Is MY Pet Overweight?
Your pet’s breed type and body structure should be taken into consideration when determining whether or not your pet is overweight. Ideally, the best way to tell is by examining your pet both visually and by touch. Judging whether or not a dog is overweight is far easier than judging a cat. Cat’s can be heavily coated or have excess skin which can make them appear to be obese when actually they are not. So feeling your feline furry friend is a better indicator. In general, cats should look and feel sleek without a huge belly or pads of fat on their hips.
Your canine friend on the other hand can be examined both ways. Look at your dog from the side as he stands. You should be able to see good definition between the rib cage and the abdomen. If you cannot tell where the ribs end and the abdomen begins, your dog is most likely overweight. When examining your dog by touch, you can tell a lot by feeling his rib cage. A weight healthy dog has a thin layer of fat over the ribs. If you can actually put your fingers between each rib, your dog is too thin. If you cannot feel his ribs, your dog is too fat. The more overweight the dog is, the heavier the layer of fat will feel. Fat can also be present along his back, over the hips and over the abdomen.
Pets kept at a proper weight will live longer and more comfortable lives. It is up to us as pet owners to make sure we control their calorie intake and increase their exercise. Dog caskets come in a large variety of styles and sizes to accomodate the smallest of toy sizes up to the largest of breeds. Measure from the top of the head to the top of the tail for length. Then from the top of the shoulder to the bottom of curled legs when your pet is lying down for proper width.