Dog Health
Dog Obesity: Risks, Symptoms, and Weight Loss Solutions
Dog obesity is a growing concern in veterinary medicine. Nearly 60 percent of dogs are considered overweight or obese, according to a national survey
Pet Obesity & Weight Management Guide
Start your pet's journey to a healthier and happier life!
Receive weight management information, pet health tips, and more, right in your inbox.
DOG
CAT
What Is Pet Obesity?
Obesity in pets refers to excessive weight gain that can negatively impact a pet's ability to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. Dogs and cats are considered obese when they weigh more than 20% above their ideal body weight.
59% of dogs are considered overweight or obese.1
Read more
1. “Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Important Questions to Ask the Vet.” https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/my-dog-or-cat-healthy-weight-important-questions-ask-vet
Risks
Why Pet Obesity Prevention Matters
Cats and dogs who maintain a healthy weight can live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight or obese pets. Overweight animals are at an increased risk for developing serious health issues.2 Click on the conditions below to learn more.
2. “Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs.” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.15367
Weighing Your Pet
Is Your Dog Overweight?
Preventing pet obesity starts with learning how to assess your pet's weight. Your veterinarian can provide guidelines for a healthy dog weight or healthy cat weight based on your pet's breed and age. Learn more about the signs of obesity in pets and how to keep track of your pet's weight at home.
Preventing pet obesity starts with learning how to assess your pet's
weight as part of their overall care plan. Your veterinarian can provide
guidelines for a healthy dog weight or healthy cat weight based on your pet's
breed and age.
Learn more about the signs of obesity in pets and how to keep
track of your pet's weight at home. If you suspect your dog or cat is overweight,
call your veterinarian to discuss weight management options.
Read more
Dog Weight Chart
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to your dog's overall well-being - but do you know how to tell if they're too thin, too heavy, or just right?
Very Underweight
- Ribs, spine & hip bones are very easy to see
- Very obvious waist & abdominal tuck
- No fat can be felt
Underweight
- Ribs, spine and hip bones are very easy to see
- Obvious waist & abdominal tuck
- Very little fat can be felt
Ideal
- Well-proportioned, hourglass figure
- Ribs are easily felt but not seen
- Visible waist & slight abdominal tuck
- Only a small amount of fat covering
Overweight
- Ribs are difficult to feel under fat
- Waist is barely visible & no abdominal tuck
- Slightly rounded belly
Obese
- Ribs can't be felt under thick fat layer
- Obvious fat deposits over shoulders, ribs, and hips
- Rounded, sagging belly & no waist
Download the GreatPetCare™ App!
Make managing your pet's weight easier with features like the Weight Tracker & Health Journal tools.
Preparing for Your Vet Visit
5 Questions to Ask About Pet Obesity
- 1
Is my pet overweight for their age and breed?
- 2
How many calories should I feed my pet each day, including food, treats, and supplements?
- 3
How much weight should my pet lose in a month?
- 4
What type of exercise does my pet need?
- 5
Is my pet at risk for medical problems due to excess weight?
Download
What to Bring to Your Vet Appointment
Daily log of all food, treats, snacks, and table foods
Daily log of exercise and type
Previous weights and dates they were taken
Download the GreatPetCare™ App!
Make managing your pet's weight easier with features like the Weight Tracker & Health Journal tools.
Products
Selecting the Right Food for Your Pet
Keeping pets at a healthy weight starts by choosing the right food and
providing optimum nutrition.
Additionally, opting for healthier treats and limiting table scraps can
control pet obesity and keep your dog or cat in great shape.
Keeping pets at a healthy weight starts by choosing the right food and providing optimum nutrition. Additionally, opting for healthier treats and limiting table scraps can control pet obesity and keep your dog or cat in great shape.
Food, Treats & Supplements for Overweight Pets
If your dog or cat does need to lose weight, your veterinarian may recommend a weight management dog food or weight management cat food. Explore cat and dog foods for weight loss, low-calorie treats, and helpful supplements. Your veterinarian can help develop a pet weight-loss plan that is personalized for your four-legged friend.
If your dog or cat does need to lose weight, your veterinarian may
recommend a weight management food. To complete a pet weight loss plan,
you can also try other vet-recommended tools and supplements to help
your dog or cat lose and maintain a healthy weight.
Explore foods for weight loss and reach out to your veterinarian to
develop a diet and pet weight-loss plan that is personalized for your
four-legged friend.
Food
Royal Canin® Hydrolyzed Protein PS Dry for Dogs
Food
Purina® Pro Plan® Dog OM Overweight Management® Canned
Medications
Galliprant® Flavored Tablets
Supplements
Dasuquin® Advanced Soft Chews for Dogs
Healthy Treats
Nutrisentials® Lean Treats Nutritional Rewards for Dogs
Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Ongoing Care
Caring for Your Pet When They're Overweight
Getting your pet back on track and beating pet obesity is completely possible with the right diet, exercise routine, and support.
Dog Health
10 Best Exercises for Dog Weight Loss
Wellness
How to Help a Dog Lose Weight: 7 Effective Methods
Wellness
How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?
QUICK
TIP
Remember to schedule regular vet checkups for your pet!
Care Tools
Weight Management Tools
Reminders
Add reminders for things like medication, and set alerts for product recalls to keep your pets healthy and happy.
Add Reminder
Health Journal
Log your pet's health events to track things like food reactions, surgeries, grooming and more.
What Is Pet Obesity?
