WASHINGTON -- Man's best friend is dealing with the same problems as his master. Dogs are getting fatter.

Usually, their owners are to blame, Washington, D.C., television station WRC reported.

Only 17 percent of dog owners consider their pets as overweight, but vets believe that number is closer to 50 percent.

Take The Test!

Now there is a new tool they can use to see if their dogs are at risk of being fat.

It's called BARC or Body Assessment Rating for Canines.

Owners answer a series of questions about their dogs' breed, eating habits, home environment and activity level.

BARC involves nine questions. Giving seven to nine "yes" answers means the dog is at high risk for being obese.

Bentley, for example, is a sweet-natured golden retriever who hasn't met a meal he didn't like.

He weighs more than 118 pounds. That's nearly 40 pounds more than his ideal weight.

His owners like to say he is round around the edges, but technically, he is obese.

Bentley's problem is that his owners like to share their dinner with him and give him treats.

The extra food is taking a toll on his body. His owners said he gets tired easily.

Doctors said that obese dogs can face many medical issues, including hair and skin problems.

They can also suffer from stress on their hips and knees, as well as cardiac and respiratory problems, according to doctors.

Doctors put Bentley on a three-step program for weight loss: no more table food, more walks and Slentrol, a diet drug for dogs.

Slentrol is an appetite suppressant that will help Bentley lose weight gradually.