Weight hides under fur. Feel the ribs. On many healthy dogs and cats you can find them with light pressure, without them standing out like a ladder. From above, there is often a waist behind the ribs. From the side, the belly tucks up a little. These are clues, not a score you should invent at home and then worry over at midnight.
If you can, weigh on the same scales at the same time of day. A clinic scale is better than a bathroom guess while you hold a wriggling animal. Write the number down. A trend over months tells you more than one surprising afternoon. Nurse clinics exist for this kind of ordinary tracking.
If your vet agrees the animal is carrying too much, reduce the daily amount slightly and cut the extras first: leftovers, chews, and the second dinner from another person in the house. Agree who feeds. Fasting a dog or cat to “start again” is unkind and, in some animals, unsafe. Ask your vet before a big cut, especially for cats.
Losing weight without a change in food is not a success. It can be the first sign that something else is going on, particularly in an older cat. Do not congratulate the diet. Book a visit and mention thirst, vomiting, and energy as well as the number on the scale.
Ask your vet for a target and a pace. This page will not tell you how many grams to remove. It is general, it is not a diagnosis, and a qualified vet should review it before it is treated as clinic advice.
Printable summary
- Feel the ribs and look from above for a waist.
- Use the same scales, not a feeling.
- Change food amounts slowly and with advice.
- Sudden loss or gain is a reason to call, not a diet project.
Last reviewed: 18 March 2026. Reviewed by: [vet name to be completed]. Ask your vet before you change what you do at home.
