Keeping Your Dog Healthy: Weight Management

A healthy weight looks different on every dog.

A Body Condition Score (BCS) is a tool veterinary teams use to evaluate whether a dog is underweight, at an ideal weight, or overweight. It considers more than the number on the scale. Your veterinary team looks at how easily your dog’s ribs can be felt, whether they have a visible waist, and how much body fat they’re carrying.

What does the 1–9 scale mean?

1–3 | Underweight
Ribs, spine, or hip bones may be easy to see or feel, with very little body fat.

4–5 | Ideal
Ribs can be easily felt with a thin layer of fat covering them. Your dog should have a visible waist when viewed from above and an abdominal tuck when viewed from the side.

6–7 | Overweight
Ribs become more difficult to feel, the waist becomes less noticeable, and extra fat may be present around the abdomen.

8–9 | Obese
Ribs can be difficult to feel beneath excess fat, the waist may no longer be visible, and fat deposits may be noticeable around the abdomen and other areas of the body.

Why does a healthy weight matter?

Extra weight isn’t just about appearance. Obesity can affect your dog’s overall health and quality of life. Excess weight puts additional stress on the joints and can make walking, playing, and everyday movement more difficult. Obesity is also associated with increased risks for conditions such as diabetes, orthopedic problems, breathing difficulties, and other health concerns.

The goal isn’t simply a lower number on the scale. It’s helping your dog move comfortably, stay active, and maintain their health for as long as possible.

Treats still count.

Treats can be part of a healthy routine, but those extra calories add up. Try small pieces of lower-calorie, dog-safe foods, such as plain carrots, green beans, or cucumber, or choose lower-calorie training treats. You can also set aside a portion of your dog’s regular kibble and use it as treats throughout the day.

Talk with your veterinary team

If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight, notice unexplained weight gain or loss, or want help creating a safe nutrition and activity plan. Never drastically reduce your dog’s food without veterinary guidance.Every dog’s nutritional needs are different. Breed, age, activity level, metabolism, health conditions, and whether your dog is spayed or neutered can all affect how many calories they need.