Keeping Your Pooch at a Healthy Weight

Keeping Your Pooch at a Healthy Weight

🐶Keeping Your Pooch at a Healthy Weight 🍗🥕

Here at Happy Poochie, we are about keeping our furry friends happy and healthy. But with all the tail wags and treat temptations, it can be tricky to know if your dog is carrying the ideal amount of weight. That's where body condition scoring (BCS) comes in – a simple system used by vets and pet owners alike to assess a dog's body fat.

Why is BCS Important?

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your dog's overall wellbeing. Being overweight or underweight can put them at risk for a variety of health problems, including:
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Respiratory issues
  • Certain cancers
Regular BCS checks allow you to monitor your dog's weight and intervene early if necessary.

The Aussie Dog Body Condition Scale

There are a few different BCS scales used worldwide, but the one commonly used by Australian vets is a 9-point system developed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) [1].
Here's a breakdown of the scale along with some handy tips for assessing your dog's BCS:

📌Score 1: Emaciated

  • Ribs, spine, and pelvic bones are easily visible and prominent.
  • No discernible fat cover.
  • Tucked-up abdomen.

📌Score 3: Thin

  • Ribs easily felt with minimal fat covering.
  • Waist easily visible from above.
  • Minimal abdominal fat.

📌Score 5: Ideal

  • Ribs can be felt with slight pressure.
  • Waist visible but not pronounced.
  • Tucked-up abdomen but not excessively hollow.

📌Score 7: Overweight

  • Ribs difficult to feel under a slight fat covering.
  • Minimal waist visible from above.
  • No tucked-up appearance to the abdomen.

📌Score 9: Obese

  • Ribs not palpable under a thick fat layer.
  • No waist visible from above.
  • Significant abdominal fat deposit.

📌Tips for Assessing Your Dog's BCS:

  • Use a combination of visual assessment and palpation (feeling with your hands).
  • Stand your dog on a flat surface.
  • Run your hands along your dog's ribcage – you should be able to feel the ribs without excessive pressure, but they shouldn't be visibly protruding.
  • Look at your dog from the side and above. There should be a slight inward curve at the waist and a gentle tuck-up to the abdomen.

Helping Your Dog Reach a Healthy Weight

Once you've identified your dog's weight category (underweight, overweight), here are some general tips to help them reach a healthy weight:

📌 Weight Loss:

  • Diet: Talk to your vet about a veterinarian-approved weight loss food formulated for dogs. These diets are typically lower in calories and may contain more fibre to keep your dog feeling full.
  • Portion Control: Measure out your dog's food carefully and avoid free-feeding.
  • Treats: Limit treats and opt for healthy, low-calorie options like vegetables or small amounts of lean protein.
  • Exercise: Increase your dog's daily activity level with longer walks, playtime, or doggy fitness activities.

📌 Weight Gain:

  • Diet: Discuss a weight gain plan with your vet. They may recommend a higher-calorie food or adding calorie-dense toppers to your dog's meals. Here are some examples of foods/ supplements you can discuss with your vet:
o Fish oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help with muscle growth and overall health.
o Healthy fats: Coconut oil or olive oil can be added in small amounts for a calorie boost.
o Cooked eggs: A scrambled egg or two can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your dog's meals.
o Cooked, lean meats: Chicken, turkey, or lean beef can provide extra protein for muscle building.
  • Monitor Progress: Regularly monitor your dog's weight and BCS to ensure they're gaining weight at a healthy pace.

✅ Keeping Your Pooch Healthy

At Happy Poochie, we understand that every dog is unique. That's why we offer a range of high-quality dog health supplements formulated to support your dog's overall health and wellbeing, including maintaining a healthy weight. At Happy Poochie, our supplements—Agile Dog, Pro Dog, and Zen Dog—are designed to support mobility, digestion, and relaxation using science-backed ingredients specifically for dogs. Explore our range of supplements today and find the perfect fit for your furry friend!   

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