5.1 Healthy Pet Weight
Figuring out the ideal weight for your pet is not like putting yourself on the scales.

It is about examining the pet's body and assessing the body fat content. Vets will put your cat on the scales and get the weight, but with so many breeds, mixed breeds, and health factors, there is no exact range for a healthy pet weight. Instead, there is a chart with a body score. The chart shows pictures of cats or dogs and what to examine in order to determine the ideal body.

Body Score 1

Body score 1 is very thin, where your animal has less than 5% body fat. The ribs are easily felt with no fat cover. When the bones of the tail base are raised, it indicates that there is no fat. A side view shows a severe abdominal tuck, while the overhead view shows a bony hourglass shape. A cat or dog, where you can see its ribs and the outline of its bones, is at least 20% below the ideal body weight. It is very important to consult with a vet when your cat or dog is in this condition.

Body Score 2 Body score 2 is underweight, where your animal has 5-15% body fat. Your cat or dog in this condition will still have ribs easily felt, with very little fat cover. The tailbone is raised with a slight cover, and the side view shows some ribs with an abdominal tuck. The overhead view is also markedly hourglass in shape. Cats or dogs in this physical shape are usually 10% below the ideal weight mark.

Any time you can see a pronounced rib structure, your dog or cat is underweight. If you can stand back and count the ribs, you need to see a vet.

Body Score

3 Body score 3 is the ideal body weight, where your animal has approximately 16-25 % body fat. The ribs are still felt, but you are not going to see them from a side or overhead view. You cannot count them just by looking at your cat or dog. You will also see slight contouring from the tail base but not see the actual bone.

Body Score 4

Body score 4 is considered overweight, where your animal has 26-35 % body fat. The ribs are not easy to feel, the tail base is thicker, so there is less contouring, and the side view shows no abdominal tucking. The overhead view shows a wider back end. Most pets in this condition are at least 10% over the ideal body weight, and a vet should be seen.

Body Score 5

Body score 5 is obese, where your animal has 35% body fat or above. The ribs are extremely difficult to feel, and the tail base is thickened. The side view shows no waist, and the overhead view shows a wide back end. Pets are usually 20% above the ideal body weight at this weight and need a change of diet.

Keep in mind this is just a description of body fat and weight. Your cat may be 20 pounds and still have the ideal body weight for his proportions, or your dog may be 50 pounds and be slightly underweight. It all depends on the specific species and breed.

Likewise, a male cat, who is very active, more than 1.5 feet in length, and standing 6 inches off the ground, is going to weigh more than a cat 1 foot in length, standing only 4 inches off the ground. Muscles weigh more, so as long as the body fat percentage and ideal shape are there, you will have a healthy pet.

5.2 Weight Problems

Weight problems usually lead to other health problems for your pet.

Let's focus on the underweight dog or cat. An underweight animal is not getting enough food. Often, this animal asks for more food. You can see their ribs, and they are starting to turn aggressive because they do not feel good.

An underweight animal can die from starvation.

However, there can be an underlying cause of this starvation. You may feel you are feeding your pet properly. You might increase their food intake, but they are still underweight. This can happen if there are worms or another internal issue with your pet. If you see little seeds appearing around the house, these can be worm casings. If there is a stomach blockage and your pet is vomiting more often, they could be losing weight even though it appears they are eating. For cats, it is easier to see if they are vomiting, but for dogs, you may not see what is happening if you are away and your dog is outside all day.

Weight problems have to be addressed.

If you see a change in how your pet is eating, then you definitely need to speak with a vet and have tests run.

Health problems can also exist with a pet that is overweight.

Just as obesity in humans causes many diseases, obesity in cats and dogs can lead to health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, bone problems, and other health issues can result. Fractures in your pet's bones can occur due to the excess weight. The older the cat or dog is, the more likely bone fractures are to occur in your overweight animal. You can fix weight problems as long as you pay attention to what is going on with your animal.

Obesity is the number one issue in the pet world. Source: newtonvetclinic.com

5.3 Pets Not Eating

Pets, as they age, can become finicky.

