead to problems in the medium or long term. If we have doubts about whether we are taking care of it correctly, let's see how to know if my dog is at his ideal weight.
A dog that is at its ideal weight, viewed from above, must have defined hips. Your bones will not be marked, but your body will not be round in shape either. When you breathe, your lower ribs may be slightly marked, but nothing more. The animal can run without fatigue and lead a completely normal life without problems.
However, the situation will be different if you need to lose weight or gain weight. In the first case, the ribs will be quite marked, being able to see the waist. You will have hardly any muscle mass, so you will spend more time resting than doing anything else.
Moreover, If it is a hairy one with a few kilos to spare, you will see that the excess fat hangs down and moves from one side to the other as it walks. Your waist is barely visible. Due to excess weight, you will tire very quickly on walks.
To get an idea of how much a dog should weigh according to size, we attach the following list that can serve as a guide:
- Mini: up to 5kg.
- Small: from 5 to 10kg.
- Medium: from 11 to 25kg.
- Big: from 26 to 40kg.
- Very big: more than 40kg.
If you suspect that your friend is overweight or needs to gain weight, ask your vet about the best way to do it.