How to Tell If Your Dog Is Eating Too Much or Not Enough
Humans aren’t the only ones that should be watching their weight. Dogs can also be overweight
or underweight. And it’s important to identify whether they’re in a healthy weight range to prevent any potential health risks.
As pet owners, it is our responsibility to ensure that our beloved fur babies get the nutrients they need. However, it can be difficult to tell if what they’re eating is too much or not enough, especially since they can’t directly communicate with us. Fortunately, there are ways to find out whether your dog is on the heavier or lighter side.
Low Energy
Low energy is one of the most common signs your dogs aren’t getting enough nutrients in their bodies. Remember, food fuels the body. And so, if they’re not eating enough, they won’t have sufficient energy to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Fromm Family Gold Coast Weight Management Dry Dog Food
If your dog is typically quite energetic but then suddenly starts slowing down, this can clearly indicate low energy. However, it can be a bit harder to tell in dogs that were never quite active in the first place. In this case, you would have to pay more attention to see if they’re moving less than normal and have become lethargic.
Defined Waist
Healthy and active dogs should have a defined waist. If you’re unsure what a defined waist looks like in dogs, you can try feeling along their rib cage. If you are able to feel their ribs with a bit of pressure, then your dog is probably in a healthy weight range.
However, if you have trouble finding their ribs, it could be that there is too much fat getting in the way. In this case, your dog may be overweight and would need some adjustments in their diet and exercise.
Dull or Sparse Coat
A dog’s coat can say a lot, especially in terms of their health. When your dog’s coat looks sparse or dull, then it could be a sign that they aren’t eating enough.
The growth of fur depends on the nutrients a dog receives. When they receive enough fatty acids in their food, their coat will look soft and shiny. And fatty acids are often found in most dog food. So, it shouldn’t be a problem to get enough fatty acids unless your dog isn’t eating enough food.
Another sign of an underfed dog is dandruff. Dandruff in dogs can often indicate nutritional deficiencies.
Vomiting
Dogs sometimes vomit. And that’s normal. But when they vomit a lot, it could be a sign of overeating.
When a lot of food is ingested at once, the dog’s stomach may not be able to handle the volume of it. And so, the dog ends up vomiting the food instead of digesting it. So, it’s quite possible that a dog is overeating even if they aren’t gaining weight because they may just be vomiting it.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to get the right amount of nutrients in your dog to allow them to live a long and healthy life. But there is such a thing as too much. So, aside from making sure your dog is eating enough, you should also ensure that they aren’t eating more than they can handle.
Give your dog delicious and nutritious dog food from Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming Bentonville. We are a pet store in Bentonville that covers all your basic pet supply needs. We also have a certified dietitian and pet nutrition specialist on board to help your dog get the nutrients they need. Shop now!