How do I stop my dog gaining weight over winter?

Winter weight gain is quiet. It arrives 200 grams at a time, hidden under a thicker coat, and most owners don't notice until spring.

Start with two free checks. Run your fingers flat along your dog's ribs: you should feel each rib with light pressure, the way you feel your knuckles through the back of your hand. If you have to press to find them, there's a layer sitting on top. Then look from above for a waist behind the ribs, and from the side for a belly that tucks up rather than running level.

Then weigh. Small and medium dogs can be done at home: weigh yourself, pick up the dog, weigh again, subtract. For bigger dogs, most vet clinics are happy for you to use the scales in the waiting room. Do it on the first of the month from June through September and write it in your phone.

On the food side, measure with a cup or kitchen scales rather than guessing, count treats as part of the daily total, and if exercise has dropped noticeably, take the food down about 10% and reassess in three weeks. Slow adjustments beat dramatic ones, and they're far easier on a dog's stomach.