Is my dog overweight or underweight? 🐕⚖️

Ever looked at your pup and wondered: “Am I spoiling them with too many snacks, or do they actually need a second dinner?”  When a vet checks your dog’s weight, they don’t just look at the number on the scale. They use something called a Body Condition Score (BCS), a doggy version of “mirror check + scale.”

Just like humans, there’s no one-size-fits-all “perfect weight.” Even within the same breed, healthy body shapes can vary. Learning to determine the BCS of your dog is one of the best ways to keep them fit, healthy, and tail-wagging at every life stage.

Quick tip for fluffy dogs 🐾

If your dog has a lot of fur, picture them wet after a bath — it’s much easier to see their real shape.

The four key checks

When assessing your dog, focus on these four areas:

• Ribs & spine — Can you feel them? (you should!)
• Waist — Is there a tuck-in behind the ribcage when you look from above?
• Abdominal tuck — Belly should slope upwards when viewed from the side.
• Fat deposits — Noticeable padding at the base of the tail or elsewhere = extra fluff.

Vets assign a score out of 9 based on what they see and feel. You can do this at home with a gentle hands-on check and a side/overhead look.

The scorecard: Where does your dog land?

🦴 Underweight (1–3)

1. Ribs, spine, and pelvic bones stick out; no fat; muscle loss visible.
2. Bones obvious, still no fat; minimal muscle.
3. Ribs easy to feel/see; visible waist + abdominal tuck; pelvis prominent.

✅ Just right (4–5)

1. Ribs easy to feel with light fat cover; waist and tuck visible.
2. Ribs felt without excess padding; waist behind ribs; tummy nicely tucked.

🍩 Overweight to obese (6–9)

1. Ribs feelable with slight fat; waist less obvious; abdominal tuck apparent.
   
2. Hard to feel ribs; heavy fat over spine/tail; waist barely visible.
3. Ribs buried; lots of fat on spine/tail; waist gone; belly bulges.
4. Extreme fat deposits everywhere (neck, chest, spine, limbs); no waist or tuck; obvious abdominal distension.

Why it matters

Yes, chubby dogs can be cute but extra pounds are anything but harmless. Fat isn’t just fluff; it’s active tissue that affects hormones and increases inflammation. Health risks include:

• Arthritis & stiff joints
• Diabetes & pancreatitis
• High blood pressure
• Trouble under anesthesia
• Reduced exercise and heat tolerance

Keeping your dog at their ideal BCS means:

• More energy for playtime
• Less strain on joints
• A longer, healthier life

How to keep your dog at a healthy weight

• Pick one person to handle feeding and track progress.
• Weigh portions — don’t eyeball it!
• Track weekly weight and measurements.
• Hide treats — out of sight = out of paw.
• Slow feeding with puzzle feeders, Kongs, or scatter feeding.
• Exercise daily — walks, play, tug, fetch — whatever gets tails wagging.

💡 Tip: Diet has the biggest impact on weight, but exercise builds strength and keeps your dog happy.

Virtual veterinary consultations only available in BC and ON. Consultations are $95 plus tax. If medication is prescribed as a result of the consultation, you will be charged a service fee of $30 plus tax, regardless of the number of medications prescribed as a result of this consultation. Must be age of majority in your province. Any payments for consultations must be paid using a valid credit card. Other restrictions also apply. Visit telus.com/mypet for more information. Virtual vet technician consultations are $40 plus tax. Must be the age of majority in your province. Any payments for consultations must be paid using a valid credit card. Other restrictions also apply. Visit telus.com/mypet for more information.