Hold your dog with both arms, close to the center of your body, as if you were picking your dog up to give it some affection. This is not a good idea if you struggle with lifting heavy objects or have some health restrictions that prohibit you from lifting things.
Be careful to keep a tight grasp on your dog the entire time. You don’t want to accidentally drop your pup if it wiggles in your arms.
Give the dog a treat for cooperating to encourage him to stay still next time.
For example, if the total weight (you and your dog combined) is 215 pounds and your individual weight is 187 pounds, you’ll perform this equation: 215 minus 187. The answer is 28 pounds, the weight of your dog.
These standards will also give you the typical weight range for males and females of that breed. Keep in mind that these standards are the average for “show quality” dogs, and that unusually tall or short dogs may not fall into these weight ranges. If your dog is a mix of two breeds with a similar ideal weight, aim for that general range. If your dog is a mix between several breeds, consider the ideal weights of the breeds that the dog looks most similar to in size and appearance.
Coax the dog onto the platform and have it sit down in a steady position. Record the weight displayed on the scale. Move the dog off the platform. Record the weight of the platform alone. Subtract the weight of the platform from the first measurement. This is the weight of your dog.
Consider bringing a small coffee gift card or similar token of appreciation for the favor.
If your vet is a stickler for following the rules, you may need to just bite the bullet and schedule an appointment with your vet to find out your dog’s official weight.
Talk to your vet about your dog’s weight and ask if they have any recommendations for diet and exercise.
Some dogs are very tall, lanky, and skinny. Others are large and stocky. Most recommendations for monitoring a dog’s weight are based on dogs whose body types fall somewhere in between these extremes. You’ll be able to judge more accurately if you know your dog breed’s normal body shape.
This can be difficult to judge for shaggy dogs, or for some breeds with unusual body shapes, such as English bulldogs and whippets.
You should also be able to feel the top of the breastbone by pressing lightly.
If you cannot see the waist, your dog is overweight. If the hip bones stand out sharply, take the dog to a vet. This could be a sign of a health problem.
Generally, when the dog lies on her side, the stomach should be even with her rib cage. The dog’s belly will look larger after a meal.
