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

Updated On January 9th, 2019

Pet's info:

Image profile

Answered By Christie Long, DVM

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

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.

Vote icon

82Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

See More Answers
image

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored