A healthy weight for your dog depends on its breed, age, and other factors.
A dog’s ideal weight is different depending on the dog. Every creature is different and comes in many shapes and sizes. When you identify a dog’s ideal weight, it is on a case-by-case basis. Knowing your dog’s weight is essential for having it fulfill a long, healthy life, and some have even determined that keeping your dog at a healthy weight can increase its lifespan by two years! Here are several ways to check what your pet’s target weight might be.
Breed
First, take a look at what is normal for your dog’s breed. As mentioned above, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and thus different breeds have different ideal weights. Checking what the average weight span is for your dog can help you determine if it is on the low end, the high end, or in the middle.
Gender
Even if you discover that the average weight for your dog’s breed falls between a particular range, keep in mind that that does not mean your pet’s weight should fall in the middle. Every dog in every breed is a little different, and gender also affects your measurements. The target weight may also depend on if your dog is male or female.
Profile
Knowing what is typical for your dog’s breed and gender, you can move on to checking your dog’s profile. Once again, looking at your dog as an individual is the best policy for determining its healthiest weight. One can view the dog from above to check for a waistline and from the side to see if the abdomen tucks up. Then, one can feel for the dog’s spine and ribs to check for a minimal fat covering.
Calculator
Different pet weight calculators exist online, whereby you can rate your dog’s condition. One could use the Purina Body Condition Score or the Body Condition Score. Check your calculations with your vet to review and get an expert’s opinion.
An Expert’s Advice
As one can see, you can easily determine whether your dog is thin, average, or overweight through the simple measures above. Even so, your vet at Everhart Veterinary Medicine is happy to give a professional evaluation of your pet’s health, and give advice on what your dog’s nutritional and exercise goals should be as well!
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With two Maryland locations in both Baltimore and Pasadena, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131 or 410-793-7670! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!