Is there a polite way of telling your friend their dog needs to loose weight?

Question

I know her dog is younger than my dog and my dog is 3 1/2. He is a German Shepard, Miniture Pincher mix so pretty medium sized and is pretty pudgy. Is there a polite way to tell her that he needs to loose some weight?

Answer 1

Personally, I think your friend probably already knows. If the dog is grotesquely overweight and really needs attention, it would be worth bringing up to your friend. If the person is your friend, it shouldn't be too difficult to bring up. Just be sure to bring it up as a topic of conversation, and not "point fingers" or tell your friend they are cruel. Chances are there are other factors other than how much your friend is feeding the dog. Some breeds are prone to being overweight, especially after spaying or neutering. Maybe tell her about a dog food you have heard about that is good for that. Sience Diet is a great food, and so is Euchanuba.

Now, if the dog's weight is purely something that "you" have a problem with, and "you" think is unhealthy, based on whatever standards you may have, then maybe it would be best to leave well enough alone. It's up to your friend to decide what is best for her dog, with advice from her vetenarian.

Answer 2

That's a hard one! I know that the ASPCA has a guideline that has diagrams which illustrate the ideal weight for a dog, and how to tell if your dog is overweight. It's very hard on a dog's joints to carry around extra weight. Do a Google search for "overweight dogs" and read a little before you bring this up as a topic of converstion!

Answer 3

Sure, just tell her that her dog could stand to lose a little weight. If she reacts as if she doesn't want to deal with it, then back off. If she responds in a positive way, then be ready with some info on hand that can help her help her dog lose weight.
Try http://www.dogs.about.com for information.

If you can not see a waist line, then the dog is too large. If you can see the ribs, too thin.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Although it is a very big problem when dogs are overweight, again, a MYOB approach is sometimes the best approach or maybe asking if they would like to walk their dog when you walk yours. Asking (as some have suggested where they got the fat dog, is only going to make this friend upset and not into taking any suggestions.

Answer 5

Give her a sample of dog food that is for weight control if he likes it, maybe she will buy it. Also, I wouldn't feel bad telling her, my dog is also overweight and we get comments all the time. We just baby her and feed her at the table, we know were not suppose to, but. Hope this helped!

Answer 6

Well, look up the weight norms for the breed and then say "your dog looks a little bit over weight...i think his weight is supposed to be (whatever you found out about the breed), you might want to ask your vet if he should lose a few lbs"

Answer 7

Is her vet check-up soon? The vet will tell her. If not, just tell your friend that her dog seems a little overweight. Be very polite and tell her that you care about her dog. Hope this helps!!

Answer 8

Possibly claim you and your dog are going on a doggy and mom diet and ask if she would like to join or something. Maybe say "Hey so and so doesnt look really good I think we should take him/her to the vet" and let the vet be the judge

Answer 9

get your facts together, an overweight dog can fall ill far more easily than a dog with good weight. it is hard on their hips. fat dogs die young. no polite way to say that

Answer 10

Instead of calling the dog by name, do the hog call:

"Pig! Sooiee! Pig! Sooiee!"

That should put a clue in your friend's head.
.
.