In this article you will know the answer to the query “Skinny Bulldog“.
Its known that bulldogs are chubby and their cuteness makes them even more appealing. The question is how big should they be? At what point does it become unhealthy and your dog is actually overweight?
Are there any risks involved here? If they’re too skinny what will happen? Do some breeds of bulldog have an inherent tendency to be skinny? Hold on because we’re about to go down a rabbit hole.
What is a healthy weight for a bulldog?
Your dogs overall health and wellbeing depend on maintaining a healthy weight and being physically fit. Our pets are no different from us in this respect. Dogs’ ideal weight varies with age breed size and size but there are some general guidelines that can help you determine whether he should lose or gain a few pounds.
If you do not want to take your pup to the vet you can simply look at him. Its that simple. His waist should be clearly visible from above and his sides should be flat. In the case of an oval-shaped dog he is probably pudgy and needs some exercise or fewer treats. Even dogs have trouble with obesity.
Observing your pup from the side will reveal that his tummy sags if he is overweight. When a dog is at a healthy weight its tummy is tucked up slightly.
Alternatively if you can clearly see your pups ribs he probably needs to be fattened up. It might be that his current diet isnot working that well or he has some other ailment causing him to lose weight.
When a dog is healthy and fit its ribs are easily felt under its skin without pressing too hard but they’re not so prominent that you can play the xylophone on them.
Bulldogs tend to appear pudgy because of their size and stocky shape but these guidelines apply to them as well. Make sure your pup goes to the vet for a checkup if you’re not sure whether hes healthy.
What are the risks to a bulldog of being overweight?
The shape and size of bulldogs make them susceptible to a number of health issues. Overweight Rovers can suffer from some severe respiratory problems especially if they are overweight.
The nasal cavities of bulldogs are usually squashed which makes breathing extremely difficult. Because of this they are susceptible to breathing attacks. The extra weight they’re carrying around puts more pressure on their bodies when they’re overweight.
In order to get a decent amount of air into their lungs they must now work even harder. Thus even before they exercise they’re overexerting themselves just to stay alive. This is not acceptable.
Puppies that are overweight have other health problems such as joint pain arthritis diabetes skin problems kidney disease liver problems limited mobility and high blood pressure. In other words its best to keep your pup in good shape and at a healthy weight.
Five ways to help a skinny Bulldog
Overweight dogs are common but what about dogs who are on the skinny side? Theres nothing wrong with you as a dog owner but the poor thing just can not seem to gain weight. Is there something you can do?
1. Medical Issues
The first thing you need to do is make sure your pup is healthy. A dogs weight loss can be caused by worms or parasites hepatitis diabetes and bowel infections. Moreover most of these depress your pups appetite so he would not eat as much as he should in the first place. The lack of appetite further compounds the effects of whatever medical condition you may be experiencing.
Therefore if you think your pup is underweight have him checked out by a veterinarian. You should implement the next phase of the plan once you are sure he is not suffering from any medical issues.
2. Track Everything
Honestly. Every aspect of your dogs day should be tracked: his meals and mealtimes how much he ate how much exercise he got and when his general behavior and any other thing that seems noteworthy during the day.
With this information you could identify triggers in your pups routine or environment that causes the weight loss or lack of weight gain. Weigh your pup once a week so that you can keep track of his weight. Perhaps you’ll see a pattern that can help you solve the problem.
3. Change His Diet
Captain Obvious I understand. If hes otherwise healthy but not gaining weight its probably because hes eating the wrong things or not enough of the right things. Its possible that your pooch does not like what you’re feeding him. Pets can be both fussy and opinionated just like their human owners with specific preferences and opinions. Maybe thats the meaning behind that look. Whenever you serve him food he gives you the stink eye right before he sulks on the couch.
You may need to change the food you give your furry friend. Perhaps it would be a good idea to gradually introduce this figuring out what he likes and what keeps him healthy. Consult your veterinarian if you have any questions.
It is not uncommon for our fur kids to need human food supplements such as boiled eggs roasted chicken or plain broth. Talk to your veterinarian about what is appropriate for your pup.
Is it possible that your dog dislikes dry dog food? The dry dog food might be difficult for your pup to chew if he has sensitive teeth especially if he is older. Try adding water to the dry food. Softening things up a bit will enable him to chew them with ease.
After that there will be snacks. Mixing ground meat cheese and eggs in your pups diet could give him an energy boost when he needs it most. Making these is super easy and they can even be frozen in bite-sized chunks.
4. Small Regular Meals
It is common for people to feed their dogs two large meals per day. Especially if you work away from home this system is convenient. Its not the best for digestion however. As a result serve more smaller meals throughout the day rather than feeding your pup two heavy meals per day.
Whenever you do this do not shock the poor pooch by suddenly changing things. Consider breaking up his meals gradually introducing small main meals interspersed with healthy snacks. Once you reach the required amount of regular meals reduce the size of the meals while increasing the size of the snacks.
You keep him on this new routine for a while so both his stomach and mind can get used to it.
5. Exercise
Guys if you sit all day on the couch you cannot be healthy. Dogs and humans alike are affected by this. Additionally let your dog get regular age- and breed-appropriate exercise alongside eating healthy.
In place of gaining fat your pup will now gain muscle which is much healthier. Your dog may be a total couch potato now so go easy on him. Walk him for a short time and do not over-exert him.
There is a thing called muscle fatigue which can cause serious injuries. Keep a close eye on how much he can handle as you gradually increase the pace of his workout.
Are some types of Bulldogs more skinny than others?
An English Bulldog French Bulldog American Bulldog (Scott and Johnson) and Old English Bulldog are the four main types. Bulldogs are all short stubby and extremely cute. There are some American Scott types that tend to be skinnier than the rest however. As a result its build is more athletic and less muscular than those of its sister breeds.
Even though bulldogs are typically not as thin as Great Danes for example the Scott type seems a bit daintier.
Conclusion
It is important for bulldogs to maintain a healthy body weight even though they are generally stubby and muscular. When your pup is overweight its time to take action to reduce its weight. Overweight pets are prone to medical complications. The same thing goes for pups that are too thin – a little fattening up and proper exercise will have them in great shape in no time. Be sure to consult your veterinarian as well to rule out medical conditions that could exacerbate the problem.
Bulldogs of the American Scott breed tend to be skinnier than those of other bulldog breeds. With its cute perky ears and stubby legs it still retains the characteristic bulldog look.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
