Dog Overweight?

[Mixeddogsrock]

My dog, Rebel, who we *think* is a coonhound/Lab mix, is starting to get a bit on the heavier side. He is 4yrs old now, and he is ~130lbs. Keeping in mind that he is a huge dog anyways, who is ~ 5ft 10in when he stands on his back legs, do you guys think he is overweight? What are good ways to tell if he is for sure overweight, and what are some good ways to help him lose some weight?
Thanks!

[Karen]

When you run your hands over his ribs, can you feel ribs beneath the muscle? Or do you have to press uncomfortably hard to feel ribs?

Because he's a mix, there's not "set" weight he should be, but at your next vet appointment you can always ask. Dogs' metabolism can slow as they age just like peoples' do, might be time to cut back the treats ...

[Mixeddogsrock]

Yeah, i barely have to push at all to feel his ribs, but there is a bit of flab that jiggles on his sides. Will any foods/vitamins actually help, or should i just exercise him more? thanks!

[Freedom]

Google
canine body condition chart
for a photo and description chart to assess your dog's weight. Here is one:
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine body condit

To help him lose weight and tone up:
- use a dog food made for weight loss, and follow package feeding amounts
- reduce / eliminate all treats
- increase exercise

Good treats which are healthy and help clean teeth:
- sliced raw sweet potato
- raw green beans
- raw carrots

Hope this helps!

[Mixeddogsrock]

Hey, Thanks for all that info. I'm going to give that a try, and see if maybe we can get him to lose 5-10 lbs...Enough that he can run around and i cant see his sides jiggling a bit:p
Thanks again!

[k9krazee]

When looking at the dog from the side, I like to see an obvious tummy tuck. And looking at them from the top, you should be able to see a "waist". You should be able to feel the dog's ribs when lightly touching them, but shouldn't neccesarily be able to see them.

In my opinion, it's MUCH better for the dog to be slightly underweight than to be overweight.

I wouldn't really recommend feeding what the food tells you to feed. Often times they way overestimate how much you should feed. If you're feeding the dog twice a day, you can cut back the amount. If the dog looks too skinny, up the portions a little. Eventually you'll find out how much your dog needs.

Overweight dogs is a big pet peeve of mine. In fact, my family tends to feed my dog much more than I would feed him and as a result he's the heaviest he's ever been. I'll get that 5lbs off of him this summer, only to have him regain it when living with my parents during the school year again.

[Sighthounds4me]

Regarding the tuck-up. This is not necessarily a good indicator in a Lab mix. Labs do not have a tuck at all, so it's possible this dog will not, as well. But I do agree that the numbers do not always tell the whole story. My guys are sighthounds, and as such, look a lot more lightweight than they are. Most people have no clue that my boys are about 100 lbs., because they are mostly muscle, and little/no fat. And the Greyhound does show some rib, but she should, because she IS a Greyhound!