Sometimes it is difficult to determine if our dog is in his ideal weightas this depends on factors such as race, age or gender. It is necessary to make sure that you do not stay below or above your proper weight, since both the lack of kilos and the obesity are two disorders that can bring serious consequences.
According to experts, the obesity it is a very common problem among dogs in western countries. This overweight can cause cardiorespiratory diseases, diabetes or arthritis, among other ailments. Quite different, though equally alarming, is the lack of nutrition. The extreme thinness It also causes these types of conditions, such as bone weakness or lung disability.
For all these reasons it is essential that we are aware of what the real weight of our pet is, and what it should have. We can get an idea observing her and feeling her chest. In the event that, when touching their ribs, we find a thick layer of fat, we will be facing a case of obesity. In dogs with this problem, it is difficult to differentiate their waist.
If, on the contrary, the animal needs to gain weight, we will notice that its ribs, pelvis and lumbar vertebrae they are very visible. In addition, there will be a total absence of fat and we will observe some retraction of the abdomen. Likewise, when palpating his thorax we will perfectly differentiate his ribs.
None of this should happen if the dog is at its ideal weight. If so, your ribs would be palpable without excess fat, and we could spot her waist if we look at it from above. We would also notice his retracted abdomen if we look at the dog from the side. We can see it more clearly in the image.
On the other hand, there are some specific calculations for each breed. For example, the Yorkshire should weigh less than three kg, while the ideal weight of the Boxer is between 22 and 34 kg. These types of rules can guide us when deciding whether our dog needs to lose weight or gain weight.
However, nothing better than visit the vet regularly, so that it can examine the animal, weighing it and advising us on the diet and the doses of physical exercise it needs.