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is your pet a healthy weight?
Managing weight is all about choosing a quality diet for your pet’s needs, using the right serving sizes, and keeping your pet active and engaged. Your veterinary team is here to help with diet advice and health recommendations for your BFF, no matter where they are on the scale.
Your pet’s weight affects their overall wellness, health, and energy levels.
Your pet’s weight affects much more than how they look. A healthy weight helps your pet fend off health issues and fight disease, and have a better chance of living longer, too. Obesity is especially a problem for domestic pets, because extra poundage means they run a higher risk for joint, cardiac, and respiratory diseases, diabetes, and more.
Don’t think of healthy weights as an ideal number on a scale. What’s more important is if your pet has the right amount of padding on their frame for their age and size, and that number can depend on their age, breed, and activity level.
What’s a healthy weight for pets, and why does it matter?
Find out if your pet is too heavy, too skinny, or just right
A healthy weight is different for each pet, because it’s all about what’s right for their own unique frame. Take a good look at your pet from the side and above, then take this quick test. If your pet falls on either extreme, it’s time to see the vet.
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Very thin
Severely defined ribs and waist
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Thin
Easily visible ribs and waist
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Ideal weight
Ribs easily felt, but not seen, with an obvious waist
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Overweight
Ribs not easily seen or felt
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Obese
Ribs not easily seen or felt, with no waist at all
Why you should watch your pet’s weight
Being too skinny or too heavy carries real risks for your pet’s overall health and well-being.
Diabetes
Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs when your pet’s body is unable to regulate their blood sugar levels. Primary symptoms of this disease are unusual thirst and tons of peeing, often paired with sudden weight loss. Your veterinary team can help diagnose the condition and work with you to help your pet live an active and joyful life.
Obesity
Pet obesity is an actual epidemic among dogs and cats. One out of every 3 pets are considered overweight or obese, which means they are at high risk for joint, cardiac, and respiratory diseases. If your dog or cat is obese, take action. Talk to your veterinary team about a special diet and exercise regime for the pet you love.
Poor nutrition
A pet that is too skinny may simply not be getting enough nutrition. Your first step is to see your vet. You want to rule out any health conditions as well as get advice about a balanced, quality diet that will help your pet gain weight for health.
Are certain breeds more likely to be overweight?
Certain dog breeds may be genetically programmed not to feel full. These breeds may have more copies of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene, which is strongly associated with how the brain recognizes hunger and when it recognizes feeling full. These breeds may need extra help, like robust exercise paired with a mindful eating routine, to maintain a healthy weight.
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Labrador retrievers
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Cairn terriers
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Cocker spaniels
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Manx
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Maine coons
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Russian blues
Four easy steps to help your pet have a healthy weight
A healthy diet, use portion control, make sure they exercise, and take it easy on the treats.
If nutritious food in the right portions with plenty of exercise sounds really familiar, it’s because this approach works great for both people and pets.
The one thing that’s different for pets? No people foods. Even in bite-sized amounts, human foods are packed with calories that can quickly add up to extra pet pounds.
Give your pets meals designed for their nutritional needs
Your veterinary team can help you determine your pet’s daily calorie needs and suggest a quality diet designed for their age, breed, and activity level. Your job then is to stick to that diet — treats included — no matter how much your sweet kitty pleads or your very good dog begs.
General guidelines:
10-pound cat: ~ 227 calories/day10-pound dog: ~ 342/calories/day
30-pound dog: ~ 779 calories/day
50-pound dog: ~ 1,1,43 calories/day
90-pound dog: ~ 1,777 calories a day
See more about choosing a quality diet
Keep to a feeding schedule designed for your pet’s size and age
If your pet is still a puppy or kitten, you can easily split their calorie count into several meals throughout the day. Ask your veterinary team for tips on a schedule that works for you, your pet, and your lifestyle.
Puppies and kittens under 3 months
Feed 4 times a day, several hours apart, starting in the early morning.
Puppies and kittens between 3-6 months
Shift to 3 meals a day, as they are now able to maintain their nutrient levels longer.
6 Months and older
Split up your pet's daily calories into 1-2 meals, depending on your and your pet's preferences.
Keep track of all treats, and keep them small
Treats can totally be a part of your pet's healthy diet, so long as you make sure they don’t put your pet’s calorie count over the top. It can help to remember that treats shouldn’t be more than 10% of your pet’s calorie intake. Don’t let treats replace meals, either. Your pet needs the nutrition that their quality diet will provide.
Top treat tips:
- Try low-calorie treats
- Use some of your pet's daily kibble as treats
- Only use treats as a positive reward
- Create a game that challenges pets to work for treats
- Mix up treats with tummy rubs or time with a favorite toy for a non-food reward
Up the exercise to burn some calories and keep your pet moving
Get your cat to play with a jingle ball, feather teaser or other hunter-type toys. Take your dog on a walk, play catch, or hide snacks in a treat toy they need to nose around. Even pets with health issues may get some benefits from more activity. Ask your veterinary team for special tips on taking it slow for your special BFF.
Exercise for dogs:
- Take a walk around the neighborhood. Walking has less impact on the joints, so this is a good first activity for a dog that has been inactive for a long time.
- Go for a swim. Swimming exercises the muscles without undue impact, so it can be a good option for dogs with arthritis. (Just be sure to dry their ears afterwards.)
- Play fetch. This is a higher impact activity, but watching ball-crazy pets can be a reward in itself.
Exercise for cats:
- Play with a favorite toy. Fishing rod toys, with a toy on a string, are great ways to invite your cat to come play.
- Cat trees. Help your cat to safely climb and scratch.
- Move the food. Switching up where your cat eats is a great motivator to action.
- Use food toys. Offer your cat their meal in a food toy to increase activity while eating.
Diet and nutrition for cats and dogs
What to know about good dog diets
From wee puppies to great big elder statesdogs, get guidance on what to feed (and not feed) your doggyBFF.
Cat foods for your kittyBAE
Wondering what to feed your baby kitty or great big lap cat? We’re here to help with information, foods to avoid, and more.
Optimum Wellness Plan®
