What is a Healthy Weight for a Dog?


What is a healthy weight for a dog?

I prefer to use body condition score (BCS) or BFI (body fat index). When a pet has an ideal BCS or BFI, they are at their ideal weight. This method works for the individual animal, regardless of their conformation.

A body condition score estimates the leanness of the pet. For dogs, the main points are:

  • Feel the ribs but not see them (when running your fingers across or perpendicular to the ribs). This assesses the fat under the skin. In lean dogs, there is little thickness, and in overweight dogs, there is more.

  • The dog should have a discernible waist when viewed from above. There should be a narrowing over the lumbar area – behind the ribs and in front of the pelvis.

  • The dog should have a tuck when viewed from the side. There should be an upward slope from the bottom of the chest (sternum) to the pubic bone (between the hind legs).

  • Some breeds have a lean conformation, while others are more stocky, so the extent of the waist and tuck does vary.

  • The points of the spinous processes along the midline of the back over the ribs and lumbar area should be able to be felt with gentle pressure. If they can be felt easily or seen on short-haired dogs, the dog is too lean.

  • The pelvic bones that attach to the spine should be felt with gentle pressure. If they are easily felt or seen on short-haired dogs, the dog is too lean.

Body condition score can be used to adjust the amount of food the dog is given, including treats, to maintain the BCS in a healthy range. Some breeds are more challenging than others to keep lean, and most dogs have perfected the “I’d be interested in a bit of that” look whenever food is around. However, it can be done. Service dogs are typically at an ideal weight – take a look at the working dogs the next time you pass through the airport. The dog’s body condition score tells us if the dog is being fed too much or too little for the amount of energy they use, and the amount of food can be adjusted. Remember, treats contain calories too. Cutting treats into smaller pieces and finding some non-food-related rewards for your dog can help. Weight loss takes time. Some diseases can cause dogs to lose or gain weight as well.

Labrador dogs were studied throughout their lives, comparing those kept lean (BCS 4-5/9 and Hills BFI 20%) vs. those that were mild to moderately overweight (BCS 6-7/9 and Hills BFI 30%). The researchers showed that, on average, the lifespan was longer for the lean dogs, and generally, chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis, were less severe and affected the lean dogs later in their lives.

When arthritis starts to become a problem for overweight dogs, weight loss is the change that makes the most difference. Weight loss takes time, and it becomes even more challenging at this stage of life as habits are ingrained and the dog’s mobility is reduced.

In summary, quality of life is important. Keeping a lean body weight throughout a dog’s life increases the chance of a longer, healthier life and reduces the impact of chronic disease.

The following links provide more information:

How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment


 The Hills BFI (body fat index) is useful and gives practical descriptions. The green zone is the ideal range and the others varying degrees of being overweight and obese.


 


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