In today's issue:

-Meet our dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Want your pup to be featured here?

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

12 Surprising Money Mistakes Even Smart People Make

You’re smart about saving money, like shopping clearance racks, limiting eating out, and choosing affordable streaming services. However, there are still some cost-cutting tips you might not know yet. Once you discover these, you could quickly find extra cash in your pocket.

Learn More

How to Tell if Your Dog’s Weight is Just Right

Our dogs have a funny way of wearing their hearts on their sleeves and their extra treats on their hips. Because we see them every single day, it is incredibly easy to miss the slow, subtle shift when a pup becomes a little too plush or a bit too lean. Plus, between fluffy double coats and stocky bulldogs, there is no one-size-fits-all number on the scale.

So, how do you know if your best friend is carrying the perfect amount of weight? You skip the scale for a moment and rely on two simple, hands-on tests: the Rib Check and the Bird’s-Eye View.

The Hands-On Guide to Evaluating Your Dog

Veterinarians use a visual and tactile standard called the Body Condition Score (BCS), which usually ranks dogs on a scale from 1 to 9. An ideal score sits right in the middle at a 4 or 5. You can easily find where your dog lands by doing a quick assessment right at home.

1. The Rib Check (The "Knuckle Test")

Run both of your hands gently along the sides of your dog's chest, right over their ribcage. You shouldn't need to press hard at all.

• If they are too thin: The ribs will feel prominent, sharp, and distinct, like running your fingers over the back of your knuckles when your hand is clenched into a fist. You will also notice the spine and hip bones sticking out clearly.
• If they are too heavy: You won't be able to feel the ribs easily at all. It will feel more like pushing through a thick, padded winter coat, or like pressing on the fleshy palm of your hand beneath your thumb.
• If they are just right: You should easily feel the individual ribs under a thin layer of skin and fat, feeling similar to the backs of your fingers when your hand is flat and open.

2. The Visual Silhouette

Stand directly over your dog while they are standing up and look down at them. Then, squat down to their eye level and look at their profile from the side.

• From above: A healthy dog should have a noticeable, smooth indentation behind the ribcage, creating an hourglass shape or a defined "waist." If they look like a straight rectangle or a round cylinder from above, they are likely carrying extra weight. If the waist cuts in sharply like a dramatic V-shape and the hip points pop out, they may be underweight.
• From the side: Look for a "belly tuck." The underline of a healthy dog should slope upward from the end of the ribcage up toward their hind legs. A flat line or a sagging tummy usually indicates a few too many treats.

The Fluff Factor: If you share your home with a gorgeous, high-floof breed like a Shetland Sheepdog, Samoyed, or Newfoundland, visual checks can be completely deceiving. For long-haired or thick-coated pups, the hands-on rib check is your single best tool.

Why Keeping the Balance Matters

It's easy to look at a slightly rounder pup and think "more to love," but keeping your dog at an ideal weight is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, even a few extra pounds can place significant stress on a dog’s joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis and reducing their overall life expectancy by up to two years.

Conversely, if a dog is suddenly looking too thin or losing weight without a change in their diet, it can be an early indicator of an underlying metabolic or dental issue that warrants a quick chat with your vet.

Every dog’s ideal shape is a little bit unique to their breed, age, and activity level. By making a quick rib check part of your weekly grooming or cuddle routine, you’ll ensure your companion stays energetic, comfortable, and ready for every adventure ahead.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Steve's Real Food - Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe Cat and Dog Food: Possible Low Thiamine Levels (B1)
• Raaw Energy - Dog Food: Potential Listeria Contamination
• Albright's Raw Pet Food - Chicken Recipe for Dogs: Potential Salmonella
  Exposure

Want to help find lost pets?

Download our RoverAlert app to receive notifications of missing pets in your area.

We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.