Would you tell someone you thought their dog was overweight?

[capt_noonie]

A couple came in with their dog. The couple were young and in shape. I thought the dog was overweight, if not obese by the first look at her. Then they mentioned "she used to be really overweight" but lost about 3 lbs after she got sick. I asked how much she weighed now, they said about 9 lbs, but really I think she was more like 12. She was a small dog, mixed breed, should have been around 7 lbs tops, she was actually shorter than Uni (length wise, not tall wise, everyone is shorter than Uni tall wise LOL) I didn't say anything, but I just wondered if any of you have said anything. Keeping in mind the health of this baby. She really was pretty overweight. No waist at all, in fact she had a beer belly, bulging out. But I don't want to be a know it all, unless they asked my opinion, like Oh her hair is so soft, what do you do/feed/etc? then that gives me the ok to start telling them all I know.

[sugarmamma]

I would probably say "wow...where does she fall on the charts?" or something to make them think without saying they have a fat a$$ dog

[moshes_human]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

A couple came in with their dog. The couple were young and in shape. I thought the dog was overweight, if not obese by the first look at her. Then they mentioned "she used to be really overweight" but lost about 3 lbs after she got sick. I asked how much she weighed now, they said about 9 lbs, but really I think she was more like 12. She was a small dog, mixed breed, should have been around 7 lbs tops, she was actually shorter than Uni (length wise, not tall wise, everyone is shorter than Uni tall wise LOL) I didn't say anything, but I just wondered if any of you have said anything. Keeping in mind the health of this baby. She really was pretty overweight. No waist at all, in fact she had a beer belly, bulging out. But I don't want to be a know it all, unless they asked my opinion, like Oh her hair is so soft, what do you do/feed/etc? then that gives me the ok to start telling them all I know.

depends.....complete strangers probably not....but someone I know yes and I have.

[Britster]

Hmm... I think it would depend. I've seen some FAT dogs and never said anything to the owners yet. But sometimes I think I should. Or sometimes owners will laugh about it "oh she never stops eating...." and I wonder how they let a dog get THAT fat. Argh, I don't know. It's frustrating.

[backwardsrain]

I see it all the time but I don't say anything about it. I bet their vet has already told them and they just don't do anything. I really don't understand why people let their pets get fat. Dogs and cats don't usually whine for extra food, they just eat what they're given, so it's easy to put them on a diet.

My older dog is slightly overweight and I've been trying to make her lose a little weight, but it's difficult to judge how much to feed her when losing a few ounces is a big deal for such a small dog. I almost have to count kibbles to reduce her food by the right amount. I think it would be easier for a larger dog, though.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

I would probably say "wow...where does she fall on the charts?" or something to make them think without saying they have a fat a$$ dog

Priscilla, just tell them what you told me. "He has no waist!"

[kjcmsw]

Since they mentioned the dog being overweight it's obvious they already know to say something to them would serve what purpose?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by backwardsrain

I see it all the time but I don't say anything about it. I bet their vet has already told them and they just don't do anything. I really don't understand why people let their pets get fat. Dogs and cats don't usually whine for extra food, they just eat what they're given, so it's easy to put them on a diet.

.

You haven't met our 3 dogs! (meaning my families). Jackson and my dads 2 dogs are all whiners, they will sit there and make noises while you eat until you tell them to hush. You would think they were never fed in their whole life, lol.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by backwardsrain

I see it all the time but I don't say anything about it. I bet their vet has already told them and they just don't do anything. I really don't understand why people let their pets get fat. Dogs and cats don't usually whine for extra food, they just eat what they're given, so it's easy to put them on a diet.

.

some dogs do over eat and then look for more. I have a dog that I think is overweight. I have talked to the vet and he said he was fine, just a big boy.
Poor Bailey.. he just loves to eat.. was that way from day one. We kid around and call him tank and such, but I would be upset if someone made the statement he was fat. It would be really bad if it was a stranger. It would be the same if you had fat children, unless you have some medical connection it would cause problem telling someone their child is fat. Thin ice...

[Princess10]

I don't think I'd tell a stranger, but family or a friend, probably so. My mom had a dalmation that was massive....I felt so sorry for him but guess I wasn't old enough to chime in. He lived to be about 12, but seriously he was like an ottoman.
I would want someone to tell me though, if it was done respectfully, if Princess was overweight. A little chunky I don't mind, but when she loses her girlish physique I'd say that's a little excessive.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by kjcmsw

Since they mentioned the dog being overweight it's obvious they already know to say something to them would serve what purpose?

Kind of the reason why I didn't say anything...
but the thing that bothered me was they said "she used to be really overweight" but in my opinion she still IS really overweight. She was like a meatloaf or a roast, really rotund. She really couldn't keep up with Uni running around, and after a few minutes was already panting hard and drinking lots of water. I thought she was a senior at first, she's only 5. (Uni's no puppy, she's 4 already, far from senior I know, but only about a year younger.)

[MauiGirl]

No, I would not tell someone their dog is fat, or their kid is fat, or that they are fat. I just don't think it's right to say that to someone, especially a stranger. Believe me they DO already know, and telling them won't help the situation.

Fat is just a very touch, personal thing to talk about.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

No, I would not tell someone their dog is fat, or their kid is fat, or that they are fat. I just don't think it's right to say that to someone, especially a stranger. Believe me they DO already know, and telling them won't help the situation.

Fat is just a very touch, personal thing to talk about.

I agree, and which is why I didn't say anything. (the owners were young and fit mind you. Actually the lady was probably 100 lbs soaking wet, quite thin.) But I worry for the dog. but then why do so many asian moms (mine and many NOT mine and are not relatives) think it's ok to tell me I've gained weight? Is there a certain age that you just stop listening to reason and say whatever you want? Kids under 7 and seniors over 70 are exempt.

[Baroness]

I personally wouldn't say anything, unless the person was asking and needing advice and mentioned it to me. Someone I knew, maybe...but unsolicited advice never turns out well in my opinion. Weight issues are a very touchy subject and some people will get very upset, and take comments the wrong way, no matter how well meaning the person making the comments is trying to be. Saying something like, "yeah my pup had that issue, or my parents dog had that issue, and we tried this..." would be something that you might be able to get away with without offending, but otherwise I would leave it be.

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I agree, and which is why I didn't say anything. (the owners were young and fit mind you. Actually the lady was probably 100 lbs soaking wet, quite thin.) But I worry for the dog. but then why do so many asian moms (mine and many NOT mine and are not relatives) think it's ok to tell me I've gained weight? Is there a certain age that you just stop listening to reason and say whatever you want? Kids under 7 and seniors over 70 are exempt.

You are right. I just don't see anything good coming out of telling somebody they (or their dog, baby, etc) are fat. It's dangerous territory, and does more harm than good. Etiquette usually prevents us from saying everything we think

Ok, if I sound defensive, it's cause Meika has put on a few pounds, and I see it, but I sure hope nobody else feels a need to tell me. I already feel bad enough, and have to help her take it off. She must be eating the food Tiki turns up her nose at, cause Tiki is too thin, and well Meika is *not*