The Countertop Chronicles

Xavier has a great post about fat dogs

If you own a dog, and your dog is fat, take a look at yourself. You are in total control of it’s diet. Use a measuring cup or a tin can to dole out the kibbles, and cut back on the amount. Send the table scraps down the garbage disposal. If your dog is fat, it’s because you feed him to damned much. He doesn’t need dope. You need to stop being one.

Couldn’t agree more. I hate fat dogs, and I hate fat dog owners even more. Its cruel to do to a helpless animal who is fully dependent on you and whats more its gonna cost you a ton down the road as your dog fights all manner of health problems. Plus, don’t you want a dog who can play with you???

If you don’t know whether your dog is fat or not, I’d recommend you check out the Purina Body Condition System (see chart to the left)

1. EMACIATED
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident form a distance. No discernable body fat. Obvious loss of muscle mass.
2. VERY THIN
Ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones easily visible. No palpable fat. Some evidence of other bony prominence. Minimal loss of muscle mass
3. THIN
Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Tops of lumbar vertebrae visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck
4. UNDERWEIGHT
Ribs easily palpable, with minimal fat covering. Waist easily noted, viewed form above. Abdominal tuck evident.
5. IDEAL
Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdomen tucked when viewed from the side.
6. OVERWEIGHT
Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernable viewed from above but is not prominent. Abdominal tuck apparent.
7. HEAVY
Ribs palpable with difficulty, heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be absent.
8. OBESE
Ribs not palpable under heavy fat cover, or palpable only with significant pressure. Heavy fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent. No abdominal tuck. Obvious abdominal distension may be present.
9. GROSSLY OBESE

Rex is a very active 5 month old black lab puppy. We keep him somewhere between 3 and 4. He will fill out as he ages, but for a puppy, thats ideal.

Between my wife and I he walks at least 2-3 miles a day, exclusive of training and fetch. He’s fed 1 3/4 cups of Purina Pro Plan in the morning and 1 1/4 cups at night plus some supplements. He gets plenty of water - as much as he wants. We have never fed him table food, indeed he goes into the crate when we eat. However, he’s starting to pick up the taste for people food thanks to my youngest who enjoys throwing food on the ground. Its a struggle, but we generally control his intake enough that I don’t think it amounts to more than if we gave him the occaisional doggie treat.

Doggie Treats are something else. I don’t do them (though my wife does). I think they lead to disobedient dogs, not to mention fat dogs. My dogs are trained to respond to my praise. Rex has never been, and never will be, rewarded for good behavior with a treat. A well trained dog should be satisfied by doing the job his master demands, and if anything his reward is further attention and more play.