Does My Pet Need Weight Watchers? The Fat and Skinny About Your Pet’s Weight
Just like with humans, talking about our pet’s weight can be awkward. The truth of the matter is that most of our pets are a bit on the pudgier side of the scales. Most of the time our pets are just “well loved.” Other times, a good grasp of a normal and appropriate body condition is eschewed. Getting a handle on our pet’s weight is critical for providing them a long, happy, and healthy life. While BMI, body mass index, is the human go to for evaluation of weight, BCS, or body condition scoring, is your veterinarians favorite tool.
Primary care veterinarian, Dr. Diaz, suggests that a nice waist and minimal fat covering your pet’s ribs indicates that their body condition score is anywhere from “normal” to “thin but normal.” You should be able to feel your pets ribs when firmly pressing on their side. When looking at your pet from above, you should be able to see the waist or a natural indentation just below the rib-cage. Take a peek at this link for the basics of body condition scoring and grade your pets today!
https://www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/weightmgmt_bodyconditionscoring.pdf
Dr. Diaz graduated from the University of Florida and joined Friendship in 2015. Dr. Diaz completed her internship at Friendship in 2016 and has been a staff doctor ever since. Her professional interests include shelter medicine and international outreach.
* Featured image courtesy of Protective Pet Solutions.
