Puppy feeding and growth
How do I check my puppy's ribs to judge its weight?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Place flat hands gently on either side of the puppy's chest and press lightly. You should feel each rib without pushing hard, similar to running a finger over the back of your own hand. Ribs that take firm pressure to find suggest extra weight; ribs that are visible suggest too little.
The technique step by step
With the puppy standing relaxed, place both hands flat against its sides just behind the front legs. Gently press with light, even pressure and slide your fingers slightly. In a well conditioned puppy, each rib is distinctly felt without needing to dig in or search for it.
Comparing to your own hand as a reference
A commonly used comparison is the back of your hand versus the palm: ribs that feel like the bones on the back of a closed fist, easy to find, suggest a lean, healthy condition, while ribs that feel more like the fleshy palm, harder to locate, suggest extra fat cover.
Combining this with other checks
Rib feel works best alongside a look from above for a waist and a look from the side for a belly tuck, since coat thickness or a fluffy breed can sometimes make ribs slightly harder to feel even at a genuinely healthy weight, and a fuller check avoids a false read from touch alone.
Key takeaways
- Feel ribs with light, flat pressure rather than digging in with fingertips.
- Ribs easily felt, similar to the back of a hand, indicate a healthy condition.
- Ribs that are hard to find suggest extra weight; ribs clearly visible suggest too little.
- Combine the rib check with a look for a waist and a belly tuck for a fuller picture.