Canine obesity is a serious condition and one that can hinder the mobility and well-being of the animal. The obese dog can have many reasons behind it: genetic predisposition, related diseases, inadequate diet, lack of physical exercise, among others. In addition, the disease can interfere with several systems of the dog's organism and trigger other health problems. But how todifferentiate between a dog at the ideal weight and a fat dog? To help you, the Paws of the House has put together an infographic illustrating dogs' body levels and when it's a cause for concern. check it out!

How to identify an obese dog?

It is not difficult to know if your dog is too thin or overweight. Basically, you need to look at his body structure from two angles: from above and from the side. The fat dog, for example, will have a very thick layer of fat on the chest and abdomen, which reaches the base of the tail. In the malnourished animal, the bones of the pelvic region, ribs and abdomen are very apparent, withoutno fat. See the characteristics of each body weight:

Very thin: in a case of malnutrition, the dog's entire bone structure is very apparent and raised. There is clearly no fat present to surround the bones. Other signs are also noticeable, such as bulging eyes, weakness and difficulty getting around.

Underweight: still a case for attention, the underweight dog also has the rib and abdominal area visible even from a distance and no noticeable fat. In the pelvic region, the bones are more protruding, less critically than the previous situation.

Ideal weight: A healthy dog will have vitality and disposition to its advantage. Its body will be slender, but without apparent bones, and it will be possible to feel a slight layer of fat when touching it. The waist has a well-defined silhouette.

Overweight: if you feel a thicker layer of fat when you touch the animal, be alert. The overweight dog will still have palpable ribs, but the waist loses its more outlined shape.

Obese: in the obese dog, it becomes almost impossible to differentiate the waist and chest, as they have a lot of fat visible from all angles. The abdominal distension is very visible. The animal needs an urgent intervention to lose weight and regain its physical shape. At this level, it is already possible that he has developed some disease due to canine obesity and has difficulties inmove.

How to help a fat dog lose weight?

Because it is a very serious problem and can trigger other health problems, canine obesity needs immediate treatment, which consists of a complete change in the animal's lifestyle. First of all, it is very important to take the dog to the vet for a general check-up. Only then will it be possible to make a very focused dietary and exercise plan for your dog: it is possible that the dog'sanimal has to make the transition to an obese dog food or a light food.

Exercise will also enter the pet's routine: dog walking is a must for any animal. In the case of the fat dog, the practice needs to be intensified with longer walks and more times a day (in this case, it is even worth researching a dog walker to take turns with you). Inside the house, something very efficient is to play with the dog more often and not encourage themorbidity: invest in toys and games to stimulate your puppy to run and move.