Pet obesity on the rise in the UK

[Ash]

Must be similar in the States?

http://money.msn.co.uk/insurance/Insigh ... nsfatpets/

Does anyone here know any online weight charts for cats and dogs?

[Traci]

Feline/Canine Body Condition Score

[Ash]

Thanks Traci! One of my dogs is overweight. The cats are ideal, Tommy might be slightly overweight. My male dog looks a little underweight. He has always been a picky eater.

[E's]

Thanks, Traci, for the handy combined reference to weight considerations for the two most common species of domestic pet. As to actual weight charts, however, for feline and canine - IMO there is just too much variation/difference within each species, to say nothing of differences between the two species, for a combination of data to be feasible... of course I may be out of date already on this, as I often am regarding the growing interaction of cyber space

But for now, I personally would still rely on breed or breed-type standards for dogs, and well-known non-holistic publications and/or internet guidelines for cats. And for both - always the qualified, trustworthy DVM! Below is an interesting article from the website of the veterinary clinic to which I take my pets.

Twice daily I feed my dog a carefully measured ration of premium chow with a very small amount of plain canned chicken as a taste lure; at the same times my cat gets 2 or 3 tablespoons of high quality canned catfood - he has his premium cat chow available at all times. This schedule works well for both, and neither has a significant weight problem so far, but I do worry about my GSD now that I cannot take her for walks or even play with her in the yard for very long at a time. The cat gets lots of exercise romping up and down stairs and jumping to check out the view from several window shelves

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/catsaredif.html

[Traci]

As with everything, the weight chart is intended to be a guide, and ultimately, it is up to the owner and their vet to determine appropriate weight, based on age, lifestyle, diet, activity level, the pet's individual physiological make-up, etc. (in dogs, breed is also a factor).

Obesity in pets is a rising concern, and it happens to be a topic in veterinary medicine that is recieving much more attention than in years past...rightfully so.