h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Max and Mini are off to kennels for a few days. Max has been there loads of times, and the owner is very fond of him. It'll be Mini's first time, so I'm anxious that she settles O. But since the owner breeds cocker spaniels herself, I know the little girly is in good hands.

There's a difference of opinion, though. The kennels owner thinks Max is too thin. Our vet says he's overweight. I trust both these people. There's an interesting thread on Ask at the minute about who to trust, and this is perhaps a supplementary question - what do you do when 2 trusted sources give conflicting advice?

Hmmmm, that's a problem, Bea.

By and large I'd go with my nose if I were you, or eyes even. Does he look too thin, can you see his ribs? If he looks healthy with a fair cover of flesh on his bones I wouldn't worry. I his ribs are a bit too visible for comfort I'd be checking for worms (assuming he's eating properly).

If he's mobile and bounces about as normal he probably isn't overweight enough to be in any trouble but I'd worry more if he actually was underweight in case he was ill.

Hope some of that makes sense and that they enjoy their little holiday.

That is a tough call. I know that our vet has sometimes said one of the cats is getting far, where-as the other seems thin. Both are loaded with energy and seem quite happy in their life. Is the kennel owner quite familiar with a number of beasties of Max's breed?

Hmmm...I would have thought Max would have been about right last time I saw him. Not particularly skinny, but definitely not fat either.

In general terms of conflicting opinions, I'd go with the vet over the kennel owner. And unless the average pet's being actually neglected or abused, it's *much* more likely to be a tad overfed than underfed.

Maybe do a bit of reading and find out what a reasonable weight range is for a Weimaraner of his age?

Is there a My-Furry-Fitness-Pal iPhone app you could check out?