Knowing the ideal weight for your dog helps you plan a successful weight loss program if your dog is obese, or examine it and find out the reason for its weight loss if its weight is less than the ideal weight. the weight.
How much does a normal dog weigh?
Different dog breeds vary in size and weight, which makes it difficult to determine the ideal average dog weight overall, so veterinary research groups have come up with a way to find out your dog's normal weight, using the Body Condition Score (BCS) index and taking into account the dog's weight. Whether your pet dog is overweight or underweight, your vet can help identify the problem and design a diet program according to your dog's individual needs.
How to Calculate the Body Condition Score Index for Dogs
The Body Condition Index is a common tool used to estimate the amount of fat in a dog's body. The Body Condition Score Index is assessed on a 9-point scale, and dogs that score in the middle of the scale (4 or 5 out of 9) are in optimal health.
Dogs with a score of 1 to 3 are considered very skinny, while a score of 6 or 7 indicates that the dog is overweight, obese dogs usually get a score of 8 or 9, and obese dogs can get obese Excessive scores greater than 9.
The degree of the body condition of dogs is assessed by examining the ribs, abdomen, and waist by looking and tactile, and the ribs must be palpable and covered with small amounts of fat, and when looking at the dog from above; The dog's waistline should be visible and easily discernible at the back of the body behind the ribs, and the profile of the dog should reveal a flat stomach.
Dogs that are overweight will have excess fat covering the ribs, the waist circumference will be undefined and the abdomen will not be tight, and dogs that are thin will have the ribs, pelvis, and vertebrae prominent and lack any tangible fat, and the waistline will be very defined due to the thinness of the dog and its lack of fat.
What do I do if my dog is overweight?
If your dog is overweight, you should implement a reduced-calorie diet to help your dog lose weight gradually, and your vet can help estimate your dog's daily calorie needs so you know exactly how much to feed your dog.
By adjusting the dog's diet and exercising regularly, the dog will begin to lose weight gradually, and the dog's weight must be constantly monitored to help your pet dog reach his target body condition in a safe and healthy manner.
What do I do if my dog suffers from being underweight?
Determining your pet dog's body score and ideal weight can also help you know which dogs are underweight and underweight. about a health problem.
Weight loss without an obvious cause can be the result of many different conditions including parasites, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, Addison's disease, digestive problems, dental disease, stress, or changes in diet.
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