How to tell if your dog is overweight

The Body Condition Score 

This is a hands on assessment of your dog’s physical condition. It considers how easily you can feel your dog’s ribs and shoulder bones, if you can feel your dog’s spine and hip bones but not see them, if you can see your dog’s last rib, if your dog has an hourglass figure, and if your dog has a defined waist when you view them from the side. From this, you can then assign a score of 1 through 9 to your dog as follows:

1 - 3: Underweight → Ribs, spine and hip bones easily visible, little fat, very obvious waist 

4 - 5: Ideal Weight → Ribs, spine and hip bones not visible but can feel easily, well proportioned, can see a waist line

6 - 9: Overweight to Obese → Ribs, spine and hip bones not easily visible or felt, diminished waist or can’t see waist at all, excess of fat deposits on waist, face and limbs 

Along with BCS, assessing everyday activities can help determine if your dog could be overweight and that it’s time to talk to your vet. Some of the following could indicate a weight issue:

Struggling to get up from a sitting or lying positionWheezing whilst breathing Constant pantingAvoiding play or playing less than they used to Needing help getting in the car, on to sofas or beds, getting up stairs etc.Appearing winded after minimal movement, for example after greeting you when you come home