How bad is a little extra weight?

[yoko]

Yoshi has gained some weight. Not much she is still 'too skinny' to nondog people. She could stand to lose 1-3 lbs. three at the absolute most. I can't feel her ribs as easy as I use to but I can still feel them and she still has a super pronounced tuck.

I know being overweight is bad for them but how bad is a few extra lbs on a dog who is about 35-37lbs normally?

I just ask because yoshi is usually super lean and getting sick like when she bloated made her seem like bones. So if it isn't horrible I kind of would like to have a pound or two buffer on her.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

There is a range of healthy weights, not one specific one, so I wouldn't worry about an extra pound or two. When Tucker got cancer I was so glad he had a bit of a 'buffer' because he lost weight so fast and was reduced to a sack of bones near his death. Keeping a dog super lean is good for fitness but you do take the chance that if something goes wrong they can't afford to lose much at all.

 

[Paige]

Bandit has an extra little bit. So long as the dog doesnt have love handles I think its all good. They dont need to be a fitness model to be healthy. Just like us people.

 

[Emily]

I don't think you're hurting her any. 1-3 lbs isn't much, unless it's very small dog or your really doing a lot of high impact exercise.

 

[Saeleofu]

Especially if she has a history of getting sick and losing weight, I'd tend to keep a couple extra pounds on for reserve. It doesn't hurt that much.

As a side, I thought Yoshi was WAYY bigger than that! Like, 60-80 pounds lol.

 

[BostonBanker]

I also wouldn't worry about it. I specifically try (and usually fail) to keep a buffer zone on Tristan. He's been known to drop 50 - 100 lbs in the course of a month or two when his issues pop up, and I like to have some margin of space before it turns into "He can't go out without a blanket on because people are going to call the police."

 

[Lyzelle]

Zane is a bit pudgy, too, but I think because he holds his weight oddly. He IS overweight, and I can't feel his ribs as easily, but his spine, hips, and tuck are all still very pronounced.

I don't think a *little* extra weight is bad for them. Especially in dogs that can drop a lot of weight at a moment's notice.

 

[yoko]

Ok thanks guys. I've always been really paranoid about making sure she never ends up super overweight. My dad and brother were giving her treats without telling me. I've adjusted her meal size to compensate for the extra she is getting.

Especially if she has a history of getting sick and losing weight, I'd tend to keep a couple extra pounds on for reserve. It doesn't hurt that much.

As a side, I thought Yoshi was WAYY bigger than that! Like, 60-80 pounds lol.

LOL The funny thing is, is that most people tell me she's waaay bigger than she really is XD This is the first time someone has told me she is smaller than they thought.

Zane is a bit pudgy, too, but I think because he holds his weight oddly. He IS overweight, and I can't feel his ribs as easily, but his spine, hips, and tuck are all still very pronounced.

I don't think a *little* extra weight is bad for them. Especially in dogs that can drop a lot of weight at a moment's notice.

You explained Yoshi exactly. She's always been kind of hip-y. Her weight is mostly in her front half.

 

[elegy]

I've given up fighting with Mushroom. I want him to be like 50 pounds. He wants to be like 500 pounds. He isn't a jerk about food when he's in the 55 pound range, so that's where he stays. I think he's fat. He does still have a waist. But he's insufferable to live with when I trim him down, so, 55 it is.