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.
Is my dog skinny or muscular?
Do this test: flatten your hand and feel over the back of your knuckles, they are easily felt, but with a layer of skin and they're not showing, this is what it should feel like if you feel over your dog's ribs. Pet Weight: This is just over ideal, but still not overweight.
How do I know if my dog is skinny?
How to Tell If a Dog Is Too Skinny1The ribs are clearly visible or feel like they lie just beneath the skin, with no fat layer in between.2The hip bones, shoulder bones and spinal cord are easy to feel beneath the skin.3The bones at the base of the tail are protruding.Is My Dog Too Skinny? - Hill's Pet Nutrition
How do you know if your dog is muscular?
You know you should be assessing your dog's body condition score to make sure she's not too heavy by looking at her from above so you can easily see and then feel her waist and an abdominal tuck. You should also be able to feel her ribs very easily when you lightly run your fingers over her sides.
Is my dog a good fit?
If they're playful and energetic around you, your dog is probably a good fit. Not all dogs will be full of energy. Since a lot of shelter dogs may be more advanced in age, it's likely that they won't have that over-the-top energy that a puppy has.
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