How I Realized My Dog Was Overweight and Fixed It

You never forget the first time someone calls your dog fat. For me, it was a stranger in the park. "Looks like someone's enjoying a few too many treats," she said, laughing. I smiled politely, but inside, my gut twisted. I looked at my dog, Bruno, my whole heart on four legs, and for the first time, I really looked.

He was panting after just ten minutes of walking. His belly swayed more than I remembered. Was this normal aging? Or had I let something slip? That night, I spiraled through guilt, denial, and Google searches. And what I learned? It shook me.



I used to think overweight dogs looked obviously fat. Big bellies, slow walkers, food-obsessed. But that's not always the case. Sometimes, they just look... "well-fed."

Here are the warning signs I brushed off for months:

• Panting after minor activity: I blamed the summer heat. Nope. Bruno was out of shape.
• No visible waistline: I thought his roundness was cute. That was his body crying out.
• You can’t feel ribs without pressing: I hadn’t felt his ribs in a year. I just never tried.
• Frequent napping, low energy: I called him "lazy." Truth? His joints hurt.

The worst part? I thought loving him meant giving him what he liked, treats, scraps, seconds. But the love was slowly killing him.

Questions dog owners should ask themselves:

• Can I feel my dog’s ribs with light pressure?
• Do they get tired quicker than before?
• Has their collar gotten tighter?
• Do they beg more because they’re bored, not hungry?

If you’re unsure... assume you’re missing something. I did. And Bruno had to pay the price until I finally saw the truth.



"Bruno is technically obese," the vet said. She said it gently, but it hit like a truck. Obese? My Bruno? I was flooded with shame. I had failed him. And it wasn't lack of love, only lack of awareness, because i didn't know better.

The vet made me look at a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart. It’s like BMI for dogs:

• 1-3 = Underweight
• 4-5 = Ideal
• 6-9 = Overweight to Obese

Bruno scored a 7.

We weighed him: 38 kg. Ideal for his breed? 30 kg.

"He's carrying the weight of a bowling ball on his joints," she said. That visual? It destroyed me.

And that's not all, here are the health risks she listed:

• Early arthritis
• Heart disease
• Shortened lifespan
• Diabetes
• Liver problems

It was then that I realized that I had been so focused on his happiness; I forgot health was part of that. He wasn’t happy. He was hurting. And it was on me.

That night, I threw out the treat jar.



Changing a dog’s weight isn’t just about diet. It’s a lifestyle shift for both of you.

Here’s what we did. And what saved Bruno’s life:

1. Vet-supervised diet plan:

• Switched to a weight management kibble
• Strict portion control (no eyeballing!)
• No table scraps. Ever.
• Treats = carrot sticks or tiny bits of boiled chicken

2. Scheduled walks & playtime:

• Morning 20-min walks
• Evening fetch sessions
• Gradual increase in walk duration

3. Weight tracking journal:

• Weekly weigh-ins
• Noted changes in behavior, energy, poop, etc.
• Logged mealtimes

4. Family meeting:

• Everyone in the house agreed: no sneaky treats.
• No, "but he looks hungry." This was life or death.

5. Mental stimulation:

• Puzzle toys replaced food rewards
• Hide-and-seek with toys

And most importantly? I changed my mindset.

Love isn’t food. Love is giving him a chance to live longer, pain-free.

Within three months, Bruno had lost 4 kg. His energy returned. His eyes sparkled again. He could walk without limping. And every time he wagged his tail at the door, ready to walk, I felt a jolt of joy.



No one talks about the emotional weight of seeing your dog struggle.

I cried secretly, more than I would ever admit. Every time he limped, every time he looked up at me, begging for food he couldn’t have... it wrecked me.

But what crushed me more? Knowing I had let it happen. Out of ignorance. Out of excuses.

We normalize chubby pets. We laugh at the rolls, the waddles. We say "he's just a big boy." But when the big boy can’t climb stairs anymore? The joke isn’t funny.

I realized something that shifted everything:

• Your dog can’t choose. But you can.
• You control every bite they eat.
• You control how active they are.
• You control what their life looks like.

Bruno started losing weight.

I started shedding guilt.

We healed. Together.

And the joy? God, the joy when he ran after a ball again. When he climbed onto the couch without groaning. When the vet said, "He looks amazing!"

I got my dog back.

If any part of this story made your stomach twist, if you’ve looked at your dog and wondered, is this normal? then this is your sign.

Don’t wait for the vet to say what you already know deep down. Don’t wait for your dog to stop running, stop playing, stop smiling.

Start with a rib check. Grab a measuring cup. Book that vet appointment. Say no to the puppy eyes when they beg for more.

Because loving your dog means protecting their future, not just spoiling their present.

Bruno and I? We made it back from the edge.

You can too.

Remember: You are your dog’s only voice. Be the one that speaks up. The one that shows up.

And the one who gives them the life they deserve.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a dog's breed affect how easily it gains weight?
   
   Yes, certain breeds like Labradors and Beagles are genetically more prone to obesity.
2. Do overweight dogs feel pain while walking?
   
   Absolutely, extra weight strains their joints, often causing limping or reluctance to move.
3. Is it normal if my dog’s ribs aren’t visible but can be felt?
   
   Yes, ribs should be easily felt but not sticking out; otherwise, it may signal under or overweight issues.
4. How can dog owners track weight without a scale?
   
   Use visual cues and body scoring charts or compare photos weekly for visible progress.