Is Your Pet a Healthy Weight? Nutrition and Wellness Tips

Good nutrition and a healthy weight are essential for your pet’s overall wellbeing.
Whether you have a bouncy puppy, a lounging cat, or a senior companion, what (and how much) they eat plays a major role in their health, happiness, and longevity.

At Healthy Paws Mobile Vets, we know every pet is unique — and so are their nutritional needs. Here's how you can support your dog or cat's health through smart feeding, weight management, and personalised care.

Why Nutrition Matters

The right nutrition fuels everything your pet’s body does:

• Building strong muscles and healthy joints

• Maintaining a shiny coat and healthy skin

• Supporting a strong immune system

• Providing the energy they need for play, exercise, and everyday life

Poor nutrition or unbalanced diets can lead to issues like obesity, skin conditions, digestive problems, and even chronic diseases.

Good food is the foundation for a good life!

The Risks of Unhealthy Weight

Overweight or obese pets are at a higher risk of:

• Arthritis and joint pain

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Breathing difficulties

• Shortened lifespan

• Increased surgical and anaesthetic risks

Even carrying just a few extra kilos can put significant stress on a dog or cat’s body, especially as they age.

Underweight pets can also suffer from poor muscle mass, lowered immunity, and reduced energy.

How to Tell If Your Pet Is a Healthy Weight

Checking your pet’s weight at home is easier than you might think! Here’s a basic Body Condition Score (BCS) guide to help:

🐶 Dogs

Condition	Signs
Underweight	Ribs, spine, and hips are highly visible. No fat coverage.
Ideal	Ribs can be felt easily without excess fat. Waist is visible from above. Belly tucks up when viewed from the side.
Overweight	Ribs difficult to feel under a fat layer. Waist barely visible. Belly may sag.
Obese	Heavy fat deposits over ribs, spine, and tail base. No waist. Large, rounded abdomen.

🐱 Cats

Condition	Signs
Underweight	Ribs, spine, and hip bones are prominent. Minimal fat.
Ideal	Ribs can be felt with slight fat covering. Waist visible behind ribs.
Overweight	Ribs harder to feel. Waist not obvious. Abdominal fat pad present.
Obese	Ribs very difficult to feel. No waist. Noticeable fat deposits on abdomen, chest, and face.

If you're unsure, we can do a professional BCS check during your pet’s next home visit — and create a personalised nutrition plan to suit.

Nutrition Basics for Dogs and Cats

Good nutrition isn't just about filling the food bowl — it's about providing the right balance of nutrients to support your pet’s unique needs at every life stage.

Here’s what you need to know:

🐶 Dogs: Tailoring Nutrition to Life Stage and Lifestyle

Dogs have different nutritional requirements depending on their age, breed, size, and activity level.

• Puppies

  • Require higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, and DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) for healthy growth.

  • Should eat a puppy-specific diet until they reach about 80–90% of their expected adult size.

  • Larger breed puppies (e.g., Labradors, Golden Retrievers) need large breed puppy formulas to help prevent joint issues later in life.

• Adult Dogs

  • Need a balanced diet that maintains lean muscle mass and provides sustained energy.

  • Portion control is critical — even slight overfeeding can lead to gradual weight gain.

• Senior Dogs

  Tend to have lower energy needs but benefit from diets rich in joint support (glucosamine, omega-3s) and antioxidants for healthy ageing.

• Important Tips

  • Choose complete and balanced commercial foods that meet the Australian Standard for the Manufacturing and Marketing of Pet Food (AS 5812).

  • Many high-quality foods also voluntarily align with AAFCO nutrient profiles, providing an additional guide for nutritional adequacy.

  • Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily intake.

  • Avoid feeding fatty table scraps, cooked bones, or toxic foods (like onions, chocolate, or grapes).

🐱 Cats: Precision Feeding for Natural Carnivores

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a meat-based, high-protein diet.
They need certain nutrients found only in animal tissue, such as:

• Taurine: Essential for heart and eye health.

• Arachidonic acid: Important for healthy skin and coat.

• Vitamin A: Cats cannot convert plant-based carotenoids to active vitamin A.

• Kittens

  • Grow rapidly and need higher protein, fat, and calorie levels.

  • Should be fed a kitten-specific diet until around 12 months old.

• Adult Cats:

  • Need portion-controlled meals to prevent gradual weight gain.

  • Wet food can help support hydration, especially for cats prone to urinary issues.

• Senior Cats:

  • May have decreased appetites or dental issues.

  • Benefit from softer foods, enhanced hydration, and age-appropriate formulas supporting kidney health and mobility.

• Important Tips:

  • Feeding measured amounts twice a day (rather than free-feeding) helps prevent obesity.

  • Transition diets slowly over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upsets.

  • Monitor litter tray habits — sudden changes can reflect diet-related issues or health concerns.

Choosing the Right Food

When selecting food for your pet, look for:

• Australian-made and regulated products meeting AS 5812 standards

• Age-specific formulas: Puppy, kitten, adult, or senior

• Size-specific needs: Small breed vs large breed dog diets

• Special health needs: Dental care, sensitive stomachs, urinary health

• Named protein sources: E.g., chicken, lamb, salmon — not vague "meat by-products"

• Balanced nutrient profiles: Confirmed either by the manufacturer or third-party guidelines

High-quality foods may seem more expensive initially, but they often offer better digestibility, superior nutrient density, and long-term health benefits — saving you money on vet bills later.

How Much Should You Feed?

• Always check the feeding guide on the pet food packaging, but adjust based on your pet’s body condition and activity level.

• Weigh food portions with a kitchen scale for accuracy — guessing by eye can easily lead to overfeeding.

• Regular weight monitoring at home or through your vet is key for early intervention.

Every pet is unique — factors like breed, lifestyle, desexing status, and metabolism all influence how much food they truly need.

Helping Your Pet Lose Weight Safely

If your pet needs to lose weight, slow and steady wins the race.

✅ Switch to a vet-recommended weight management diet
✅ Measure meals accurately — don’t free-pour kibble!
✅ Limit treats to less than 10% of daily intake
✅ Encourage more activity through walks, playtime, or enrichment
✅ Regular weight checks to monitor progress

At Healthy Paws Mobile Vets, we can help you build a practical, achievable weight loss plan that fits into your lifestyle.

Why Choose Mobile Vet Nutrition and Weight Consults?

Having a vet come to your home means:

• We see your pet’s real eating habits and environment

• We create realistic plans suited to your routine

• We make weight checks and diet adjustments simple and stress-free

Plus, no stressful clinic trips!

Final Thoughts

Weight and nutrition are powerful tools for giving your pet the healthiest, happiest life possible.
With a little attention to their diet, weight, and exercise, you can help prevent serious health problems — and enjoy more wonderful years together.

If you're unsure about your pet’s weight or dietary needs, Healthy Paws Mobile Vets are here to help.
From tailored nutrition advice to gentle weight management programs, we’re ready to support your pet’s best life.

🐾 Book a nutrition and weight consult today — because every pet deserves to feel their best!