Why weight matters in adulthood

Keeping a suitable weight in adulthood helps the joints, heart and metabolism work under better conditions as the years go by. It isn’t about aiming for thinness, but about the balance that suits each individual animal.

How we assess body condition

During the exam, we feel the ribs (they should be easy to feel, without being visibly prominent) and check whether there’s a visible waist from above and a tucked-up abdominal profile from the side. This assessment, more than the exact number on the scale, is what guides whether anything needs adjusting.

Habits that help

  • Keeping regular feeding times, rather than leaving food available all day.
  • Measuring portions rather than judging by eye.
  • Limiting treats and table scraps, or counting them as part of the daily ration.
  • Adapting exercise to the animal’s actual physical condition, not the one we’d like them to have.
  • Weighing them periodically to catch changes early.

When to seek advice

A weight change that doesn’t match their usual diet or exercise, a loss of appetite, or more thirst than usual are reasons to book an appointment, beyond whichever check-up is due.