Many pet owners like to keep their dogs chubby because it looks cuter. But did you know that excessive obesity in dogs is very harmful? Once a dog becomes overly obese, it can easily cause diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and other illnesses, as well as place a great burden on the dog's respiratory system. But what kind of dog is considered obese? Today, the editor from Boqi.com will talk about the methods to judge if a dog is obese. Let’s take a look below.

According to the dog's “world” standard, if a dog’s weight exceeds the standard weight by 10% to 15%, it is considered obese. Usually, mild obesity will not pose a major threat to the dog’s health, but if the owner indulgently allows the dog to gain weight continuously, the dog’s health may eventually be endangered. So what is the standard weight for dogs? Like humans, the standard weight of a dog varies depending on the breed, sex, and age stage.

Therefore, to accurately determine if your dog is obese, you can generally judge by touch and appearance, such as feeling the dog's ribs and observing the chest, waist, back, and abdomen. Like most four-legged animals, a dog with a normal weight should have a gradually lifted lower abdomen muscle from front to back, and the back muscles should be firm and compact. If the dog’s abdomen is round, full, and sagging, and the back is plump and thick, then the dog is obese. The degree of obesity can be determined by how much fat you feel when you touch it. If you cannot feel the dog’s ribs at all, then it is definitely in the category of severe obesity, and a weight loss plan is urgently needed.

Besides the well-known causes such as overeating and lack of exercise, other reasons for dog obesity include the dog’s breed and sex. Generally, breeds such as Pugs and Dachshunds are naturally prone to obesity, and usually, female dogs tend to gain weight more easily than male dogs. Of course, if you choose the wrong breed — that is, selecting a dog breed at the start just based on your personal preference without considering the dog’s personality, your home’s layout, the surrounding environment, and other factors — it may also lead to obesity. For example, people with limited living space keeping large breeds, or people who prefer a quiet environment raising Golden Retrievers — both large-sized dogs and Golden Retrievers are typical active breeds that require plenty of exercise to stay healthy. Without sufficient exercise, even if they do not overeat, they will quickly become overweight and lose a graceful physique.

Through this article, everyone now knows the methods to judge if a dog is obese. The editor reminds you not to overly spoil your dog, as that would only harm it.