How to become a pet size-o-meter guru

It is estimated that up to 45% of all pets are either overweight or obese, yet when surveyed two in three people believe their pet is the correct weight. In another study owners were asked to identify an image of a healthy pet, this proved quite difficult for some, with 36% of cat owners picking an image of an overweight cat! 

How do I tell if my pet is overweight? 

The best way is to make a visual assessment and use a scale known as the Body Condition Score (BCS) or more recently as the Size-O-Meter. This takes into consideration the physical shape of your pet. The scale runs from 1-5. 1 is too thin, 5 is too fat and 3 is just right! Perfecto!

How to assess your pet 

Run your hands down your pet’s side – can you feel the indentation of their ribs, spine and waist under a thin layer of fat? You should also be able to visually see a defined waist if you look down at your pet from above. Some breeds like Greyhounds should be more defined in their shape and have a higher waist, with breeds like Staffordshire Bull terriers being a bit broader. Either way you should still only have a thin layer of fat. A deposit of fat at the base of the tail is also a tell-tale sign that your pet may be carrying some extra weight. Unfortunately, some breeds, like Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Rottweilers, are more prone to putting on weight. 

It might be a little more difficult if you have a long haired cat to really gauge from looking alone, flatten their hair down as you run your hands along their body and feel for a defined shape. As a general rule when you look from above they should have a figure of eight/ hourglass figure….. no your cat does not have a genetically small head, unfortunately he’s overweight. 







What are the long term implications of my pet being overweight? 

Being overweight seriously affects your pet’s quality of life. It can lead to health problems and a reduced life span, with experts estimating your pet’s life expectancy can be reduced by 2 years. Apart from a reduced active life, overweight pets are also more at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, each condition coming with a myriad of other problems. I have found that overweight pets are also more prone to behavioural issues (usually linked to a lack of exercise and being bored through lack of mental stimulation) and often have cancers undiagnosed as their owners simply didn’t see any growth as their pet’s chunky shape made it difficult to notice and abnormalities.

Become a pet Size-O-Meter guru and asses your pet's shape today, do let me know what score they get.

Find out more : What food should I feed my overweight pet.

Download a large version of the DOG SIZE-O-METER, CAT SIZE-O-METER - produced by the PFMA.
With pet obesity on the rise and the associated health risks, being able to identify an overweight pet is an important skill for pet owners.