“If your dog's ribs aren't extremely prominent and you can easily feel them without having to press hard, then the dog is fit,” she says. For overweight dogs, it's very difficult to feel their ribs because there is too much fat in the way.
Is my dog fat or big boned?
Run your hands along your dog's sides as if you're petting them. If you can feel their ribs using only slight pressure, your pooch is likely at an ideal weight. But if you need to apply pressure to feel the ribs, then your dog is likely overweight or worse.
How do I know if I have puppy fat?
His waist is distinct when viewed from above and his abdomen slightly tucked when viewed from the side. If your puppy is overweight, the ribs are palpable with difficulty and there is a distinct cover of fat. You will probably start to notice fatty bumps around his ribs and tail. There is no waist.
Do I have a fat dog?
No matter your dog's breed, you should be able to feel all of your dog's ribs without a thick layer of fat over them. Your dog's chest should also be wider than his abdomen, with a noticeable tuck-up from chest to stomach. An overweight dog will generally have no waist and no distinction between chest and stomach.
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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