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Dog weight chart - what a healthy weight looks like

5K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Sarah W 
#1 ·
There have been a few posts on the Forum recently about how much to feed a dog and how many times per day. I remember a vet friend of mine saying that because so many dogs are overweight these days (and I'm talking in the UK - not sure if it's the same elsewhere) a good weight can seem slightly thin to some people, even vets! She recommended that I check my dog's weight by sight and up the food if he's looking too thin, reduce it if he's looking porky. Here's a link to a chart, similar to the one she referred me too.

Dog Weight Chart Dogs 4 Point Pleasant Park

I think this is a good guide for a healthy dog. Clearly allowances need to be made for the breed and for puppies, but I hope this is helpful to those who are wonder if their dog is eating enough.
 
#2 ·
Thanks for putting this up, it's great! :) Dogs are over weight here too (at least in this state). My Aunt's dog was over weight, but sadly her dog died at 7 yrs from cancer. :(
 
#3 ·
That's really helpful!! I sometimes worry that Finlay is too thin. He's large for bedlington and weighs about 11kg, but he still looks sooo thin :( But reading that chart has made me feel better about that!

It's so sad to see overweight dogs. I've been in a dilemma recently with my friend. Her lab is only a year weight and severely overweight :( He can barely play or run and pants as though he'll collapse any second. I wish I could do something. Maybe I should refer her to this chart :p
 
#4 ·
Sorry to hear about your aunt's dog Cassy - very sad. Lotlot, you could refer to the chart in relation to Finlay "I was so worried about Finlay's weight but I've now found this really interesting chart....." (though your friend may well see right through this so it's perhaps only worth doing if you think the friendship will survive!). Thanks btw for your post on Finlay's food which was a prompt for me putting up this post in the first. place.
 
#5 ·
Yeah, that's a great chart, one I've seen at the vets.

Tessa tends to run about a 3 nearly all the time... looks like an ill fed stray. Lately she's doing better with some TOTW kibble added to her diet. I'm really pleased. She is a picky eater and rarely cleans her plate. I give her all she wants then try to coax her to eat a bit more!

Josey is a 4 to 5 and I think actually would gain too much if I gave him all he wanted all the time. He basically is allowed to eat all he wants once a day and that works out well for him. He too, is somewhat fussy, but more in the sense that he only eats if he is still hungry, then stops on his own.
 
#6 ·
It's interesting about dogs and food. Synnu has never been a particularly hungry dog and seems content on not very much food. Tsieina on the other hand eats like she's been starved - and this has made Synnu a bit more food focussed. His appetite has also increased since he was neutered - not a lot, but he has filled out a bit which he needed. I like the chart because it's stopped me worrying about how much they eat every day. Providing they're fit and healthy and looking good then I'll be dictated by how much they want to eat not by how much I think they should.
 
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