An obese dog is something many owners must be very aware of especially after the middle age of about 7 years of age (depending on dogs’ size). A dogs weight can badly put your dogs health at risk and cut their life short as well as causing a needless painful ending.

Dogs tend to be able to eat as much as we choose to feed them at times and feeding your dog till he/she is full is a bad idea at the best of times. A set amount should be given to your dog each day and some notification next to your dogs bowl might help the confusion of who’s fed the dog and who hasn’t.

As your dog becomes older, you will require checking their weight more often as their metabolism will slow down and over-eating will become out of control and a problem for your dog. Obviously dogs come in different sizing’s and shapes so there is not set amount of food that has to be given to your particular breed of dog and a small amount of research or a trip to the vets will be needed to see how much your dog should eat.

Determine the weight of your dog is correct by checking that your dogs’ ribs can be easily felt with little pressure, and are not obviously noticeable. Your dogs’ hips should be simply felt and not are surrounded by excessive flesh and fat, and from looking down on your dog the body curves inwards after the rib cage slightly.

If these are okay then your dog appears to be a healthy weight and this should be maintained all through their life. You must continuously make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and play time to keep a healthy dog. If your dog becomes too thin then a vet must be contacted for advice and help as well as if your dog is very overweight.