Weight control in cats and dogs: why obesity matters

Excess weight is one of the most common yet most easily overlooked health problems in cats and dogs. The answer to is my dog overweight, is my cat too heavy? is not a single number on the scale: two animals at the same weight can be in very different shape depending on breed and build. This article gives a general framework, the decision about weight belongs to the vet who sees the animal. You can reach the nearest clinics from the guide's home page.

How to judge ideal weight at home

The body-condition logic that vets use can guide you at home too. Three things are checked: with your hand on the rib cage, can you feel the ribs without a thick layer of fat over them, seen from above is there a waistline that tucks in, seen from the side does the belly rise upward. If the ribs cannot be felt at all and the waist has disappeared, extra weight is likely. Putting a number on that and ruling out an underlying problem is the job of regular veterinary check-ups.

What does extra weight put at risk?

• Joints. Every extra kilo carried strains the joints, speeds up arthritis and makes movement painful.
• Diabetes. Excess weight is one of the main factors raising the risk of diabetes, especially in cats.
• Heart and breathing. Circulation and breathing are under greater load, and struggling in the heat becomes more pronounced.
• Anaesthesia and general health. Risk rises when surgery is needed, and quality of life and life expectancy can shorten.
• Why do they gain weight? The most common cause is oversized portions and treats. After neutering, energy needs drop, and if the food stays the same the weight follows. In old age the tendency grows as movement decreases.

Management rests on a few simple principles: give the portion by measuring it rather than by eye, count the treats and table scraps given during the day within the daily total, and make changes gradually. Which food and how much depends on the animal's age and condition, the food choice and feeding article explains the general framework. Setting the target and the pace for an animal that needs to lose weight is again the vet's job.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Let the vet who sees the animal set the weight-loss plan: a sudden, harsh diet can be dangerous, and in cats especially rapid weight loss can cause serious liver problems. You can find how the guide is put together on the about page.