Hints From Heloise

Sat., Sept. 28, 1996

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: We have a beautiful little beagle. Somewhere I heard that when a dog is a perfect weight we should be able to see its ribs. Is that true? Our dog doesn’t look overweight, but we can’t see his ribs. - Sarah Parks, Seattle

You’re half right, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, it’s feeling ribs, not seeing them.

Without pressing, run your hands along the sides and you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs.

Your pet could be underweight if you can see the ribs. Of course, it can depend on the breed and body type.

The best advice is to check with your veterinarian to see what the ideal weight should be for your breed dog.

xxxx

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.