health
How do I know if my pet is overweight?
The three-check method
- Feel the ribs. Place flat hands on the rib cage with light pressure. You should feel each rib like the back of your hand, neither protruding nor padded under a layer of fat. Ribs you can't easily count = overweight.
- Look from above. Standing over your pet, you should see a clear waist behind the ribs. A straight or bulging silhouette = overweight.
- Look from the side. The abdomen should tuck up behind the rib cage, not hang level or sag. A level or sagging abdomen = overweight.
Why it matters more than people think
Overweight dogs and cats develop osteoarthritis sooner, have shorter lifespans (a major lifetime calorie-restriction study in Labradors found a roughly two-year median difference), have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers, and recover worse from surgery and injury. Weight is the single most actionable lifetime-health intervention you control.
Practical adjustment: reduce daily calories by 10–20% and re-check BCS in 4–6 weeks. Most pets lose weight more on portion control than on diet brand change. Switch to a vet-recommended weight-management formula if portion control alone isn't enough, but talk to your vet before switching to a prescription diet, since some restrict nutrients in ways healthy pets don't need.
Sources
Related questions
Conditions this bears on
orthopedic
Canine hip dysplasia
metabolic
Feline hyperthyroidism
metabolic
Diabetes mellitus (dogs and cats)
neurologic
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
orthopedic
Osteoarthritis
metabolic
Canine obesity
metabolic
Feline obesity
metabolic
Canine Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
orthopedic
Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL rupture)
dermatologic
Canine anal sac disease
orthopedic
Canine patellar luxation
metabolic
Hypothyroidism in dogs
other
Tracheal collapse in dogs
cardiac
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
other
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
orthopedic
Elbow dysplasia
gastrointestinal
Feline hepatic lipidosis
orthopedic
Feline osteochondrodysplasia
Breeds this comes up for
Related glossary terms
Guides that cover this
Guide
Halloween Candy and Dogs: Which Candies Are Dangerous, How Much, and What to Do
Guide
Dog Treats: Biscuits, Jerky and Chews Sorted by Calories, Texture and Chewing Style
Guide
Dog Food Transition Guide: Four Days Suits Most Dogs, Sensitive Stomachs Need Longer
Guide
Single-Ingredient Dog Treats: One Line on the Label, and What It Does Not Tell You
Guide
Low-Impact Toys for Older Dogs: Keep the Play, Lose the Landing
Guide
Joint Supplements for Senior Dogs: Which Ones Have Evidence Behind Them