Skinny vs Strong

Most dog owners think a dog is healthy if they aren’t overweight. But SKINNY and FIT are not the same thing.

A dog can be lean and still be weak, unstable, and poorly conditioned. And that misunderstanding is one of the biggest reasons dogs lose mobility as they age.

Don't ask how much does my dog weigh? Instead ask: How strong is my dog?

First Things First: Many Dogs Are Simply Overweight

Before we talk about strength, we need to address a very common problem: many dogs today are overweight!!! (yes, even the Labrador who won best of breed at Westminster!!!)

In those cases, the first priority is not muscle building — it is fat loss.

Weight loss in dogs follows the same biological rule as weight loss in people: calories will determine if your dog gains weight or loses weight.

A dog must burn more calories than they consume in order to lose weight. That means reducing excess calories and increasing movement.

Many owners struggle with this because begging behaviors have been reinforced over time. Dogs quickly learn that sitting near the table, staring, whining, or pawing often results in extra food. A dog that appears 'always hungry' has learned that begging works.

Treats, table scraps, frequent snacking, and generous portions are the most common reasons dogs gain weight.

Movement is the other half of the equation. Short potty walks around the yard are not exercise! True walking means purposeful forward movement, not slow wandering while the dog sniffs every blade of grass. A brisk walk where the dog is moving forward with focus helps burn calories and improve conditioning.

I will address more about weight loss in my next article.

Once excess weight begins to come off, strength training becomes incredibly valuable.

Muscle Is Health. Weight Is Just Gravity.

Muscle powers movement, stabilizes joints, protects the spine, and helps the body stay resilient.

Fat is mostly stored energy. (I’ll talk about “When dogs lose excess fat and build muscle, their health changes dramatically” in my next Newsletter)

A dog can have very little fat and still lack the muscle needed to support healthy movement.

I see this often in practice: Dogs that are skinny but struggle to stand up, slip on floors, tire quickly on walks, or hesitate when jumping into the car.

Those dogs are not overweight. They are under-muscled.

Aging Dogs Don’t Just Gain Weight — They Lose Strength

As dogs age, they naturally begin to lose muscle mass. This process, called sarcopenia, often starts in middle age.

Muscle loss is most noticeable in the:

• back legs

• hips

• spine

• shoulders

The scale may not change much, but the dog becomes weaker!

Common early signs include:

• difficulty getting up

• slower or awkward sitting

• slipping on floors

• tiring more quickly on walks

• reluctance to jump or climb

These changes happen because the muscles that stabilize joints are slowly fading.

If you’re noticing your dog’s back legs getting weaker, download my free guide:

Strengthen_Dog_Back_Legs_Ebook.pdf

Download PDF • 567KB

Walking Is Good — But It’s Not Enough

Many owners do a wonderful job walking their dogs every day. But going for “potty walks” is only good for circulation, mental stimulation, and maintaining basic fitness!!

That kind of walking does very little to build strength!

Strength comes from varied movement such as:

• hills or stairs

• uneven terrain

• slow controlled movement

• balance challenges

• changes in speed and direction

These types of activities engage the deep stabilizing muscles that protect the joints and spine. Without them, muscle gradually disappears.

Body Condition Scores Only Tell Half the Story

Veterinarians often use a Body Condition Score (BCS) to estimate whether a dog is underweight, ideal, or overweight. BCS is helpful — but it mostly measures fat coverage, not muscle quality.

Two dogs can have the same body condition score and look completely different in strength and athletic ability.

A truly healthy dog should have:

• easily felt ribs

• a visible waist (yes! even Frenchies!!)

• firm muscle along the thighs and shoulders

• strength when rising, turning, and climbing

Movement quality tells us far more about health than the number on the scale.

A Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking: “Does my dog weigh the right amount?” Ask: “Is my dog strong?”

Strength is one of the biggest predictors of healthy aging. Dogs that maintain muscle stay active longer, move more confidently, and develop fewer mobility problems later in life.

A Quick Strength Check You Can Do at Home

Watch your dog during normal movement and ask yourself:

1. How easily does your dog get up? A strong dog rises smoothly using the back legs.

2. What happens when your dog turns quickly? Does your dog pivot smoothly, or does the back end swing wide?

3. Can your dog sit and stand repeatedly without hesitation? A fit dog moves fluidly between positions.

4. What do the back legs look like? Healthy thighs appear rounded and full with muscle.

5. Does your dog slip frequently? Frequent slipping often reflects reduced stability and strength.

These small clues can reveal early muscle loss long before major mobility problems appear.

Want a Simple Place to Start?

If you’re noticing your dog may be losing strength in the back end, I put together a short guide to help.

Download my free guide:

Strengthen_Dog_Back_Legs_Ebook.pdf

Download PDF • 567KB

These are gentle exercises I often recommend to help dogs improve rear-end awareness, strength, and stability.

In the next article, I’ll tackle the question many owners ask next: How do I know if my dog is overweight — and what is the safest way to help them lose weight?

Because when dogs lose excess fat and build muscle, their health changes dramatically.

Enjoyed this article? I share occasional Sage Advice for dog owners based on 30+ years as a veterinarian and 20+ years as an animal chiropractor.

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