Am caring for a neighbor's 5-year-old neutered male Pom. Vet told neighbor that dog is overweight. We need to know what dog's weight should be in order to use feeding charts to help dog loose the excess weight. Does anyone know how to determine this dog's ideal weight?

Hi, Az,
You should be able to feel his ribs, by running your fingers over his sides. You should be able to see a rib or two.
If you can't feel any ribs with your hand or fingers, sliding your fingers from the front toward the back of the dog, then he is overweight.
Take him for walks everyday, about 45 mintues each time. And, feed him dry dog food, using the amount on the side of the package.
You can determine his weight by either taking him to a Vet, or you can pick him up, and stand on a scale... then subtract your weight from the total of both you and him.
Also, here is a site with pictures, and explanations.
http://www.placervillevet.com/canine%20body%20condition.htm
If you are caring for the dog, for your neighbor, are you going to have it very long?
Weight loss takes awhile. If your neighbor gets the dog back, he/she will have to continue doing what you are, in order for the dog to get back to a good weight.
Best wishes.

My reference book gives an average of 11 pounds for a Pomeranian. Individual dogs vary. If the dog needs to lose weight, start feeding it somewhat less that you are feeding it now. If it needs to lose a large part of its body mass, you may want to switch to a weight loss formula. As I have posted here many times before, the best way to determine a dogs body condition is to check its ribs. Here is an illustrated chart you can use to determine when the dog reaches ideal body weight. It is the method I was taught by a large dog guide school, and I, and many others I know, have used it for years.

September 07, link to chart replaced with LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog (http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx)

Thanks fredg & labman. I used your information to help plan the Pom's feeding & activity while he was with me. I also passed the information on to the owner in hopes that he will continue to modify the dog's diet; he has already increased their exercise time.
Gratefully,
AzGeezer

Hi, Az,
You are quite welcome.
You are a wonderful person suggesting the owner keep up what you started! It could add 4 or 5 years to the dog's life; not being overweight.
Congratulations, and I, too, hope the owner keeps up with it.