Weight Management in Pets: Helping Your Pet Stay Healthy and Happy
- bridgecityvetrehab
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s long-term health and comfort. Pets who stay at their ideal weight live longer, move easier, and are at a lower risk for many health conditions.
How We Assess Your Pet’s Weight
During a veterinary visit, we use Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to determine whether a pet is underweight, ideal, or overweight.We assess:
Ribs: Should be easily felt without excess fat covering.
Abdomen: Should show an hourglass shape when viewed from above.
Waist: Should appear tucked when viewed from the side.
Why Weight Matters
Excess weight doesn’t just affect appearance — it impacts mobility and health:
Each extra pound adds four pounds of torque on a dog’s cruciate ligament (ACL). Unfortunately one of the top injuries we see in our clinic.
Fat tissue (adipose) releases pro inflammatory mediators that can contribute to inflammation within the body potentially worsening arthritis and joint pain.
Even a 6% weight loss can reduce lameness in arthritic pets.
We’ve seen incredible transformations! One of our patients lost over 30 lbs and no longer needs pain medication for elbow dysplasia — an amazing success story that shows just how powerful healthy weight management can be.
Nutrition and Healthy Weight Loss
Prescription weight management diets are designed to reduce fat while preserving lean muscle and provide balanced nutrition during the process.
If switching foods, transition gradually over 7 days to minimize the risk of stomach upset.Once your pet is fully transitioned, we recommend weigh-ins every 2 weeks to ensure progress and make adjustments if needed.
Healthy weight loss is typically 1–2% per week — too rapid a loss can signal that calories are too restricted.
Life Stages and Dietary Needs
Caloric needs change throughout life:
Puppies and kittens need extra calories for growth.
Adults typically require maintenance-level nutrition.
Senior pets often need higher protein to help preserve muscle mass (especially in cats).
Aging pets may also struggle with accessibility — keep food bowls easy to reach. Raised feeders can help arthritic dogs, and ensure cats don’t have to jump to eat. Providing traction (like rugs or yoga mats) around feeding areas can also prevent slips and encourage eating.
Spaying, Neutering, and Metabolism
After spaying or neutering, metabolism naturally slows down. This means caloric needs often decrease — a good time to reassess diet and portion size to prevent gradual weight gain.
Treats in Moderation
Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. Remember, “treats” include everything outside the regular diet — table scraps, supplements, dental chews, and even food used to hide medication.
A few quick examples:
A cheese string has ~90 calories — which could make up a large portion of a small dogs daily needs.
Healthier alternatives include cooked zucchini or green beans, which are low-calorie and filling.
Exercise and Joint-Friendly Activity
Regular activity supports healthy weight and muscle tone.For pets carrying extra weight or struggling with mobility, Underwater Treadmill Therapy is a safe, low-impact way to strengthen muscles while the buoyancy of water protects joints.
We’re Here to Help
Weight management can feel overwhelming — but you’re not alone. Our team at Bridge City Veterinary Rehabilitation is here to support you and your pet with compassion, personalized plans, and plenty of encouragement.
If you think your pet’s diet or activity plan needs an adjustment, schedule a consultation today. Let’s work together to keep your furry family member moving comfortably and living their happiest, healthiest life!