Is Your Pet Overweight? A Kind Guide to Getting It Right

We show love with treats and full bowls, but carrying extra weight is one of the most common health problems in pets — and it quietly shortens their lives, straining joints, hearts and organs. The good news: it's very fixable, and your pet will feel better for it.

Is my pet overweight?

You shouldn't need a scale to get a good idea. On a healthy pet you should be able to:

• Feel their ribs easily with a light touch (without a thick fat layer).
• See a visible "waist" when looking down from above.
• See the tummy tuck up rather than hang down from the side.

If the ribs are hard to feel and the waist has vanished, it's time to act.

Helping them slim down safely

• Measure meals — use a proper measuring cup and follow feeding guides for their ideal weight, not their current one.
• Cut the treats — or swap to healthy ones like carrot or green beans, and count them as part of the daily total.
• No table scraps — those extras add up fast.
• More movement — build up walks and play gradually.
• Weigh-ins — many vets offer free weight checks so you can track progress.

Go slow and steady

Crash diets are dangerous, especially for cats. Aim for gradual, steady loss and involve your vet, who can rule out medical causes and set a safe target. A leaner pet is a more comfortable, more playful, longer-lived pet — that's love, too.