How do I know if my dog is overweight? Here is a dog body conditioning scoring system by Ellyce Rothrock.
1. Very Thin
Ribs: Easily felt with no fat cover.
Tail Base: Bones are raised with no tissue between the skin and bone.
Side view: Severe abdominal tuck.
Overhead View: Accentuated hour-glass shape.
2. Underwieght
Ribs: Easily felt with little fat cover.
Tail Base: Bones are raised with minimal tissue between the skin and bone.
Side view: Abdominal tuck.
Overhead View: Marked hour-glass shape.
3. Ideal
Ribs: Easily felt with slight fat cover.
Tail Base: Smooth contour, but bones can be felt under a thin layer of fat.
Side view: Abdominal tuck.
Overhead View: Well-proportioned lumbar waist.
4. Overweight
Ribs: Difficult to feel with moderate fat cover.
Tail Base: Some thickening, but bones can be felt under a moderate layer of fat.
Side view: No abdominal tuck or waist.
Overhead View: Back is slightly broadened.
5. Obese
Ribs: Difficult to feel under thick fat cover.
Tail Base: Thickened and difficult to feel under a prominent layer of fat.
Side view: Fat hangs from the abdominal and there is no waist.
Overhead View: Markedly broadened.