After a lifetime of eating the same food, they may want a little variety in the type of food you purchase.

You do not have to change the brand unless it is causing health problems, but you can switch around the flavors. For example, if you feed salmon and ocean fish, you might change to venison and lamb. For wet food, you might consider adding as many flavors as are sold in that particular brand. You may get chunks, pate, and shredded styles as a way to get more flavors and consistencies for your pet. It depends on what you are feeding. You usually want to stay with the same food brand unless otherwise directed.

If you decide to change your pet's food before taking your pet to a vet, look to see if they are eating again beyond two weeks. Some cats and dogs will start to eat again because they are excited over the new flavors but will go back to not eating due to discomfort after a week or two.

If changing the flavors does not help, then you may need to visit a vet to figure out if there is an underlying issue.

Another thing that could stop your pet from eating is a tooth problem. Tooth decay hurts. Any cavity your pet has could make chewing very painful. Gingivitis can also cause inflammation that is uncomfortable when your pet tries to eat. Plaque can be one cause of gum disease. This is typical if you do not provide dental care for your dog or cat.

There is also a disease that comes from fleas called Bartonella. Bartonella causes gingivitis, fever, and conjunctivitis and can lead to death in your animal. Pets rescued from shelters are more apt to get Bartonella because of the many animals at the shelter and the possibility of fleas. Bartonella is a disease that can take years to start showing any symptoms.

Intestinal issues such as kidney crystals or stomach tumors can cause a change in how your pet eats. Worms, as mentioned above, are not generally a cause of eating less, but overeating.

Pets that are not eating may also have a behavioral issue. They may be worried, depressed, anxious, or suffering from any other behavioral problem that lessens their desire to eat.

Usually, blood work, stool samples, urine samples, and physical exams will be able to reveal why your pet is not eating if they stop.

Finding the cause is the only way you can correct the issue.

5.4 Pets Overeating

Dogs are known to overeat, particularly when you leave their food in a bowl.

However, most cats are not going to eat until they are bursting. Yet, your dog or cat may start to overeat due to medical or behavioral issues. Worms are a leading cause of pets overeating.

Worms take the nutrients that get to the stomach, digesting them, growing, and expelling their casings through your pet's waste system. Sometimes, they expel portions of their body as new parts grow. It is an unpleasant thing to see, and you may not realize your pet is infected until you start to see large numbers of casings lying around the house.

Worms can be diagnosed and treated.

It can take a stool and urine sample to diagnose worms and antibiotics or natural alternatives to kill them. If you provide flea or tick medicine, it is less likely for your pet to be infected with worms. However, a rescue animal may already suffer from worms, and it can take a few months to six months before you realize your pet has a problem.

Overeating due to compensation can also occur. Some pets will overeat because they feel insecure. They are at the food bowl making themselves happy because they associate eating with good feelings. This is harder to see, but it does happen. You may see it if you have scolded your pet or tried to remove their food.

Some pets will overeat if the food bowl starts to get empty. This is a survival instinct. They eat because they fear no more food will be coming. Other pets may begin to overeat if they are left for a week or more while you enjoy a holiday. This can be related to abandonment and worry that you will not be back to feed them ever again.

Both behavioral and medical issues that are causing your pet to overeat can be treated. You want to get on a better diet for your pet and limit their food intake within reason to ensure their obesity issues are corrected.

Part 5 Summary

Your pet has an ideal weight based on their physical appearance. You can tell if your pet is overweight or underweight by whether you can see their normal healthy shape.

If you see ribs and can count those ribs just by sight, your pet is underweight.

If your dog or cat's belly is rounded and beyond their rear end, your pet is overweight.

There is no magic number for weight. When your pet has weight problems, you need to address health and behavioral issues.

Only when you have addressed the underlying problem can you get your pet to eat more or less and return to a healthy weight.

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Finally, check out our Hot Diggity Dog Blog for the other modules in this series on Pet Nutrition at: Blog