Obesity in pets refers to excessive weight gain that can negatively impact a pet's ability to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. Dogs and cats are considered obese when they weigh more than 20% above their ideal body weight.
60% of cats are considered overweight or obese.1
1. “Is My Dog or Cat a Healthy Weight? Important Questions to Ask the Vet.” https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/my-dog-or-cat-healthy-weight-important-questions-ask-vet
Risks
Why Pet Obesity Prevention Matters
Cats and dogs who maintain a healthy weight can live up to 2.5 years longer than overweight or obese pets. Overweight animals are at an increased risk for developing serious health issues.2 Click on the conditions below to learn more.
2. “Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs.” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.15367
Weighing Your Pet
Is Your Cat Overweight?
Preventing pet obesity starts with learning how to assess your pet's weight. Your veterinarian can provide guidelines for a healthy dog weight or healthy cat weight based on your pet's breed and age. Learn more about the signs of obesity in pets and how to keep track of your pet's weight at home.
Preventing pet obesity starts with learning how to assess your pet's
weight as part of their overall care plan. Your veterinarian can
provide guidelines for a healthy dog weight or healthy cat weight
based on your pet's breed and age.
Learn more about the signs of obesity in pets and how to keep track
of your pet's weight at home. If you suspect your dog or cat is
overweight, call your veterinarian to discuss weight management
options.
Read more
Cat Weight Chart
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to your cat's overall well-being - but do you know how to tell if they're too thin, too heavy, or just right?
Very Underweight
- Ribs, spine & hip bones are very easy to see
- Very obvious waist & abdominal tuck
- No fat can be felt
Underweight
- Ribs, spine and hip bones are very easy to see
- Obvious waist & abdominal tuck
- Very little fat can be felt
Ideal
- Well-proportioned, hourglass figure
- Ribs are easily felt but not seen
- Visible waist & slight abdominal tuck
- Only a small amount of fat covering
Overweight
- Ribs are difficult to feel under fat
- Waist is barely visible & no abdominal tuck
- Slightly rounded belly
Obese
- Ribs can't be felt under thick fat layer
- Obvious fat deposits over shoulders, ribs, and hips
- Rounded, sagging belly & no waist
Download the GreatPetCare™ App!
Make managing your pet's weight easier with features like the Weight Tracker & Health Journal tools.
Preparing for Your Vet Visit
5 Questions to Ask About Pet Obesity
- 1
Is my pet overweight for their age and breed?
- 2
How many calories should I feed my pet each day, including food, treats, and supplements?
- 3
How much weight should my pet lose in a month?
- 4
What type of exercise does my pet need?
- 5
Is my pet at risk for medical problems due to excess weight?
What to Bring to Your Vet Appointment
Daily log of all food, treats, snacks, and table foods
Daily log of exercise and type
Previous weights and dates they were taken
Download the GreatPetCare™ App!
Make managing your pet's weight easier with features like the Weight Tracker & Health Journal tools.
Products
Selecting the Right Food for Your Pet
Keeping pets at a healthy weight starts by choosing the right food
and providing optimum nutrition.
Additionally, opting for healthier treats and limiting table scraps
can control pet obesity and keep your dog or cat in great shape.
Keeping pets at a healthy weight starts by choosing the right food and providing optimum nutrition. Additionally, opting for healthier treats and limiting table scraps can control pet obesity and keep your dog or cat in great shape.
Food, Treats & Supplements for Overweight Pets
If your dog or cat does need to lose weight, your veterinarian may recommend a weight management dog food or weight management cat food. Explore cat and dog foods for weight loss, low-calorie treats, and helpful supplements. Your veterinarian can help develop a pet weight-loss plan that is personalized for your four-legged friend.
If your dog or cat does need to lose weight, your veterinarian may
recommend a weight management food. To complete a pet weight loss
plan, you can also try other vet-recommended tools and supplements
to help your dog or cat lose and maintain a healthy weight.
Explore foods for weight loss and reach out to your veterinarian
to develop a diet and pet weight-loss plan that is personalized for
your four-legged friend.
Food
Hill's® Prescription Diet® Cat Metabolic Weight Management Cans
Food
Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets Cat OM Overweight Management® Dry
Food
Royal Canin Satiety Support Dry for Cats
Supplements
Dasuquin® Advanced for Cats Sprinkle Capsules
Healthy Treats
Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets Cat Crunchy Bites Treats
Healthy Treats
Nutrisentials® Lean Treats Nutritional Rewards for Cats
Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Ongoing Care
Caring for Your Pet When They're Overweight
Getting your pet back on track and beating pet obesity is completely possible with the right diet, exercise routine, and support.
Cat Health
8 Best Exercises for Cat Weight Loss
Cat Nutrition
How Many Calories Should a Cat Eat?
Wellness
How to Help a Cat Lose Weight: 8 Things to Try
QUICK
TIP
Remember to schedule regular vet checkups for your pet!
Care Tools
Weight Management Tools
Reminders
Add reminders for things like medication, and set alerts for product recalls to keep your pets healthy and happy.
Add Reminder
Health Journal
Log your pet's health events to track things like food reactions, surgeries, grooming and more.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
NexGard® PLUS (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is safe for puppies at 8 weeks, weighing 4 pounds or more. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and itching. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection prior to starting a preventive.
Sources:
1 doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15367
2 NexGard PLUS product website. https://nexgardforpets.com/nexgard-plus Accessed online November 27, 2023.
NexGard is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France, used under license. HEARTGARD is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
