When it comes to fat Australian Shepherd, you are not alone in experiencing this problem.
Sadly, Australian Shepherds are prone to gaining too much weight. This article will provide you with all the information you require to make the best use of the few options available to us.
Maintaining your Australian Shepherd weight to average is very important for your dog’s health. You can assist your Australian Shepherd in losing weight in four effective ways.
1. Switching to calorie-free dog snacks can help your dog lose weight.
2. Avoid feeding human snacks and tidbits.
3. Increase the amount of time spent playing and getting active with your Australian Shepherd dog.
4. Adjust the amount of food your Aussie dog eats or conduct a food evaluation.
What’s the ideal Australian Shepherd weight?
An Australian Shepherd’s weight range should be understood before making any major dietary or exercise changes.
The weight of your Australian Shepherd can also change with age, so keep this in mind when feeding him.
We’ve put together a list of the ideal adult weight ranges:
• Between 45 and 70 pounds is the normal weight range for a healthy adult male Australian Shepherd (2-7 years)
• From 35 to 55 pounds, a healthy female Australian Shepherd is a healthy female Australian Shepherd (2-7 years)
Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
A dog’s expected weight by age is depicted on a growth curve, which is a critical data chart. It makes it easy for dog owners to see if their pet is meeting their standards. The average growth curve for Australian Shepherds looks like this:
| Age (Months) | Female Weight (lbs) | Male Weight (lbs) |
| 3 | 18 | 25 |
| 4 | 23 | 32 |
| 5 | 27 | 39 |
| 6 | 33 | 45 |
| 7 | 36 | 49 |
| 8 | 38 | 53 |
| 9 | 40 | 56 |
| 10 | 42 | 58 |
| 12 | 43 | 60 |
| 14 | 45 | 63 |
| 16 and above | 45 | 64 |
Why is maintaining weight important for Australian Shepherd Dogs?
There is a long and distinguished history of Australian Shepherd sheepdogs working hard and enduring hardship. These canines must be nimble, quick on their feet, and lean if they are to flourish. It’s safe to say that they weren’t raised to be slackers.
Since this is the case, you should maintain your Australian Shepherd at the lower end of the range suggested above.
SEE ALSO: Is Your Australian Shepherd Not Fluffy? What You Can Do About It
Australian Shepherd’s Length and Weight
The length and height of your Aussie are also important factors to consider when estimating how large he will grow as an adult.
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized breed, as previously stated. That means you should not expect a huge dog to be roaming around your home.
The average height of a male Australian Shepherd as an adult ranges from 28 to 32 inches. From 20 to 23 inches tall at the withers, they come in this breed. When a boy reaches puberty, he grows from 31 to 36 inches long.
Female dogs are smaller than males, as you may have guessed. They can be anywhere from 25 to 29 inches tall, with a range of 18 to 21 inches in their withers, when standing. They can vary from 28 to 31 inches in length.
How to Lose Weight with Your Australian Shepherd
Here are four easy ways you may assist your Aussie trim down at home. They’ll do everything to get their way!
It’s advisable to check your veterinarian before beginning any weight reduction program, since it might be a sign of anything more severe.
Particularly when your Australian Shepherd Dog has lost a lot of weight rapidly or is displaying any other indications of sickness, such as diarrhea or vomiting, sluggishness or lethargy, decreased appetite or any other strange behavior..
1. Make Calorie-Free Treats for your Australian Shepherd
Treats are an essential part of any dog’s daily routine. If we were to write “stop offering all sweets,” we’d be doing ourselves and our readers a disservice since it’s too straightforward.
Treats assist teach your Aussie because they keep him focused on you when you walk him or anytime you want your dog to learn a new behavior or instruction. Treats are essential, in the most basic terms.
Your Aussie dog’s daily calorie intake is likely to increase by at least 100-200 calories if you’re snacking on things like pork ear chews or fatty chews.
This is the average on how much an Australian Shepherd should weigh. Weight gain will occur gradually as a result of this.
Thanks to dog treats like calorie free treats, you no longer have to sacrifice taste or nutrition for the sake of losing weight. That marks a significant departure from the norm for commercial dog treats.
Switch to calorie free treats as soon as possible, and your Australian Shepherd’s daily calorie intake will immediately drop.
2. Put an End to Unhealthy Snacks and Table Scraps
Continuing to feed your dog treats is perfectly acceptable; however, do not feed them any leftovers from your meal.
