Many pet parents aren’t sure until it’s pretty obvious. Vets use a system called the Body Condition Score (BCS), but you can do a quick check at home. Here’s how to tell if your dog might be overweight:
🐾 Signs Your Dog is Overweight
- Ribs Check – Run your hands along your dog’s sides.
- Healthy weight: You should be able to feel the ribs easily but not see them sharply.
- Overweight: You can’t feel the ribs without pressing through a layer of fat.
- Waistline Test – Look at your dog from above.
- Healthy weight: There should be a visible waist behind the ribs (an hourglass shape).
- Overweight: The waist is absent or bulging outward.
- Side View – Look at your dog from the side.
- Healthy weight: The belly should tuck up slightly toward the back legs.
- Overweight: The belly hangs down with little to no tuck.
- Energy & Mobility – Overweight dogs may tire easily, pant more, or struggle with stairs and jumping.
🏥 When to Check With a Vet
If you’re unsure, your vet can score your dog on the 1–9 BCS scale, where 4–5 is ideal, 6–7 is overweight, and 8–9 is obese. Extra weight raises the risk of arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and shorter lifespan.