08/10/2025
Did you know that your Corgi being 5 lbs overweight is the equivalent of a person being 30 lbs overweight?? Let's talk about it!
Corgis should only weigh between 22-30 lbs, with females weighing in at a max of 28, and males a max of 30. Remember that your dog's health and weight are your responsibility. And by allowing your dog to become obese, you are neglecting your dog and its health needs.
Unfortunately, in today's world, the issue of obesity is being written off as the dog being "chonky," and Corgis who are fit, or an ideal weight, are considered "too thin."..But "chonky" is not funny or cute. It is detrimental to your dog's health.
Obesity in dogs is an epidemic, with studies suggesting that approximately 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. This can cause major health issues such as heart disease, arthritis, circulatory problems, diabetes, joint problems, pancreatic disorders, and liver disease. Furthermore, according to the AVMA, research has shown that the average lifespan of overweight dogs is up to 2 1/2 years shorter than that of dogs with a healthy body weight.
Don't forget - Corgis are a herding breed, and they were bred for working! They are not a lazy, couch-potato breed of dog. If this is how you would describe your Corgi, maybe it's because your dog is already overweight and possibly struggles with mobility.
What can you do? Put your dog on a diet! A regimen that I have found that works well is the green bean diet. Here's how it works:
Whatever you are feeding your dog now, cut it in half. So, for example, if you are feeding one cup of kibble for every meal, cut it back to HALF of a cup each meal, and substitute the other half with green beans. This will help your dog feel fuller, without all of the extra kibble and calories. Pair this with regular exercise, and cut back the daily treats (or you can substitute those treats for carrot slices or blueberries!). You will find that in no time, your dog'll be back down to a healthy weight.
When your dog hits their ideal weight, do not go back to your regular feeding schedule. Again, for example, if you were feeding one cup per meal before, bring it back up, but only to three-quarters of a cup per meal. At this point, you should be able to remove the green beans from their meal.
Good luck!!
https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2019-03-01/study-finds-overweight-dogs-live-shorter-lives
https://saffordvets.com/lasalle-county-vet-obesity-in-dogs/
