09/09/2026
Could your pet be overweight? 🧁
We all want to spoil our pets, but a couple more biscuits here or there, or regularly giving treats or scraps, can all slowly increase our pet’s weight without us noticing!
What does it look like?
At an ideal weight, your dog or cat’s:
✅ Ribs can be easily felt under a small amount of fat
✅ When looking from above, your pet has an obvious waist
✅ When looking from the side, an “abdominal tuck” is present in front of their back legs
In an overweight pet;
❌ You can’t feel their ribs
❌ When looking from above, you cannot see their waist (may be a straight line from head to tail or bulging areas)
❌ When looking from the side, there is no “abdominal tuck” and belly may be bulging down
❌ Large fat deposits can be seen around neck, chest, spine and base of tail
Why does it matter?
Being as little as 10% overweight can greatly increase the risks associated with serious health conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis, urinary stones, or heart disease, and shorten your pet’s life expectancy.
Increased pressure on your pet’s joints, especially in older dogs, can make it harder for them to move around and lead to shortness of breath.
What can you do about it?
⚖ Drop by the clinic and get an accurate weight for your pet – we can let you know their previous weight and assess their current condition – no appointment necessary
🦴Check how many calories your dog needs each day and measure out their food – include any treats or extras in their daily allowance and reduce meals accordingly
🍗Cut out any extra treats or food scraps
⚽️Regular exercise with your pet – including walking, playing with toys, or swimming
💻 Check online resources like Hill's L.O.V.E test
🩺Talk to Dr Shey or our team for more advice if concerned
It may take a little while to see dramatic changes, but every meal counts!