Pet Weight Management: Is Your Pet Overweight?
Obesity is the most common preventable disease in pets. Over 55% of dogs and 60% of cats in developed countries are overweight or obese.
How to Assess Body Condition
The Rib Test
Run your hands along your pet's sides:
- Ideal: Ribs easily felt with light pressure, thin fat covering
- Overweight: Ribs felt with firm pressure, noticeable fat layer
- Obese: Ribs difficult to feel, thick fat covering
Visual Check
From above: You should see a visible waist (hourglass shape) behind the ribs.
From the side: The belly should tuck up from the chest toward the hind legs.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
Vets use a 1-9 scale:
- 1-3: Underweight
- 4-5: Ideal
- 6-7: Overweight
- 8-9: Obese
Ask your vet to score your pet at every visit.
Health Risks of Excess Weight
In Dogs
- Arthritis: 2x more likely; excess weight accelerates joint degradation
- Diabetes: 3x higher risk
- Heart disease: Increased cardiac workload
- Respiratory problems: Especially dangerous for brachycephalic breeds
- Reduced lifespan: Overweight dogs live 2.5 years less on average
- Cancer: Higher incidence in obese pets
- Exercise intolerance: Creates a vicious cycle
In Cats
- Diabetes: 4x higher risk (and often reversible with weight loss)
- Hepatic lipidosis: "Fatty liver" — can be fatal if overweight cats stop eating
- Urinary issues: Increased UTI and crystal formation
- Reduced grooming: Obese cats can't reach all areas, leading to skin problems
Why Pets Gain Weight
- Overfeeding — feeding guidelines on bags are often too generous
- Too many treats — treats should be <10% of daily calories
- Insufficient exercise — especially for indoor cats
- Desexing — reduces metabolic rate by ~25%
- Age — metabolism slows; food amount needs to decrease
- Human food — table scraps add up fast
A Practical Weight Loss Plan
Step 1: Set a Target
Work with your vet to determine ideal weight. Aim for 1-2% body weight loss per week.
Step 2: Measure Food
Use a kitchen scale, not a cup. Cups vary wildly in actual volume.
Step 3: Reduce Portions
Cut daily food by 15-20%. Don't starve them — gradual reduction is safer and more sustainable.
Step 4: Upgrade Treat Strategy
- Use their regular kibble as treats
- Break treats into tiny pieces
- Try vegetables: carrots, green beans, cucumber, watermelon (dogs)
- Frozen treats take longer to eat (lick mats with low-cal spread)
Step 5: Increase Activity
Dogs: Add 5 minutes to each walk weekly. Add a play session. Cats: 15-minute play sessions twice daily. Puzzle feeders. Vertical space.
Step 6: Weigh Monthly
Track progress. Adjust if not losing or losing too fast.
Step 7: Maintain
Once at target, don't increase food. Maintain the new portions permanently.
When It's Not Just Food
If your pet gains weight despite controlled diet and exercise, see your vet. Medical causes include:
- Hypothyroidism (dogs)
- Cushing's disease (dogs)
- Insulin resistance
- Medications (steroids)
Pet Capsule's weight tracker helps you log weekly weigh-ins, visualise trends, and share progress with your vet.