Weight Loss for Dogs and Cats: A Practical Plan

Extra weight is hard on a pet's body, and it's one of the most common problems vets see. In a 2022 survey of US veterinary clinics, 59 percent of dogs and 61 percent of cats were overweight or obese. The good news is that most pets can slim down safely with a vet's help.

Why weight matters

Extra fat puts strain on the whole body. Overweight pets are more likely to develop:

• Joint problems and arthritis
• Diabetes, especially cats
• Breathing difficulty and trouble coping with heat
• A shorter life

On that last point, one 14 year study followed Labrador littermates. The dogs fed 25 percent less than their littermates lived a median of 13 years, against 11.2 years for their littermates, a difference of 1.8 years.

Is your pet overweight?

Vets score body condition on a scale from 1 to 9. The ideal is 4 to 5 for dogs and 5 to 6 for cats. At home, you should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without pressing hard, and see a waist when you look from above. Your vet can score your pet and set a target weight.

What makes pets gain weight

• Food and treats: portions that are too big, table scraps and frequent treats
• Too little exercise
• Neutering: energy needs drop afterwards, so the same portion becomes too much. Ask your vet to recalculate
• Age: older pets move less and need fewer calories
• Breed: some breeds, such as Labradors, put on weight easily
• Illness and medicines: an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or Cushing's disease can cause weight gain, and steroids can raise appetite

Because illness can be behind weight gain, always check with a vet before starting a diet.

A weight loss plan step by step

1. See the vet

The vet examines your pet, checks for medical causes, weighs it and scores its body condition. Together you agree a target weight.

2. Change the feeding

• Your vet works out the daily amount. Weigh the food on kitchen scales instead of using a cup.
• Use a food made for weight loss. Cutting the portion of a normal food can leave a pet short of vitamins and minerals, and "light" foods can too.
• Keep treats under 10 percent of daily calories, and count them in the daily total. Carrots or green beans can work as low-calorie treats for dogs.
• Skip table scraps. Some human foods, such as chocolate, grapes and onions, are toxic to dogs.
• Give everyone in the household the same rules.

3. Go slowly

A healthy loss rate is about 0.5 to 2 percent of body weight per week, and many pets lose less than 1 percent. Even a loss of 6 to 9 percent of body weight can improve health. In cats, never cut food drastically. A cat that eats much less than usual can develop fatty liver disease, so call the vet the same day.

4. Add exercise gradually

Start with short walks or play sessions and build up. Swimming is easy on the joints, and puzzle feeders give the mind something to do. If you can't fit in walks, a dog walker can help.

5. Weigh regularly

Weigh your pet at the same time every week or two, and write the number down. Book rechecks with your vet as advised, and adjust the plan if the weight isn't moving.

6. Keep the weight off

At target weight, the vet moves you to a maintenance amount. Keep up the exercise and the measured portions so the weight doesn't creep back.

Basics of a good diet

• Dogs and cats both need a complete food made for their life stage. Dogs are omnivores.
• Cats are obligate carnivores and need animal protein and the amino acid taurine, which a complete cat food contains.
• Fresh water should always be available.

Book a visit

Our veterinary service can weigh your pet, score its body condition, rule out medical causes and help you plan feeding. We're open Monday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 to 16:00, and Tuesday and Wednesday 09:00 to 17:00. Contact the clinic to book.