July in South Africa is the undeniable peak of our winter. The mornings bring heavy frost to the Highveld, the Cape is lashed by cold fronts, and our dogs are suddenly sporting the thickest, most glorious coats of the year. They look remarkably robust and exceptionally fluffy. But as you watch your dog trot across the living room, you might find yourself asking a very important question: is that a winter coat making them look so round, or are they developing a “winter waddle”?

It is an incredibly easy trap to fall into. During the freezing month of July, our routines naturally change. Those brisk morning walks are often delayed or skipped altogether when it is dark and icy outside. Our dogs spend far more time curled up in front of the heater or buried under blankets on the couch. At the same time, we humans tend to eat heavier, comforting meals in winter, and it’s very easy to project that desire for extra calories onto our pets, slipping them a few more treats to “keep them warm.”

Decreased exercise combined with the same (or increased) calorie intake inevitably equals weight gain. But because of their thick winter undercoat, it can be really hard to simply look at your dog and know if they are getting fat.

How to Tell the Difference: The Hands-On Test

You cannot rely on your eyes during July; you have to use your hands. Here is how to perform the standard “Rib Test” to check your dog’s true body condition beneath the fluff:

• The Rib Feel: Stand out your dog and place both your thumbs on their spine, spreading your fingers down over their ribcage. Press gently through the thick winter fur. You should be able to clearly feel their ribs without having to press too hard.
• The Hand Comparison: Run your fingers over the back of your hand. That is what your dog’s ribs should feel like. If it feels like the palm of your hand (soft and fleshy where you can’t feel the bones easily), your dog is overweight. If it feels like your knuckles, they are too thin.
• The Top-Down View: Stand directly above your dog and look down at their back. Even with a thick coat, there should be an inward curve or a visible “waist” just behind their ribcage before their hips. If they look like a solid cylinder, or bulge outwards, that isn’t fluff.

What to Do If It Is Fat

If your dog has developed a winter waddle, don’t panic, but do take action. Excess weight drastically increases the strain on their joints, making winter stiffness and arthritis much more painful.

First, strictly eliminate all table scraps and extra winter treats. Second, reassess their daily portion. If their activity level has plummeted in July, their daily kibble allowance needs to be slightly reduced to match their lower energy output.

This is where feeding a premium, nutrient-dense dog food makes all the difference. High-quality food ensures that even when you slightly reduce their portion size to manage their weight, they are still getting all the vital proteins and vitamins they need to maintain a healthy immune system and a brilliant coat. They stay full, nourished, and lean, ensuring that when spring finally arrives, they are ready to run, not waddle.