Monday, June 25, 2007
Is your Dog Overweight?
Americans are noticing the problem of obesity in almost every part of society. Even children are beginning to have severe health issues from obesity. Though it is a good sign that it seems we have plenty of food to go around, the health risks are very real. Weight issues are also a problem for our pets. Dogs in America have it better than any other country, with a huge variety of formulaic dog food on the market and table scraps that could feed small African villages. Obesity is just as problematic for dogs as it is for humans, and for this reason, pet owners should find out if their dog is overweight. If so, then the process of dieting can be begin.
There is a nine point system that most veterinarians adhere to when evaluating the size of a pet, 1 being extremely thin and 9 being tremendously obese. The ideal body condition of a dog is a score of five. In order to determine this measurement, several factors come into play.
The contour of a dog's ribs should be easy to feel with the fingers. Though a small amount of fat should cover the outside of the rib cage, the ribs should be easily distinguished. Ribs that are visible to the eye specify that the animal is too thin, and ribs that cannot be felt through the fat indicate the animal is over-weight. This concept should be used similarly for other areas on the animal's body, such as the base of the tale. Where the tale joins to the body, there should be a slight layer of fat that keeps the bones from protruding but still allows them to be detected by touch. The same goes for several other places such as the shoulders, hips, and spine. All of these inspections should be rated on the 9 point scale and recorded for later calculation. Remember that a score of five is ideal.
The second step of weight evaluation is to observe the size of the pet, first from directly above. By looking down, the contour of a dog's body is easily perceived. There should be a very clear waist area on dogs, or a thinner place in the dog's shape below the ribs, producing an hourglass figure. If the figure is extreme, then the pet should receive a low numeric score, and if the waist is undetectable, or opposite in shape, then a higher score should be noted. A second observation should be taken from the side angle. Dogs have what is known as an abdominal tuck. This is an area behind the rib cage where the abdomen is smaller in diameter than the rib cage. This is the observation that can be quite confusing due to the fact that different breeds naturally have different size abdominal tucks. Greyhounds are an example of a breed that has an unusually large rib cage and an extremely small lower abdomen. It is important to be breed specific when coming up with score for this observation.
Once the measurements have been taken, an average of the numbers recorded will provide a ballpark calculation of the pet's weight evaluation. If the number is over seven, then there is a good chance the animal is at a health risk for obesity. If you believe your dog to be overweight, you should first visit a veterinarian to conclude whether the animal has any other health complications, and if it is safe, a weight reduction plan can begin. A local Vet can also help decide on what sort of diet or exercise program will work best for a particular dog. By keeping a close eye on the size of your pet, you can prevent their weight from becoming out of control and may likely save their life.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
There is a nine point system that most veterinarians adhere to when evaluating the size of a pet, 1 being extremely thin and 9 being tremendously obese. The ideal body condition of a dog is a score of five. In order to determine this measurement, several factors come into play.
The contour of a dog's ribs should be easy to feel with the fingers. Though a small amount of fat should cover the outside of the rib cage, the ribs should be easily distinguished. Ribs that are visible to the eye specify that the animal is too thin, and ribs that cannot be felt through the fat indicate the animal is over-weight. This concept should be used similarly for other areas on the animal's body, such as the base of the tale. Where the tale joins to the body, there should be a slight layer of fat that keeps the bones from protruding but still allows them to be detected by touch. The same goes for several other places such as the shoulders, hips, and spine. All of these inspections should be rated on the 9 point scale and recorded for later calculation. Remember that a score of five is ideal.
The second step of weight evaluation is to observe the size of the pet, first from directly above. By looking down, the contour of a dog's body is easily perceived. There should be a very clear waist area on dogs, or a thinner place in the dog's shape below the ribs, producing an hourglass figure. If the figure is extreme, then the pet should receive a low numeric score, and if the waist is undetectable, or opposite in shape, then a higher score should be noted. A second observation should be taken from the side angle. Dogs have what is known as an abdominal tuck. This is an area behind the rib cage where the abdomen is smaller in diameter than the rib cage. This is the observation that can be quite confusing due to the fact that different breeds naturally have different size abdominal tucks. Greyhounds are an example of a breed that has an unusually large rib cage and an extremely small lower abdomen. It is important to be breed specific when coming up with score for this observation.
Once the measurements have been taken, an average of the numbers recorded will provide a ballpark calculation of the pet's weight evaluation. If the number is over seven, then there is a good chance the animal is at a health risk for obesity. If you believe your dog to be overweight, you should first visit a veterinarian to conclude whether the animal has any other health complications, and if it is safe, a weight reduction plan can begin. A local Vet can also help decide on what sort of diet or exercise program will work best for a particular dog. By keeping a close eye on the size of your pet, you can prevent their weight from becoming out of control and may likely save their life.
About the Author: Dean Burton is the owner of MyDreamPuppy.com, a leading provider of puppies for sale. For more information, please visit MyDreamPuppy.com.
Labels: dog rescue, pet adoption, pet finder
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