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overweight dogs
3 puppy packs with adult, grain free adult, high protein adult

LOOKING A LITTLE LARGE?

It’s common to underestimate our dogs’ weight and it’s easier than you think to slip into overfeeding.

If they’re looking a little too round, you’re not alone. Weight can creep on by giving too many treats, or simply by taking your eye off the ball when it comes to portion control – or perhaps you need more information about the best food for their size, age, breed and activity levels. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of advice out there to help you get them back to the right kind of cuddly!

the Waltham S.H.A.P.E. Guide uses a flowchart to classify pets into one of seven categories. This approach is specifically designed to be used by owners with no prior experience or training and has been successfully validated against clinical measures of body composition.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DOG IS OVERWEIGHT?

The best guide to finding out if your dog is overweight is by using a body condition score. The WALTHAM S.H.A.P.E guide is designed to help you check your dog’s weight regularly and is easy to use.

S.H.A.P.E.™ Chart Descriptions

Extremely thin - your pet has a very small amount or no total body fat. 

Recommendation: seek veterinary advice promptly.
Thin - your pet has only a small amount of total body fat.

Recommendation: seek veterinary advice to ensure your pet is being offered the appropriate amount of food. Reassess using the S.H.A.P.E.™ chart every 2 weeks.
Lean - your pet is at the low end of the ideal range with less than normal body fat.

Recommendation: increase food offered by a small amount. Monitor monthly using the S.H.A.P.E.™ chart and seek veterinary advice if no change.
Ideal - your pet has an ideal amount of total body fat.

Recommendation: monitor monthly to ensure your pet remains in this category and have him/her checked by the veterinarian at your next visit.
Mildly overweight - your pet is at the upper end of the ideal range with a small amount of excess body fat.

Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to ensure your pet is being offered the appropriate amount of food and try to increase activity levels. Avoid excessive treats and monitor monthly using the S.H.A.P.E™ chart.
Moderately overweight - your pet has an excess of total body fat.

Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to implement safely an appropriate weight loss plan including increasing activity levels. Reassess using the S.H.A.P.E™ chart every 2 weeks.
Severely overweight - your pet has a large amount of excess total body fat that is affecting its health and well being.

Recommendation: Seek veterinary advice to promptly introduce a weight loss plan to reduce your pets weight, increase activity levels and improve overall health.

NB: Some breeds and different lifestages may have different ideal S.H.A.P.E.™ scores. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure.

If you’re concerned your dog might be overweight, the vet should always be your first port of call – don’t try to devise a weight-reduction programme by yourself. It’s best for them to lose weight gradually, so it’s important to carefully monitor your dog’s weekly weight loss, with professional support. Further information can be found in our article: Is my dog overweight?

If you’re wondering about the ideal weight for their particular breed, more guidance can be found in our ideal dog weight article.

a dog sitting next to a camp

DOES NEUTERING MAKE A DOG GAIN WEIGHT?

Neutering does make a difference to hormone levels and energy, affecting a dog’s metabolism, and ability to burn calories. Female dogs generally have a greater tendency towards obesity, but neutering affects both sexes on the weight-gain front. Talk to your vet if you’ve noticed obvious weight gain or have concerns.

a dog waiting for food

LIGHT FOODS FOR FULL BOWLS

Once you’ve got your vet’s advice, they may recommend a lighter dog food. James Wellbeloved™ light dog food has been expertly tailored to meet the needs of overweight dogs, while still including all the naturally healthy, wholesome and tasty ingredients dogs love. We’ve reduced the physical density, at the same time as increasing the dietary fibres and proteins, so you can still fill their bowl while keeping their calories down.

James Wellbeloved™ light dog food:

  • Larger, less dense kibble for a full bowl

  • Provides all the nutrients, but fewer calories for a healthy weight

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