Many calories may be found in tiny quantities of food. No matter how little a portion of bread, pork sausage, or gravy was on your plate. It’s all about the calories around here!
A daily supply of table scraps will almost certainly lead to weight increase for your Australian Cattle Dog.
Cut remove all tidbits from your Aussie’s diet save for his regular meals and occasional small dog treats for excellent reasons.
POPULAR: Why are There Australian Shepherds with Blue Eyes?
3. Extend Playtime & Exercising
The quantity of exercise an Australian Shepherd receives has a significant impact on his or her general health and well-being. Australian Shepherds should be given 1.5 to 2 hrs of mild to strenuous exercise every day in order to maintain their health and happiness.
If you can, try to increase your Aussie’s existing exercise routine. In addition to burning more calories each day, the more he exercises, the longer his metabolism remains active.
Playing additional games after increasing his physical activity is a great method to burn calories.
Even if you just have five or ten minutes to spare, you may play tug – of – war, dog fetch, hide-and-seek, and chase each other.
If he becomes more active and spends more time playing, his daily calorie expenditure will rise dramatically. Dietary caloric intake vs. caloric expenditure is the key to weight growth or weight reduction.
4. Make Certain You’re Using the Right Brand and Portion Size
Dog food has a wide range of calorie and macronutrient content.
Due to its protein, fat, and carbohydrate content, dog kibble might impact the macronutrient breakdown.
Premium kibbles come in a wide range of protein-rich, low-carbohydrate, and moderate-to-high-fat variations. This is a more accurate depiction of what a dog might eat in nature. The end consequence is a positive one.
As a result of their low cost and high caloric content, low-quality kibbles contain an abundance of carbohydrates. Even while low-protein, high-fat kibbles have a reduced calorie count per serving, they are significantly less nutrient dense.
Premium kibble provides more calories per serving than conventional kibble. You’ll have to swap brands to acquire the right serving sizes.
It’s not always simple to keep track of one’s calorie intake and portions. If you’re unsure about how to cook anything, check the package first.
Observe his weight for a few weeks, and if your dog continues to gain fat, you may want to progressively reduce the portion size.
Getting your Aussie to eat enough calories while still getting enough exercise might take some time. In order to see the effects on his weight, you’ll need to come up with a plan and stick to it for at least a few weeks.
Maintaining Your Australian Shepherd’s Weight Is Essential
The earlier you get started on an Australian Shepherd weight reduction program, the better.
A dog that is meant to be nimble, slender and athletic like an Aussie should not be overweight.
If a dog is overweight, its life expectancy is significantly reduced, as has been widely established. It’s preferable to be slightly underweight than slightly fat in dogs.
Obesity-related health problems in dogs include:
• Kidney Malfunction
• Heart Disease
• Respiratory Problems
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Osteoarthritis
And many more.
When is the best time to go to the vet?
A visit to the vet if there is a threat to the welfare of your dog is a good idea.
In the event that you’re unsure of what’s wrong with your pet, always see a veterinarian.
The first step before embarking on a diet or weight-loss plan is to rule out any underlying health problems. Finding the main reason for your Australian Shepherd’s weight gain is essential to resolving the issue, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
A veterinarian is the only one who can confirm or reject the existence of any health concerns you may be experiencing.
RECOMMENDED: Australian Shepherd Ears: How to Care for Them
What Role Can a Veterinarian Play?
If you or your dog encounters any problems, you can always turn to your veterinarian for help. Your veterinarian is the best person to turn to if you are concerned about the health of your Australian Shepherd.
1. They can help determine if there are any underlying medical issues.
To help your Australian Shepherd shed the pounds, your veterinarian can run some tests, draw blood, and perform an exam to rule out any underlying health issues that could be causing your dog’s weight gain or inability to shed the excess fat.
Dogs that suffer from obesity-related health issues may be prescribed medications or undergo specific treatments by their veterinarians to alleviate their symptoms and lose weight.
2. They’ll Be Able to Provide You with Nutritional Guidance.
After a thorough physical examination, your veterinarian can give you advice on the best diet for your Australian Shepherd if they find no other health issues other than his or her being overweight.
Weight management tablets and food prescribed by veterinarians can also help your dog lose weight and reach their ideal size.
Is Your Australian Shepherd Overfed?
