Body Condition Checklist for Dogs and Cats

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

26 Apr 2006 08:48 AM

Back in January, I shared a not-so-deep, not-very-dark secret: Moose is a fat dog. I'm going to go so far as to say that he is obese.

I stopped by the vet's this week to pick up some refills on Frontline and Heartguard for my pups. And they gave me a couple of handouts to subtly remind me about Moose's ever-growing girth.

The folks at Iams estimate that as many as forty percent of all dogs and cats are overweight. And that's not good. Sure, you might think your chubby pup is perfectly happy, but he's also at risk for some big health problems.

If you're not sure whether or not your pet is overweight, answer the following questions:

1. Do you have difficulty feeling your pet's ribs?
2. Does your pet lack a visible waist -- the indentation between where the ribs end and the hips begin?
3. Does your pet get table scraps or leftovers frequently?
4. Is your pet reluctant to exercise?
5. Does your pet tire easily with activity?
6. Does your pet waddle when he walks?
7. Does your pet keep eating as long as there is food available?
8. Has your pet been spayed or neutered?
9. Have you been told (by a veterinary professional) that your pet is overweight?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to talk to your vet about some type of weight management for your pet. Your vet may suggest switching table scraps for healthy treats like carrots or apples. My vet suggested that Moose cut out the soft, chewy treats and have the lower fat crunchy treats (like Milkbones) instead.

If you still aren't sure how to tell what shape your pet is in, take a look at them from above and from the side. From above, you should be able to see a visible dip at the waist, where the ribs end. From the side, you should see that the abdomen curves up towards the hips. If you can't feel the ribs or see a definite waistline, your pet is probably carrying some extra pounds.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger