I would rather my dog be a little thin than too fat
No All dogs must have certain individual differences between them, so judging the fatness of a dog cannot fully comply with the so-called standards. These data can only be used as a reference. Therefore, if the dog's weight is within the range of these standards, then there is no need to worry too much. We can think that the dog's body is still relatively normal. In addition to judging whether the dog is normal from the body weight, a certain inference can also be made from the appearance.
The judgment of whether dogs and cats are fat or thin is actually quite subjective. Sometimes the judgment of whether a dog is fat or thin will vary from person to person. Some veterinarians who are fatter may be more tolerant of dogs' obesity levels. There are two sets of scales most commonly used in the United States to measure body shape. One is a score from 1 to 5, and the other is a score from 1 to 9, with 1 being the thinnest. For dogs and cats, a scale of 1 to 9 is most commonly used.
The scoring scale for dogs and cats is basically the same. The standard is easier to measure for short-haired pets, because dogs with too long coats can easily cause visual illusions. 1 to 3 is too thin, 4 is thin, 5 is ideal, and 6 to 9 is too fat.
Rating 1. From a distance, no fat can be felt in the ribs, lumbar spine and pelvis, and there are obvious signs of muscle shrinkage.
Score 2. The ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvis are easily visible, fat cannot be touched, and there are signs of slight muscle contraction.
Rating 3. The ribs are easy to feel and may be visible. The protrusion at the top of the lumbar vertebrae can be seen. The pelvis is slightly over. There is a pronounced waistline and interrupted lower abdomen.
Rating 4. The ribs can be easily touched and there is a little subcutaneous fat. The waistline is easily visible from the top. The lower abdomen is significantly interrupted.
Score 5. The ribs can be felt and there is a lot of subcutaneous fat. The waistline can be seen from the top. The break of the lower abdomen can be seen from the side.
Pay attention to diet and exercise regularly to control the body shape of your dog
Rating 6. The ribs can be felt There is slightly excess subcutaneous fat. The waistline can be seen from the top but is not obvious. The flat belly of the dog cannot be seen.
Score 7. The ribs are difficult to feel, and there is a lot of subcutaneous fat. There is obvious fat accumulation at the lumbar spine and the root of the tail. The interruption in the dog's lower abdomen can be seen, and the cat has a lot of belly fat.
Score 8. The ribs cannot be touched out or require a lot of pressure. There is a lot of subcutaneous fat. There is a lot of fat accumulation in the lumbar spine and the root of the tail. The dog has no waistline. The dog's lower abdomen is uninterrupted, and the cat's belly is obviously swollen.
Score 9. A lot of fat accumulates in the chest, spine, and tail base. Neck, hands and feet. Dogs have no waistline or interrupted abdomen, and cats have a significantly enlarged belly.
Generally speaking, It is also recommended that the optimal body shape of dogs and cats should be controlled at two levels of 4 or 5. A good body shape can extend life and reduce the chance of various diseases, including endocrine diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cancer, etc. etc. Reducing the amount of exercise, controlling the diet according to the calorie content of the food package, or using special prescription food for weight loss can help dogs or cats lose weight, but they must also pay attention to reasonable arrangements and control. Thin dogs should be checked for gastrointestinal diseases. Of course, regular deworming is also very necessary.
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