Weight rarely changes overnight. It drifts — a little heavier each season, or slowly down when something is wrong. Regular weigh-ins turn that slow drift into something you can actually see.
Why it matters
Surveys suggest roughly 59% of dogs and 61% of cats carry extra weight. That raises the risk of joint disease, diabetes, breathing trouble, and a shorter life — while sudden loss can be an early warning of illness.
The scale is only half the story
Pair the number with a body condition check — what you feel matters as much as what you weigh.
- You should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, without pressing hard.
- From above, look for a visible waist; from the side, a belly that tucks up.
How often
- Weekly or every two weeks at home is plenty to catch a trend early.
- A sudden gain or loss is worth a vet call, not a wait-and-see.
Healthy change is slow: about 1 to 3% of body weight per month for dogs, and 0.5 to 2% for cats. Tracked over time, small numbers tell a clear story.
