Check Your Dog's Body Shape One of the simplest ways to determine if your dog is fat is to look at the body shape. Looking at your dog from above, if you notice that the pup looks rather rotund and oval-shaped, it's likely that your dog is fat.
How do I know if my dog is the right weight?
Ideally you will be able to see its waist tucked behind its ribs. If you can see the outline of your dog's individual ribs and its waist is noticeably more narrow than its ribcage, then your pet is underweight; however, if its waist is in line with the ribs or bulges out past them then it is overweight.
What does dog fat feel like?
They usually feel somewhat “squishy,” or fluctuant, though they can be firmer in texture. They can be firmly stuck in place if they are adhered to the surrounding tissues, or you may be able to move them around to some degree.
Should you be able to feel your dog's ribs?
You should be able to feel the ribs with a slight covering of muscle over them, but they shouldn't be visible, feel like sharp ridges or be poking out. It's important to really feel them with your fingertips rather than just looking, as many dogs' coats will hide the ribs from view.
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