Vet's Orders: Weight Management - How To Tell If Your Pet Is Overweight

Dr. Nicole Barnard, BVSc

Pet obesity has skyrocketed recently, with a >150% increase in both overweight cats and overweight dogs over the last decade. While those begging eyes make it hard to resist sharing a treat, the reality is that carrying extra weight can reduce a pet's lifespan by an average of 2.5 years and lead to several health conditions, many of which manifest as physical pain.

Weight alone isn’t the only indicator of health due to different breed shapes and sizes. Instead, veterinary professionals use a Body Condition Score (BCS) to objectively assess fat cover

The Visual and Physical Check:

• Rib Test: When you firmly run your hands along their side, you should be able to feel each individual rib easily under a thin layer of fat.

• Overhead View: Looking down from above, your pet should have a visible dip at the waist (an hourglass shape).

• Side Profile: From the side, a clear "abdominal tuck" (the belly sloping upward toward the hind legs) should be present. Note that cats have primordial pouches, and this is not a feature to look out for in your feline friends.