How to Measure a Fat Dog

Overweight dogs suffer from many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and joint issues, so to help your dog live a long and healthy life, weight maintenance is important. The best clue to whether your dog receives the proper nutrition and amount of exercise usually is its weight, so you should know how much a dog of its breed should weigh, and weigh or measure its food. Talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's weight.





Before placing your dog on a diet, consult a veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Level
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Scale
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Instructions

    • 1

      Do the "feel test." Place one hand on either side of your dog's ribcage. If you are able to feel the ribs, your dog is not overweight. Look at your dog. If, when viewed from the side, the dog's belly looks "tucked up" and it appears to have a waist, it probably is not fat.

    • 2

      Look up your dog's breed online or in a reputable book. Find out the average height and weight for dogs of that breed. Females normally are smaller than males. The best way to determine the best weight for a mixed-breed dog is to multiply by three the dog's weight when it is six weeks old. The result will be the ideal adult weight.

    • 3

      Stand your dog on a flat surface with one of his sides touching a wall. Hold the dog's head so that it looks straight ahead. Place a level across the dog's shoulder blades. Once you have straightened the level, place a mark on the wall at the level's bottom edge. Measure from the floor to the mark to determine your dog's height.

    • 4

      Compare your dog's height with the breed's average height. If your dog is smaller than average, it should weigh slightly less than the average weight for the breed. If your dog is taller than the average, it could safely weigh a little more.

    • 5

      Weigh yourself on a scale. Step off. Pick up your dog and weigh yourself again. Subtract the amount you weigh without the dog from your weight when holding it. The resulting number will be your dog's weight. If you are unable to lift your dog, call your veterinarian's office and ask to use the scale there. Otherwise, get your dog's weight at its next appointment.

    • 6

      Compare your dog's weight with the breed's average weight. Take into consideration whether your dog's height is more or less than average.