It is possible to tell if a dog is overweight simply by looking at them; this is especially true if you weigh your pet. You can tell if your Australian Shepherd is overweight if you notice any of the following symptoms.
1. It’s Ribs Can’t be felt through Its Fatty Skin.
Healthy dogs should have just enough fat on their ribs to be felt through their fur. By simply touching the side of your dog’s body, the rib cage should be able to be detected by you.
It’s an indication that your dog is overweight if you are not able to feel each rib with your fingernails.
2. They Are Inactive
Those who have owned an Australian Shepherd are quite aware of the dog’s exuberance and even wildness. They love to run and are never without something to do.
As a dog owner, if you observe that your Australian Shepherd is getting heavier and less active, this is an indication they are obese and struggling with their mobility.
3. They Often Pant As They Walk.
Australians are known to pant profusely in hot weather or following a strenuous exercise session. However, they rarely pant when simply going to the bathroom or roaming around your yard.
It’s normal for an obese Australian Shepherd to pant a lot because they’re working so hard to get oxygen into their bloodstream and all over their body.
4. Their Stomachs Are Equal in Size to Their Chests
There is a good chance that you have an overweight Australian Shepherd if it lacks a waist. Your dog should have a chest that projects outward, with a sloping or inclination towards their belly that gets thinner as you get nearer to its tail.
There’s a good chance your Aussie is obese and needs to greatly reduce their weight if you are not able to tell their body parts apart. The more bloated they appear, the less healthy they are.
5. Difficulty Waking Up
It’s possible that your dog’s extra weight is causing them difficulty getting out of a sleep or sit position, especially if you can find no other indicators of distress or discomfort.
Can An Overweight Australian Shepherd Be Dangerous?
As with humans, an obese Australian Shepherd can result in a number of health problems. The importance of regaining an optimal weight cannot be overstated.
Here are a few of the most common side effects of obesity.
1. Lifespan Decrease
The health and well-being of your dog is imperative if you want them to live as long as possible.
Obese dogs are thought to live 2 to 3 years less than their average-weight counterparts. Your dog will spend 2 to 3 years less time in your arms because of eating and moving excessively.
2. Cancer Risk Is Increasing
Obese dogs are associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer for a number of reasons, though more research is needed in this area.
Because of an increase in internal inflammation, insulin resistance, and fat growth chemicals, obesity is being linked to a number of malignancies, some of which are extremely aggressive and deadly.
3. Diabetic complications are more likely to occur.
Humans aren’t the only ones affected by diabetes. As the number of obese dogs increases, it is also turning into an increasingly common illness in pets.
When a dog is overweight, its body has much greater resistance to insulin that causes it to develop diabetes.
READ MORE: Australian Shepherds in Cold Weather: How to Deal With It
4. They may have a difficult time sleeping.
Snoring or squirming in an effort to find a more comfortable position can wake you up in the middle of the night. Your dog’s weight may be a factor in these issues.
A dog’s ability for its lungs to receive adequate oxygen may be compromised if it has a lot of belly fat. If your dog isn’t getting enough sleep, it may become more restless, nervous, and prone to frequent eating.
5. They’ll be less active as they used to be
Their energy isn’t the only positive quality that Australian Shepherds possess. Additionally, this dog breed is known for being obedient, loyal and protective.
As a result of being overweight, your Aussie dog will no longer be able to carry out the tasks that he or she is best known for.
Final Thoughts
You’re not alone if your Aussie is a little overweight; Australian Shepherds are known for their tendency to gain weight.
Identifying the root causes of your dog’s obesity is critical, as is eliminating potential health concerns before attempting to make changes that will help him lose weight.
It’s important to know the average growth curve and expected weight of Australian Shepherds, even if many owners don’t pay attention. Maintaining your dog’s health and appearance is just as important as his appearance.
Overweight and underweight dogs can both suffer from poor health. Consult a veterinarian right away if you think you’ve found your beloved pet in any of these scenarios.
This article may still be useful even if you don’t believe your dog is in a bad situation. Taking extra precautions and altering your friend’s routine and diet is never a bad idea.
Think about what you can do to ensure he has what he needs to live a contented life.
Both of you will be able to live a healthy and happy life as a result!
Do you have an overweight Australian Shepherd? If not, how do you maintain your Australian Shepherd weight on average? Share your experience with other dog owners by commenting down below!
Leave a Reply