How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight and How to Tell if Your Cat is Obese

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By mkh1958
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Tell if Your Dog is Overweight and Tell if Your Cat is Obese

How can I tell if my dog or cat is overweight or obese? Of the estimated 163 million dogs and cats in the United States, 50% are overweight or obese (cats more than dogs). Our pets rely on us to care for them. Here are some simple steps and resources to help you keep your dog or cat fit and at a healthy weight.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Weight scale
Your hands and eyes
Veterinarian

Step 1

Step on the weight scale yourself and note your weight.
Step 2

Step on the weight scale holding your pet and note the total weight.
Step 3

Subtract your weight from the total weight and the remaining pounds belong to your pet.
Step 4

Compare your dog's weight to ideal dog weights as determined by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention:

*German Shepherd Dog – between 70 and 95 lbs.
*Retrievers (Labrador and Golden) – between 55 and 80 lbs
*Boxer – between 53 and 70 lbs.
*Beagle – between 26 and 31 lbs.
*Shih Tzu – between 8 and 18 lbs.
*Dachshund – less than 16 lbs.
*Miniature Schnauzer – between 11 and 15 lbs.
*Miniature Poodle – 11 lbs.
*Yorkshire Terrier – 8 lbs.
Step 5

If you own a cat, compare its weight to ideal cat weights as determined by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention:

*Maine Coon – between 11 and 15 lbs.
*Persian – between 10 and 11 lbs.
*Domestic Cat – between 8 and 10 lbs.
*Siamese – between 5 and 10 lbs.
Step 6

Dog silhouettes - fit, overweight, obese

Signs of obesity: ribs not easily felt under fat, stomach sags instead of tight against body, no waist in front of hips, back is flat and broad.
Step 7

Cat silhouettes - fit, overweight, obese

Your vet can use a Body Condition Scoring System 1-9 (emaciated to grossly overweight)to determine your cat or dog's current condition.

Comments

lrane said

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on 3/24/2009 Great article! I wasn't sure if my cat was obese or just built larger than my others. 5*'s and rec

docjenny said

on 3/24/2009 This is a very important topic. Our four-legged friends need us to be smart about their diet and exercise. Their lives depend on us! 5* and a rec!