The Charm of Chubby Pets
Many people look at their furry family members at home, noticing their round, chubby bodies, and can't help but find them incredibly cute and adorable. The internet is flooded with viral videos featuring plump cats and dogs, capturing the hearts of countless viewers.
In fact, some pet owners even intentionally feed their cats a bit more to make their faces appear fiercer and more imposing. This trend highlights how much joy and amusement chubby pets bring to their families and the wider online community.
This article, titled "Pet Obesity Is Not Love, but the Harm of Distorted Aesthetics," reminds pet owners not to underestimate the problem of pet obesity and shares one method to accurately determine the ideal weight.
Understanding When Your Pet Is Overweight
Many pet owners often don't realize that their pets have already become overweight. This is especially true for dogs with thick fur, such as Alaskans, Pomeranians, Bichons, and Poodles—it's genuinely hard to tell just by looking whether they are fat or not. By the time owners notice the excess weight, it is often too late to reverse the effects easily.
Generally speaking, a pet's weight at eight months old can serve as a relative standard for their ideal weight. This age marks a key period in their growth and development when their basal metabolic rate is high, making it less likely for them to gain excessive weight. Owners are encouraged to record their pet's weight at this time.
For example, if a dog weighs 5 kilograms at eight months old, it should ideally maintain around 5 kilograms through the ages of 2 to 10 years. If the dog's weight increases to 10 kilograms as an adult, that indicates the pet has become overweight.
As for whether there is an absolute "standard weight," there is no single definitive answer. Even dogs of the same breed can vary greatly in body shape and bone structure. Take Poodles as an example—there are larger and smaller varieties, and those with bigger frames will naturally weigh more.
How to Check Your Dog's Weight by Feeling Their Bones
Besides monitoring your dog's weight on the scale, you can also check if your dog is overweight by "feeling their bones." Here's a simple guide on what to look for:
- Ribs: Gently feel the ribs on both sides of your dog's body. You should be able to faintly feel the ribs, but not have them completely hidden from touch.
- Spine: Run your hand lightly along their back. With a little pressure, you should still be able to feel the raised points of their spine.
- Pelvis: At the top of the hindquarters, you should be able to slightly feel the "iliac bones," which are part of the pelvis.
If you cannot feel any bones at all, it usually means your dog is overweight. On the other hand, if these bones stick out so clearly that they are visible to the naked eye (commonly known as "skin and bones"), your dog is underweight.
The ideal condition is somewhere in between these two extremes. If you are unsure about your assessment, you can always ask a veterinarian or a pet groomer to help take a look.
The Health Risks of Obesity in Pets
Obesity poses a wide range of health risks for pets. The most immediate impact is on their joints. Excess weight places enormous pressure on the joints, often leading to pain. Pets over the age of 10 are especially prone to developing arthritis, which is irreversible.
In addition to joint issues, obesity can cause problems with the spine, nerves, and endocrine system. It can even affect cardiovascular health and place a heavy burden on organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
For these reasons, it is highly recommended that once pets reach middle to old age, they be kept at a "slightly lean" body condition. This helps minimize the various side effects caused by obesity and enables them to live healthier, longer lives.
