Should I be worried?
 

The vet told me Jo is 'chubby'...not overweight...just chubby, he has this little layer under the skin. Should I be worried? I give them both about 1 tablespoon of soft food for breakfast and dinner. I keep Innova Dog food dry kibble in their bowl and they never empty it...between the 2 of them they might eat 1/2 cup a day if even that. I don't give a lot of treats...maybe 2 a day and they're only about the size of a pea. They seem to get plenty of exercise but we don't go for a walk everyday. Is there something I can do or change that might help? Riley is a 0% body fat kind of Yorkie so he doesn't concern me but I'm getting worried about my Joey. I jokingly tell my husband Jo is like me...short and a little overweight but Riley is like him...tall and lean. ;)

hmmm...did your vet seemed concerned?

No...they said he was o.k....just chubby. I don't know what I can change to keep him from gaining anymore. He's 8" tall and 8" long...small framed and weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces. I can barely feel his ribs and definitely not see them...he has no waistline, he's just straight down the sides when looking at the top of his back.

thats sounds like lexi'.. she is very thick all the way down. she is
8 lbs and about 10 inches long.... i dont know what to do.. havent taken
her to the vet to find out..im worried too..

First of all - different dogs (even different Yorkies) have different builds. There is no doubt that some little Yorkies are shorter legged and a little more stout - while others are longer legged and slim and trim. So - you shouldn't expect your little guys to look the same or have the same build.

Hair is another thing that can make one dog look heavier than another. In fact, my two dogs - my Bichon and my Poodle/pom - if they haven't been groomed for a while - look grossly overweight. Then, I take them to the groomers only to learn that they are both tiny, thin little guys yet. (In the meantime - all my realitives have been insisting that they are "fat" only to say "nevermind" after they come home from the groomers. )

Exercise - my Yorkie totally loves being outside (but he's 8 1/2 pounds - a little larger than some Yorkies). The smaller Yorkies can get plenty of exercise in the house. All they need to do is run and play - and you can encourage this.

It sure doesn't sound to me like you are overfeeding your dogs. I'd just keep an eye on the little one that might be a "little chubby." He may still be sporting some puppy fat, and, with a little more exercise may easily thin down a little. Or he may be just a little heavier - and never really get very overweight.

If he does end up being "overweight" --- diet and exercise are the answer.

Good luck! Carol Jean

I would watch what he's eating and try more exercise. I have a pom who is overweight and it is hard to get the weight off her now. She's 9 year sold and it just kind of creeped up and it's not good for her. i have cut out all treats except for 1 milk bone a day and i have been walking her when the weather is nice.

Try a walk every day if possible.They love it and do lots more running about than in the house,especially if you go to a safe off lead area.Otherwise just keep an eye on Jo and see he doesn't get much fatter.A little extra will stand him in good stead if he gets sick.Just keep his activity levels up.Maybe change the treats to a little piece of chicken or something low fat.

I do realize dogs of all kinds have different builds and they're from different breeders so they won't be built the same and they both have a silk coat that's long so their hair wouldn't really make any difference. Maybe it's genetics that makes Jo hold that extra little bit...they both get the same food, the same amount of food and the same number of snacks and exercise so I'm a little baffled that Jo has a some padding and Riley doesn't. They definitely get enough exercise...they run like banchies through the house for a big part of the day and they have a doggie door out to a 10 by 25 patio area...they wrestle and tumble with each other and chase toys down the hall, behind the furniture, under the bed, up and down the couch...I'm tellin' ya...these boys should be fit! Jo is 1 1/2...would he still have some puppy fat or could it be from being neutered? Maybe a different food would help...I might try that.