The chubby Bichon Frise stands on the electronic scale, looking innocently at its owner. Despite weighing only 5 kilograms, it has a body fat percentage of 38%, which is 15 percentage points above the healthy standard.
As living standards improve, more and more families are adopting pets. Many people express their affection by providing their pets with excessive amounts of food and snacks, leading to a growing problem of pet obesity.
Global data shows that 40% of adult dogs and cats are overweight or obese. In China, this figure reaches 50%—meaning that one in every two dogs and cats is overweight.
01 The Current State and Risks of Pet Obesity
Pet obesity has become a global issue. A 2024 report by the UK Pet Food Industry Association shows that 50% of dogs and 43% of cats are overweight.
Worryingly, over a quarter of pet owners have a vague understanding of the concept of “healthy weight.” This includes not knowing what is overweight for a cat or what is the ideal weight for a cat. Nearly one-fifth of pet owners are influenced by online rumors, falling into a vicious cycle of “the more you feed them, the fatter they get.”
Obesity can lead to various health issues. Fat cells secrete TNF-α inflammatory factors, which attack joints, the liver, and the pancreas.
Overweight cats have a threefold higher risk of developing diabetes and a fourfold higher incidence of joint diseases compared to normal cats. When a cat’s weight exceeds 15% of its standard weight, every jump becomes torture for its joints.
Obesity also shortens a pet’s lifespan. Obese dogs have an average lifespan reduced by 2.5 years, and cats by 1.8 years.
02 Identifying and Calculating Healthy Weight
Determining a pet’s ideal weight requires a scientific approach. The Body Condition Score (BCS) system (a 9-point scale chart) is a commonly used assessment tool. This is essential for understanding what does the average cat weigh and how much should a female cat weigh.
The ideal weight for an adult orange cat should be maintained between 4–5 kilograms. Surveys indicate that over 60% of domestic orange cats exceed 6 kilograms, with some reaching over 8 kilograms.
Daily energy requirements can be calculated using a scientific formula: DER = RER × activity factor. Where RER (resting energy requirement) = 70 × weight (kg)⁰.
The activity factor is adjusted based on the pet’s condition: 0.8 for senior dogs, 1.4 for active cats, and 1.2 for post-surgery dogs. This formula allows for more precise calculation of a pet’s daily energy needs.
Regular weighing and body fat testing are important. Body fat testing instruments at veterinary clinics provide accurate data, which is more scientific than visual judgment at home.
03 Dietary Control and Nutritional Management
Dietary management is the core defense against obesity. Veterinarians recommend choosing prescription diets high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Protein content >40% helps maintain muscle mass, while fiber content of 8–12% enhances satiety.
Controlling portion sizes is important. An adult orange cat should not consume more than 250 calories per day. Switching to slow-feeding bowls or scent mats can extend mealtime and reduce the urge to overeat.
The chief nutritionist at the Shanghai Canine Behavior Research Institute recommends the “211 Diet Method”: two servings of high-fiber vegetables, one serving of high-quality protein, and one serving of complex carbohydrates per meal.
Avoid feeding human snacks. High-calorie foods like potato chips and cakes are detrimental to pet health. After sterilization, dietary energy needs to be adjusted, and weight gain food should no longer be fed.
04 Exercise and Environmental Modifications
Exercise is a key component of weight loss. Dogs need three sessions of swimming or agility training per week, while cats require three 10-minute sessions of laser pointer chasing daily.
Interval training is highly effective. Breaking traditional dog walks into three 10-minute brisk walks in the morning and evening can increase fat burning efficiency by 35%.
Environmental modifications can also increase activity levels. Installing vertical climbing frames (for cats) and setting up scent exploration paths (for dogs) are effective methods.
Gamified exercise programs are worth trying. Some use interactive toys to increase pet activity, such as ball-throwing games or treat-dispensing toys.
05 Avoid common weight loss misconceptions and risks
There are “three major risks” in weight loss: strictly avoid the 7-day fasting method (which can cause fatty liver disease); do not use human weight loss medications (which can lead to kidney failure); and avoid sudden intense exercise (which can damage joints).
Inappropriate dieting can trigger the “starvation gene,” causing the body to enter energy-storage mode, which paradoxically lowers basal metabolic rate, leads to muscle loss, and increases body fat percentage.
Approximately 17% of pet dogs have a “prone-to-obesity constitution.” Their fat cell count is 2-3 times that of ordinary dogs, making them more prone to weight gain even when consuming the same amount of calories.
Do not blindly use weight loss products. Biotechnology companies are developing weight loss medications for dogs, but they are still in the experimental stage and are expected to enter the market in 2028 or 2029.
06 Scientific Weight Loss and Continuous Management
Scientific weight loss requires professional guidance and a three-stage shaping therapy. The first stage involves six tests: BCS body condition scoring, muscle mass assessment, thyroid T4 testing, abdominal ultrasound, blood glucose curve monitoring, and joint mobility testing.
Regular monitoring is crucial. For pets with diabetes, insulin injections are the primary treatment method, requiring twice-daily subcutaneous injections in the morning and evening, combined with regular blood glucose curve monitoring.
Establish a positive feedback mechanism. Some veterinary clinics visualize the scientific weight loss process by issuing “dog and cat weight loss certificates” and comparing photos of pets’ body shapes, significantly boosting pet owners’ confidence.
Consider probiotic supplementation. New research indicates that probiotic supplementation can promote weight loss in obese dogs by reshaping the gut microbiome and improving energy metabolism.
Smart pet feeders represent a new concept of scientific pet raising. It allows pets to be treated with precision through data, but through data. Long-term and stable dietary rules can help prevent obesity.
Every evening, you can see pet owners walking their pets in the community. A young man takes his Border Collie to an open field for frisbee training every week, and the dog excitedly runs back to its owner after completing each action.
An elderly man walks leisurely with his Tibetan Mastiff, whose once obese body is now well-proportioned, no longer panting while walking, and with significantly improved agility.
Maintaining a healthy weight requires scientific management and long-term commitment from the owner. Abandon the misconception that “fat is beautiful,” and use a balanced diet and moderate exercise to help pets overcome obesity.
As a veterinarian once said, “What is lost is not just excess fat, but the shackles that bind it.” Helping pets maintain a healthy weight is the most enduring form of companionship.