How To Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight

An active dog is a healthy dog, right? Because when your adventure buddy is tracking a scent or charging down a trail, weight issues are the last thing on your mind. But even adventure dogs can tip the scales if their food intake doesn’t match their energy needs. And sometimes it’s easy to overdo the treats after a long day outdoors.

Weight Management for Active Dogs

Maintaining a healthy weight matters just as much for an adventure buddy as it does for a couch-loving pup. Here’s how to tell if your dog is overweight, how to spot signs of underweight and obesity, and how to dial in a healthy routine.

Savvy On Either Side of the Scale

Early signs of weight gain are easy to spot. A hands-on check and a good look at your dog’s body shape are how to tell if your dog is overweight or underweight. (It’s less common, but sometimes active dogs can be underweight, especially if they’re burning serious calories daily.)

But when it comes down to it, it’s your vet’s expertise that matters when it comes to assessing your dog’s body condition. Trust their feedback and be honest about the amount and type of food and treats you feed your companion. And don’t take it personally if they indicate your dog needs to lose weight.

Too Chunky?

Feel their ribs: You should be able to easily feel the ribs under a thin layer of skin and muscle without pressing hard. If you need to dig or can’t find them at all, your dog could be carrying extra fat.
Look from the sides: Healthy dogs have a noticeable abdominal tuck. Their belly rises up after the ribcage toward the back legs.
Look from above: From above, you should see an hourglass shape: a narrowing at the waist behind the ribs. A straight or bulging shape could signal excess weight.
Listen and watch: If you notice your dog panting heavily with mild activity, slowing down on trails they used to love, or struggling to jump into the truck, it could also point to weight sneaking up.

Too Skinny?

Look for bones: Check for a bony appearance. If you can easily see your dog’s ribs, spine and hip bones protruding without having to feel for them, it’s a clear sign your dog is underweight.
Feel for fat: Run your hands over your dog’s body. Little to no fat padding over the bones, especially around the spine, may indicate they’re too lean.
Lack of muscle mass: Muscle loss (also called muscle atrophy) is a key sign of underweight and leads to a loss of strength and mobility. Your pup’s limbs will be thin or bony, with less muscle in hindquarters or shoulders.
Poor energy and coat quality: An underweight dog just doesn’t have energy, even for adventures they normally enjoy. Their coat may become dull or brittle, with fur loss or skin problems from a lack of essential nutrients in their diet. They’ll shiver and have trouble staying warm in the cold.

Whether your dog needs to gain a few pounds or shed some, weight management keeps them strong, healthy and ready for adventure. Regular checks, balanced nutrition and knowing how to tell if your dog is overweight will keep you alert to their condition, and can make all the difference.

Healthy Inside and Out

Being overweight has a big effect on your dog’s internal health. Extra pounds can stress a dog’s joints, heart, and lungs. Being heavy increases the risk of arthritis, diabetes, and even shortens lifespan. On the flip side, a dog who’s too lean might not have enough stamina reserves, heal slowly from injury, or withstand tough conditions. A powerful, fit dog has enough fuel to roam for miles, but not so much that the extra pounds will slow them down or put them at risk.

Proper Caloric Intake for Active Dogs

Weight management for active dogs means dialing in the right calorie balance for their unique needs. A highly active working dog needs more calories than a companion dog who sticks to short daily walks. But it’s not just about piling food into their bowl.

At Black Gold Explorer, feed guidelines are clearly marked on our dog food bags. But these are just a starting point. Every dog is different, and there is no one measure that works for all dogs. You may have started them on a performance recipe but is their activity level high enough to justify feeding this recipe year round? Or maybe you started with a leaner recipe but it doesn’t apply anymore as they become more active and struggle to keep the weight on. And just like us humans, what dogs eat and how they maintain weight changes with age.

So be aware that you may need to drop the amount of food in their bowl, and sometimes you may need to increase it. Base the feeding amount on everything you know about your dog’s activity level and body condition. You’re the expert here.

Smarter Ways to Fill Their Bowl

Know your dog’s ideal weight. Your vet can help you determine a healthy target range.
Calculate resting needs first. Your dog burns calories just living. From there, factor in activity levels. Some dogs may need twice the resting amount if they’re highly active.
Adjust for seasons. Activity levels often change with the weather. Trail runs in summer might drop to casual hikes in winter. Match calories to real-world exercise.
Choose high-quality, nutrient-dense food. Not all calories are equal. Look for formulas that support muscle maintenance and joint health, without fillers.
Watch the extras. Treats and table scraps add up fast. Stick to healthy treats or use part of the daily kibble allotment for training rewards.
Keeping a food journal or using a feeding app can help you stay on track. Your vet will appreciate the records and you can adjust quickly if you notice body changes.

Tips for Maintaining Your Dog’s Healthy Weight

Helping your dog stay at their best isn’t complicated. Small habits go a long way:

Weigh regularly. Use a home scale for small dogs (you + dog minus your own weight) or check in at the vet for bigger breeds.
Hands-on checks. Run your hands over your dog weekly. Feel for ribs, spine, and waist definition.
Keep them active. Regular exercise keeps muscles strong and burns calories. Hike, swim, fetch, trail run: rotate activities to keep things interesting.
Feed with purpose. Instead of free feeding, offer measured meals. Know exactly how much they’re eating.
Adjust for age. As dogs mature, their metabolism may slow down even if they stay active. Keep an eye out and adjust food and exercise as needed.

Special Weight Considerations for Active Dogs

Because your dog is active, you might not notice small weight changes right away. Dogs that are fit and strong can carry extra pounds without obvious signs until injury or health issues pop up.

Active dogs also:

Build muscle. Muscle mass can make them heavier without being fat. Focus more on body condition (rib checks, waistline) than just weight alone.
Get hungrier after big days. It’s fine to feed a little extra after intense hikes or multi-day trips but balance it out once you’re back to a regular routine.
Need joint protection. Even a few extra pounds can mean more wear and tear on joints. Maintaining lean muscle mass and a healthy weight reduces long-term damage.

Keep Your Trail Buddy StrongYour dog isn’t just along for the ride. They’re your adventure partner. So hunt. Hike. Chase a sunrise or a sunset. When you know how to tell if your dog is overweight or underweight, you’ll keep your buddy in peak shape for years of memories ahead.