It’s common for humans to set New Year’s goals around their own health and weight — but what about your pets?
A healthy weight can make a big difference in your pet’s comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life, and there’s no better time than the start of a new year to check in.
Why Weight Matters:
Did you know nearly 60% of pets are overweight or obese?
Extra weight can increase the risk of arthritis 🦴, diabetes 🍬, heart disease ❤️, and can even shorten a pet’s lifespan. On the flip side, being underweight can also signal underlying health concerns.
Wondering Where Your Pet Stands?
A helpful tool we use is the Purina Body Condition Score (BCS) scale:
- Score 4–5 (Ideal): Ribs can be felt without excess fat, and a waist is visible ✔️
- Score 6–9 (Overweight to Obese): Ribs are harder to feel, little to no waist ⚠️
- Score 1–3 (Underweight): Ribs, spine, or hip bones may be easily visible or felt 🚨
Quick At-Home Check:
- Can you easily feel your pet’s ribs without pressing hard?
- Is there a visible waist when looking down from above?
- Do the ribs, spine, or hip bones feel very prominent?
- Has your pet lost weight, muscle, or energy recently?
If you answered “no” to the first two, your pet may be carrying extra weight.
If you answered “yes” to the last two, your pet may be underweight and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Fun Fact! Our doctors assess your pet’s Body Condition Score (BCS) at every exam.
If you’re unsure where your pet currently falls on the scale, just reach out — we’re happy to check your pet’s medical record and let you know their most recent evaluation. You’re also welcome to stop in anytime for a quick weigh-in!
The Easy Part: Weight Checks 🐾
Good news — no appointment is needed just to check your pet’s weight! You’re welcome to stop by anytime and have your pet weighed by our team.
If you’d like help addressing weight concerns, you can schedule an appointment and we’ll work with you to create a plan that makes sense for your pet. That may include:
- Calculating your pet’s Resting Energy Requirement (RER) based on their current food
- Reviewing treats, table scraps, and snacks
- Recommending a diet change
- Discussing other medical or treatment options when appropriate
Every pet is different, and we always consider the whole picture.
When an Appointment Is a Good Idea
We recommend scheduling an exam if your pet has:
- A BCS outside the ideal range (4–5)
- Sudden or unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Trouble exercising, stiffness, or reluctance to move
- Vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or low energy
- Any questions or concerns about feeding amounts or activity level
❤️ Our goal is always the same: to be your partner in your pet’s health and to provide care with kindness, compassion, and zero judgment.
Stop in anytime for a quick weigh-in, or schedule an appointment if you’d like to talk next steps — we’re here whenever you need us!