Yorkie weight - YorkieTalk.com Forums

2YorkieDad · 04-04-2009, 02:35 PM

OK - so how do I know if my babie is overweight? When I look at him I am not sure. Is there any rule of thumb for height or length as to what his weight should be? Or is there a place i can feel him to see if he is getting overweight.

Pixel is a rescue, I do notice that when he is feeling happy or nervous he runs to his food and eats. I have tried not leaving his food down all the time and only feeding for breakfast and dinner but he showed signs of puppy hypoglecemia and was larthagic, dizzy etc. So l leave his food down, don't notice him eating all that much, and he is quite active. Still I think he may be larger than he should be.

Help!

cdawnfine · 04-04-2009, 02:57 PM

You should run your hands along his body he should have somewhat of a waist. You should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. If you can not feel his ribs than he is overweight. That being said if he is still a puppy you should not restrict his food. I would speak to his Vet for advice.

yorkiesmiles · 04-04-2009, 03:44 PM

Welcome to YT! How old is he? Are you following guidelines on the food you are feeding him? What is he eating, including teats?

JeanieK · 04-04-2009, 04:07 PM

Puppies should have some fat on them. Just like kids they store it up for a growth spurt. I would leave food down all the time.

skellington · 04-04-2009, 04:31 PM

For the life of me, I cannot remember where I read this but I swear I saw it somewhere! The general rule of thumb:

Underweight: make a fist with your hand and run your other hand across your knuckles. if your puppy feels like this when you run your hands down his sides, he's underweight.

Normal/Healthy: hold your hand flat, palm down and run your other hand across your knuckles. if your puppy feels like this, he's good!

Overweight: hold you hand flat, palm UP and run your other hand over where your knickles would be. if your puppy feels like this, he's a little chunky =)

2YorkieDad · 04-05-2009, 04:32 AM

Thanks skellington for that reply - I guess I needed a visual guideline.
He is now around 5-6 months. I leave his food down all day and night - he eats Natural Balance LID small bites. He never finishes the bowl, he just sort of stops by the bowl when he feels like it and takes a few bites.
For treats - not that many yet - just when he does his business outside. I give him a sugar free homemade cookies thay i bought from a local botique.

MaddiesMommie · 04-05-2009, 01:30 PM

04-04-2009, 02:35 PM	#1
2YorkieDad YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wellington, FL USA Posts: 9	Yorkie weight OK - so how do I know if my babie is overweight? When I look at him I am not sure. Is there any rule of thumb for height or length as to what his weight should be? Or is there a place i can feel him to see if he is getting overweight. Pixel is a rescue, I do notice that when he is feeling happy or nervous he runs to his food and eats. I have tried not leaving his food down all the time and only feeding for breakfast and dinner but he showed signs of puppy hypoglecemia and was larthagic, dizzy etc. So l leave his food down, don't notice him eating all that much, and he is quite active. Still I think he may be larger than he should be. Help!

04-04-2009, 03:44 PM	#3
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Welcome to YT! How old is he? Are you following guidelines on the food you are feeding him? What is he eating, including teats? __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

04-04-2009, 04:31 PM	#5
skellington Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WY Posts: 265	For the life of me, I cannot remember where I read this but I swear I saw it somewhere! The general rule of thumb: Underweight: make a fist with your hand and run your other hand across your knuckles. if your puppy feels like this when you run your hands down his sides, he's underweight. Normal/Healthy: hold your hand flat, palm down and run your other hand across your knuckles. if your puppy feels like this, he's good! Overweight: hold you hand flat, palm UP and run your other hand over where your knickles would be. if your puppy feels like this, he's a little chunky =) __________________ Proud Mamma to Riot and baby Chaos

04-04-2009, 02:57 PM	#2
cdawnfine Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: nj Posts: 1,256	You should run your hands along his body he should have somewhat of a waist. You should be able to feel his ribs but not see them. If you can not feel his ribs than he is overweight. That being said if he is still a puppy you should not restrict his food. I would speak to his Vet for advice.

04-04-2009, 04:07 PM	#4
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	Puppies should have some fat on them. Just like kids they store it up for a growth spurt. I would leave food down all the time.

04-05-2009, 04:32 AM	#6
2YorkieDad YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wellington, FL USA Posts: 9	Thanks skellington for that reply - I guess I needed a visual guideline. He is now around 5-6 months. I leave his food down all day and night - he eats Natural Balance LID small bites. He never finishes the bowl, he just sort of stops by the bowl when he feels like it and takes a few bites. For treats - not that many yet - just when he does his business outside. I give him a sugar free homemade cookies thay i bought from a local botique.

04-05-2009, 01:30 PM	#7
MaddiesMommie LoveMy2 Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 4,060