Ways to determine if your dog is overweight

There are basic ways to tell if your dog is overweight:

  •  Running your hands along the dog's ribcage you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat
  • Looking at your dog from the side you should be able to see the upward tuck of the abdomen. If the underside of the dog continues straight across horizontally then it is probably overweight.
  • Viewed from above there should be a slight narrowing at the waist just past the ribcage. A bulging here is a bad sign.
  • These signs may be difficult to see in a long-haired breed of dog. If you are in any doubt why not see the vet for a general check-up and weighing?