I used to fill Max’s bowl until he walked away. He was always a little overweight. Always hungry. The bowl was never empty. Then I learned about body condition scoring and measuring cups. Simple changes. Big difference.
The Body Condition Test
Feel your dog’s ribs. They should be palpable with slight pressure. Not visible. Not buried under fat.
Look from above. A visible waist. From the side. An abdominal tuck. Max had neither. He was slightly overweight. I was overfeeding.
The Label Is Just a Starting Point
Feeding guides on bags are averages. For average dogs. Your dog isn’t average.
Max needed 20% less than the label suggested. He’s neutered. Lower metabolism. Less active than the assumed working dog. I adjusted down. He normalized.
The Measuring Cup Matters
I used a coffee mug. “About a cup.” It was 1.3 cups. Every meal. For months. That’s 60% more than intended.
Now I use an actual measuring cup. Level, not heaping. Precise. Boring. Effective.
The Treat Factor
Treats add up. Training treats. Table scraps. Dental chews. They all contain calories.
I reduced Max’s meals by 10% when training heavily. Accounted for chews. His weight stayed stable. The math is simple once you do it.
Activity Adjustments
Hiking season? Max gets more. Winter laziness? He gets less. I adjust weekly. Not dramatically. 10-20% either direction.
His body tells me. Ribs become more or less prominent. I respond before it becomes a problem.
The Honest Truth
Feeding isn’t guesswork. It’s observation. Measurement. Adjustment. Most dogs are overweight because owners eyeball portions and ignore treats.
Get a measuring cup. Feel your dog’s ribs. Adjust as needed. The simplicity is the solution.