Ever wonder what the ideal dog weight for your dog is? Find out your dog’s weight status using this dog BMI calculator.
How the Dog BMI Calculator Works
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of how one’s body mass compares to one’s height. The dog BMI calculator uses the same formula as that of humans with the addition of the dog breed:
BMI = mass (kg) / height^2 (meters)
Your dog’s breed is extremely important as it determines the average mass and height that your dog is expected to have.
Why your Dog is Overweight
There are various different factors that affect weight gain in dogs. These are:
- Lack of exercise: Dogs need physical activity just as much as humans. Daily walks are a must, while multiple daily walks can be difficult to keep up with.
- Malnutrition: Usually in combination with lack of exercise. If your dog eats more than they need, the excess of energy gets stored as body fat.
- Age & Breed: Some breeds such as golden retrievers are more prone to obesity than others. Moreover, the older the get, the less energetic more hungrier dogs become.
- Neutering: Neutered dogs are also suspectible to being less energetic than they used to be.
- Diseases: The most visible symptoms are diseases or hormonal imbalances, as well as genetics.
Make sure that you contact your vet for a more proper diagnosis and treatment.
How to Help your Dog Lose Weight
If the dog BMI calculator suggests that your furry baby is overweight, it is best to contact your vet and ask for a checkup. If they rule out any health-related conditions and you are certain that they simply need to lose some weight, consult the tips listed below:
- Reduce dog treats: Even if you are giving them healthy dog treats, it is best to slowly begin cutting back on them. Dogs appreciate rewards in the form of a treat, but they also enjoy playtime and petting just as much!
- Get them to exercise more: One way of getting them in a better shape is to increase the time spent during their daily walks. Alternatively, you can look for a buddy for them to play with. That would be both additional exercise as well as a fun time for them.
- Invest in quality food: Despite the cost, better quality dog food can keep their tummy full for longer. This will also help them cut down on treats much more easily.
- Establish portion control: On top of monitoring what they eat, it is important to give them the proper, moderate portion.
- Place their bowl upstairs: If you live in a two-story place, get your dog to make an effort every time they want to eat. By placing their bowl upstairs or further away from their reach, they may feel less inclined to eat more than they need.
| Cat insurance from From | Dog insurance from | Coverage | Contribution | Own risk | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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€8.46 | €12.11 | €3.250 — €6.000 | 10% — 50% | €0 — €150 per year |
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€14.05 | €17.77 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | €30 — €50 per year |
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€12.16 | €17.42 | €3.000 — €5.000 | 20% — 50% | €0 — €250 per year |
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€13.27 | €20,14 | €3.000 — €6.000 | 20% | none | View |
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€13.86 | €14.67 | €2.500 — €5.000 | 20% | none | View |
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€10.56 | €13.14 | €3.500 | 25% | €25 per claim |
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Why your Dog is Underweight
Weight loss in dogs can be caused by a number of reasons. The most common causes include:
- Diet: Is your dog eating enough? See if this is a result of changes you might have made in their food or whether you have incorporated more activity than they need in their routine.
- Age: Dogs normally lose their muscle mass the older.
- Diseases: Many diseases may cause weight loss. The most common reason for this is the animal feeling nauseous or generally unwell, and thus eating less.
Consult your vet for a more proper diagnosis as well as for treatment.
How to Help your Dog Gain Weight
Provided that you have already consulted your vet about this, here are some ways that help your pup bulk up:
- Get them to eat more high-calorie food.
- Increase muscle through more exercise.
- Increase food portion size according to their exercise schedule.
- Consider giving them smaller but more frequent food portions.
- Offer them tasty treats such as peanut butter to increase their appetite.
Check out some other pet calculators we have.