A healthy body weight is crucial for your dog's well-being and quality of life. Being overweight can lead to joint problems, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, while being underweight can indicate health problems or nutritional deficiencies. But how do you determine your dog's ideal weight?

In this article, you will learn how to tell if your dog is at its ideal weight, what dangers are associated with being overweight or underweight, and how you can best support your dog.

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1. Why is the ideal weight so important for dogs?

The right body weight has a direct impact on your dog’s health and well-being.

✅ Longer life expectancy – Studies show that normal weight dogs often live longer and healthier lives.

✅ Fewer joint problems – Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the joints and can promote osteoarthritis.

✅ Better mobility & activity – A healthy dog ​​enjoys moving and stays fit.

✅ Stable organ health – Too much fat can cause liver problems and cardiovascular diseases.

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2. How do I know my dog’s ideal weight?

There are some simple methods to determine your dog's ideal weight without using a scale. A visual assessment and body palpation will help determine whether your dog is too thin, at an ideal weight, or overweight:

📌 Characteristics of a dog with ideal weight:

✔ Waist visible: When you look at your dog from above, a visible waist should be visible behind the ribs.

✔ Tucked-up belly line: When viewed from the side, the belly line should be slightly pulled upwards – a sagging belly can indicate excess weight.

✔ Ribs easily palpable: The ribs should be palpable without strong pressure, but should not protrude strongly.

✔ Easily visible last rib: In many dogs with an ideal physique, the last rib is easily visible - this is completely normal and even an indication of a healthy figure.

📌 Characteristics of a thin dog:

❌ Ribs, spine or hip bones are clearly visible.

❌ No fat reserves, muscles appear weak.

❌ The dog has little energy and may be more susceptible to illness.

📌 Characteristics of an overweight dog:

❌ Waist no longer visible, body appears rounder.

❌ Ribs are difficult to feel because they are covered by a thick layer of fat.

❌ The dog appears sluggish and gets out of breath quickly.

💡 Tip: There are many scales available online for visually assessing dog weight. These charts are helpful for classifying your dog's weight. Be sure to use reputable sources.

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3. Guidelines for your ideal weight

Numerous scales and Body Condition Score (BCS) tables can be found online that provide a visual guide to a dog's ideal weight. These usually show silhouettes of dogs with different body types—from underweight to ideal weight to overweight or obese.

📌 How do you use such scales correctly?

✔ Compare your dog's body shape with the scale, paying particular attention to the waist and rib area.

✔ Use multiple sources, as different scales may be optimized for different breeds.

✔ Feel your dog, because weight can be deceiving – muscle is heavier than fat!

📌 Why are these scales helpful?

➡ More objective assessment: Many dog ​​owners perceive their animal differently than it actually is.

➡ Early weight control: This way you can recognize even small changes and take countermeasures.

➡ Veterinarians use similar methods: If you are unsure, your veterinarian can perform a professional assessment.

While these scales provide a good initial assessment, they are no substitute for individual professional evaluation. Monitor your dog regularly to maintain his ideal weight and avoid health problems.

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4. Why do many dogs become overweight?

Many dogs gain weight over time without noticing it because they eat too much or exercise too little. Common causes of obesity include:

🍖 Too many treats & leftovers – Dogs are often overfed with additional snacks.

🏡 Too little exercise – Many dogs do not get enough exercise in their daily lives.

🥘 Wrong amount of food – Many owners feed too large portions or high-calorie food.

🐕‍🦺 Castration – The metabolism slows down after castration, so the amount of food must be adjusted.

🩺 Health causes – Diseases such as hypothyroidism can contribute to obesity.

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5. How can I get my dog ​​to a healthy weight?

If your dog weighs too much or too little, you can counteract this with a few simple measures:

🔹 Adjust feeding:

✔ Check the amount of food and adjust it to your dog's activity level.

✔ Choose high-quality food with a high meat content and few fillers.

✔ Reduce snacks and replace them with healthy alternatives (e.g. carrots, cucumber).

🔹 More exercise:

✔ Increase daily walks and incorporate active games.

✔ Plan regular training sessions to challenge your dog mentally and physically.

✔ Use food games or sniffing mats to keep your dog busy while eating.

🔹 Regular weight control:

✔ Check your dog’s weight regularly with a scale.

✔ Use a BCS (Body Condition Score) scale to better estimate body weight.

✔ If you are unsure, consult your veterinarian.

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6. Common myths about dog weight

🚫 “My dog ​​isn’t fat, he just has a lot of fur.”

🔹 Ribs can be felt even under thick fur – if this is not possible, the dog is too fat.

🚫 “My dog ​​is always hungry, so he gets enough exercise.”

🔹 Many dogs do not beg because they are hungry, but out of habit or boredom.

🚫 “A few extra kilos are not a bad thing.”

🔹 Even small weight deviations can have long-term health consequences.

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Conclusion

A healthy weight is crucial for your dog's quality of life.

🐕 Regular weight checks, an adapted diet and sufficient exercise help to avoid being overweight or underweight.

🐾 Pay attention to your dog's body shape and energy - an active, agile dog with a visible waist is usually at its ideal weight.

🔎 If you are unsure, a veterinarian or nutritionist can help determine the right weight and feeding for your dog.