Author: Furbie’s Place
Is your dog gaining weight? It’s something you should be on the lookout for, especially as a dog reaches his middle years. That might be around the time he is 7, depending on his breed. A dog’s life expectancy varies by breed. His health and life expectancy can be at risk if this is the case, and his later years might be painful.
Dogs will usually eat as much as we feed them and feeding him too much at one time is not healthy. Rather than one large meal, dividing his daily food allotment into two meals would be better. Be sure to let other household members know if you have fed him or set up a system that shows when he was last fed. Perhaps having only one family member responsible might be the best course of action.
As a dog ages his metabolism will slow down, not unlike ours. Overeating then becomes more of a problem. Since different breeds and dogs within each breed can be of different sizes and shapes it is hard to say that there is a specific amount of food he should be given. Either some research or consulting with your veterinarian will help you find what’s right for your dog.
You can determine that his weight is within the normal range if you check that you can feel his ribs, but they are not visible. Also check that his hips can be felt and aren’t surrounded by too much flesh and fat. Checking your dogs configuration from above him, you should be able to notice that his body curves slightly inward behind his rib cage. This will also reflect a healthy weight.
You’ll want to be sure to give him plenty of exercise to ensure he maintains a healthy weight. If he appears too thin, be sure to consult your veterinarian for advice, just as you should if he is overweight. Taking him for regular walks will keep you both in tip top shape.
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