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What signs should I be looking for to know if my dog or cat is overweight?

What signs should I be looking for to know if my dog or cat is overweight?

Updated On January 9th, 2019

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Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

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Sadly, overweight pets are so common that those actually at a healthy body weight may appear too thin to many people. As a general rule of thumb, a dog or cat’s ribs should be easy to feel under a *thin* fat covering, but should not be visible or difficult to feel. Additionally, a dog or cat should have a visible “waistline” with a tuck up in their abdomen. Your veterinarian can assess the body condition scores of to provide a more objective measurement of your pet’s weight, but tools like the [PetCoach Healthy Pet Weight Calculator](https://www.petcoach.co/healthy-weight-calculator/) can also help to guide pet owners at home. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to a pet’s health, as obesity can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and a number of other health conditions.

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