It is important to monitor your dog’s weight, especially during the early stages. You can monitor your dog’s weight on a regular basis to determine if they are growing well and if you need to change their diet or exercise regimen to keep them healthy. Not everyone can take their dog to the vet every day to ensure they are at the right weight. We have created this guide to help pet owners make the process of weighing their pets at home easier.
What is the importance of weighing your dog?
We have already mentioned the reasons you may need to weigh your dog. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why it is important to monitor your dog’s weight.
Development in the Early Years
No matter if you have a small or large dog, they all grow quickly during their early years. They reach full maturity in between the ages 1-2 years. Smaller dog breeds are more likely to gain weight while they are still young because they don’t have to grow as fast.
Large dog breeds have to grow quickly, whereas large dogs can go through a lot in a short time. Large breed puppies can suffer from deformities if they don’t get the right amount of nutrition or calories in their first six months. This is caused by the tightened ligaments not growing as their skeleton grows around them. It causes their feet to tuck under, which can be rectified as knuckling.
To monitor your health conditions
Knowing how to weigh your dog at home can help reduce anxiety and stress if they have a medical condition. This can help your dog feel more at ease and have a positive impact on their mental health. This is especially true if your dog becomes anxious about the idea of having a checkup.
Obesity and malnutrition
Malnutrition and obesity are two extremes of the same scale, and they should be closely monitored. Being overweight can limit a dog’s ability to exercise, and may lead to mobility issues as well as arthritis or hip/knee dysplasia. A dog who is significantly under the ideal weight limit can experience skeletal problems as well as stomach problems, heart complications and breathing difficulties.
Many vets can advise you on the best diet for your dog. You can also weigh your dog at home to keep track of their progress.
To recognize health problems
Regularly weighing your dog can help you monitor any health issues that you may be aware of. It can also help you recognize when there is a problem. You should check your dog’s weight to see if they are losing appetite. This could indicate that there is something wrong with your dog. You should make an appointment to see your veterinarian.
How Often Do I Need to Weigh My Dog?
It is a good idea to weigh your dog once per week, especially if they are larger breeds. At the very minimum, once per month. You always have the option of weighing them more often if there are concerns.
Once your dog is fully grown, the need to weigh them decreases significantly (unless there are reasons for concern). You should have your dog weighed at least once every six months. If they are happy with their weight, you can increase it to once per year unless there is a reason to.
What weight should my dog be?
Every breed has its own weight limit, even mixed-breeds! Although mixed breeds have less specific weight limits, they still need to be within the recommended weight ranges for each breed. You should familiarize yourself with the sizing of your dog before you bring it home.
There are many ways to weigh your dog at home
A dog scale is not always available to everyone. They can be expensive and take up a lot of space. You should therefore consider using another scale to determine your dog’s weight. The most common design is the bathroom scale. However, it’s also possible to use an infant scale for smaller dogs if you have one.
It doesn’t really matter what kind of scales you use as long as they have full power and measure consistently. You need to find the most accurate way to get them weighed.
Here are some simple steps to help you weigh your dog.
These steps will help you get the best results when you weigh your dog.
You Should Keep Your Hands On Them While They’re Small Puppy
It is best to weigh your puppy while they are still in your arms, until they can learn to stay put. You should weigh yourself first and not the puppy. Next, pick them up and weigh them. Don’t let them jump out of your arms.
To work out the difference, you can subtract your original weight from the total weight to calculate the difference. This is the weight of your puppy.
You can teach them to sit or stand still on command
You should teach your dog a simple command to keep them still for a few seconds while you weigh them. You could use something like “sit, stand, or lie down.” Positive reinforcement and clicker training are the best methods to teach these commands.
Positive reinforcement is a good way to reinforce your puppy’s behavior. Clicker training can help you create a positive association between the sound and the sound so that they will respond more quickly to your commands.
Keep the same scales
Different scales will give slightly different readings. To ensure that your pet’s weight is correct at every weigh-in, you should use the same home scales. This means the reading is the same as the previous one.
Keep the same time of day
You should always weigh your pet at the same time every day. You can have your pet weighed at the same time every day. It is easier for pets to be weighed first thing because the amount of food they consume throughout the day can vary. This could lead to different results.
Keep your vet updated once a month
Your vet should be notified of your dog’s weight at least once per month, especially if they are young. You will also be able to alert your vet to any changes that might be concerning.
What to ask the vet for additional advice
To be safe, you should pay attention to the following warning signs while weighing your dog.
Sudden weight loss, sudden weight gain, decreased appetite, dry hair or loss of fur could all be signs that something is wrong and should be addressed by your vet. Sometimes it could be a simple problem such as an overactive thyroid or allergies to food or other environmental factors. There is always the possibility that your weight or appetite shift could indicate something more serious. It is better to be safe than sorry.
How to Weigh Your Dog at Home Accurately and Safely Top Dog Adviser
