Photo: Unsplash (free licence).
Quick answer: in a dog or cat at a healthy weight you can feel the ribs when you run your hand over them without seeing them stick out, there is a visible waist when viewed from above and the tummy tucks up towards the back legs. Weigh your pet once a month and, if it needs to lose weight, measure portions with scales, keep an eye on treats and increase exercise with your vet's advice.
Being overweight is one of the most common health problems in pet dogs and cats. It affects their joints, energy and quality of life, and it usually creeps up gradually without us noticing.
How to assess body condition
| Condition | Ribs | Waist |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | Visible and easy to feel with no fat cover. | Very pronounced. |
| Ideal | Easy to feel under a thin layer of fat. | Visible from above. |
| Overweight | Hard to feel. | Barely visible. |
| Obese | Cannot be felt. | None; swollen tummy. |
How to weigh your pet at home
- Small dogs and cats: weigh yourself alone, then holding your pet, and subtract the difference.
- Large dogs: use the scales at your vet clinic or at some pet shops.
- Always weigh at the same time of day and note it down every month.
If your pet is overweight
- Work out portions based on its ideal weight, not its current weight, with your vet's help.
- Weigh food with kitchen scales.
- Small, counted treats; use part of the daily kibble as rewards.
- Consider a light dry food if your vet recommends it.
- More activity: walks, play and sniffing games.
- Slow feeder bowls or stuffable toys so your pet eats more calmly.
Helpful products
Impulse light dry dog food 12 kgView product
Cats: light chicken mousseView product
Slow feeder bowlView product
For information only. Talk to your vet before starting a weight-loss plan.