How to tell if your pet is overweight
​and what can you do about it

Important note: If you notice your pet changing their weight or shape very quickly, veterinary examination and advice is needed.  This can be a sign of serious illness.

How do I tell if my dog or cat is at a healthy weight?

Ok, so you have found out that your beloved dog or cat is a little chubbier than they should be.  What now?

Gaining weight in general means that they are eating more calories than they are burning off throughout the day.  So, in order to lose weight, they need to eat less calories or exercise more - ideally do both.

If your pet is anything like mine, freshly dispensed food is better than food that has been out for an hour or two.  Measure out your dog or cats daily food allowance and store in an airtight container.

Use this to top up your pets food or to give as treats throughout the day.  This helps to avoid overfeeding, especially in a household with several people feeding.

Did you know that when your cat comes up to you and meows, it doesn’t always mean they are hungry?  Most of the time, they just want a bit of attention from you - give them a pat or better still play a little game with them (see below for game ideas).

If you are already measuring out your pets food, cut back the amount that they are currently getting. This is easy in theory, but it may cause your pet to resort to stealing food or constant begging for more food.

If you are already feeding a small amount or if your dog or cat acts like they are ‘dying of starvation’, buy a lower calorie food.  That way they can feel like they are eating the same amount but are consuming less calories than they were previously.

Note:  Traditional ‘light’ foods are used for pets that are prone to gaining weight rather than for weight loss.  Buy a food that is specific for weight loss until they reach their ideal weight (shape), then maintain their weight on a light diet.

Did you know?  That desexing your pet reduces the amount of calories they need to 'run' their bodies.  So if you continue to feed them the same amount after desexing they will gain weight.  There is a simple fix to this - feed them less!

What does healthy weight loss look like?

Along with reducing how much food your pet is eating, you NEED to get them to exercise more!

BUT, how do I get my cat to exercise more???

If you were asked to exercise your dog - what would you think of first? I am sure taking them for a walk is what most people would answer with. How many people do you see walking their cats down the street?  A better question is how many cats would actually enjoy doing this?  Answer to both is not many!

If your cat is elderly or very overweight - you need to ease them into exercise.  Just the same as you wouldn’t start running if you don’t even walk far. You can ease your cat into exercise by playing games with them while they are laying down.  They can lay on their backs and reach up to a dangly toy or reach forward with their paws - moving their legs in and out.  Slowly increase how much your cat exercises - most the the time when they are ready instead of reaching out with their paws, they will jump up and chase a toy a little bit further.

If you are having trouble motivating your cat to move - they likely love their food so use this to your advantage.  Walk to one end of the hall with some dry food in your hand.  Try to show your cat what you are doing so they follow you. Give them 1 or 2 pieces at one end of the hall.  Walk to the other end and call your cat, give a couple of biscuits, walk to the other end…. And so on.

If your cat really does not get what you are doing, hold the food in front of their noses and draw them forward a couple of steps, then give them one.  Continue this until you can make the entire length of the hall way.

If you have several cats, try to feed them in different rooms.  If only one cat is overweight, you can arrange for a plastic box (like one for clothes storage) with an entrance only big enough for the slim cat to get through.