TODAY'S eTIP™: Is Your Pooch Pudgy?

How do you know that your dog is packing on too many pounds?
Sometimes it's tough to tell just by looking: Very furry breeds,
such as Rough Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, or Keeshonden, may
conceal their spare tires underneath their glorious coats. But if
a dog's looks don't tell, her ribs will. Run your hands firmly
along your dog's sides. If you can't feel her ribs easily, she's
probably overweight. Another way to check a furry dog's physique
is to give her a bath. After her wet fur is matted against her
body, it's easier to see if your four-legged friend is as sleek
as she should be.

If you want a more precise assessment of what sort of shape your
senior dog is in, check out Nestle Purina's Body Condition System
[ www.purina.com/dogs/nutrition.asp?article=292 ]. There you find
nine ratings that not only tell you whether your dog is fat, they
also tell you just how fat she is -- and without either of you
having to step onto a scale.

We work hard to keep our dalmation, Maxx, slender. Someone in the family needs to be trim! :loll:

I've seen Richard Simmons' dogs on TV. They are all chubby dalmations. That is really ironic. Maybe Richard gives the dogs all the leftovers so he can stay slim. :)

I would love to see that!
My pup Moses looks like a ballpark frank. Maybe because I spoil him so. All of our dogs feed at will at a common bowl and do good. Moses puts a new meaning to the word greed, I guess. I take him to the Vets this month and expect a criticism or two.

Our golden has become very overweight. There have been no diet changes and yet....... :huh: It must be the lack of exercise, as we no longer have an acre of yard for her to run around in. She also tires easier, instead of her dragging me for a walk, I often have to drag her especially towards the end of the walk. :sighs: