BARC

There’s now a tool to help dog owners determine if their pets are overweight or obese – or heading in that direction. Spend a few minutes taking the BARC (Body Assessment Rating for Canines) survey to determine if it’s time to speak to your veterinarian about tackling weight loss measures.

Is your dog of a breed that is prone to obesity, such as retrievers (Labrador and golden), beagles, basset hounds, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, shelties, and terriers? Yes No Do you have a multi-dog house? (Dogs in multi-dog households tend to eat more and faster than those in one-dog households.) Yes No Is your dog over 5 years old AND still being fed the same type and amount of food as when younger? Yes No Feel your dog’s ribs. Do you find it difficult to determine where one rib ends and one begins? Yes No Stand at your dog’s side and look at the tuck-up – the belly area between the ribcage and hindquarters. Is the body more “square-shaped” in this area? Yes No Do you regularly feed your dog table scraps and/or multiple non-meal treats each day? Yes No When you feed your dog, do you just pour the food into the bowl (rather than giving a specific measured amount each time)? Yes No Does your dog have difficulty standing up or jumping on the couch? Yes No Does your dog get less than 20 to 30 minutes per day of outside exercise/play time? Yes No This survey is not a substitute for a visit to and evaluation by a qualified veterinarian.