Lifetime health & preventative care
Healthy weight, body condition & muscle
Use trends and body checks alongside an individual feeding plan.
More than breed weight
A breed weight range cannot tell you whether your dog is healthy. Frame, individual size, fat and muscle differ. Ask your veterinary team to assess body condition and show you how to recognise the rib cover, waist and abdominal tuck appropriate to your dog. Long coats can make looking alone misleading.
A useful observation record
Usual for your dog
Note their normal appetite, activity, comfort and toilet habits.
What has changed?
Record when it started, frequency and accompanying signs; take a clear photograph if useful.
Choose the next step
Use the specific guidance below. Seek urgent help for its emergency signs; a visual record cannot diagnose illness.
Muscle matters too
Body condition assesses fat stores; muscle condition assesses muscle. A dog can carry excess fat while losing muscle. Older dogs and dogs with disease may need closer attention to both. Do not assume a stable scale reading proves everything is unchanged.
Track and make achievable changes
Weigh using a consistent method when practical and record the date. Discuss a suitable target and check-in interval rather than pursuing rapid loss. Include treats, chews, table food and foods used for training in the diet history. Your vet can agree portions and activity suited to your dog’s health; do not cut a puppy’s or sick dog’s food using a generic online percentage.
When a change needs investigation
Unexplained loss or gain, reduced appetite, increasing thirst or a noticeable loss of muscle deserves veterinary discussion. Sudden deterioration needs more prompt advice. Do not put every weight change down to ageing or neutering. Read feeding and nutrition, activity planning and nutrition for older dogs for related practical guidance.
Continue your care plan
Parasites & Preventative Healthcare · Keeping my dog healthy · New symptoms: find the right next step
Evidence and review
General information, not diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Sources include veterinary professional guidance, veterinary charities and relevant regional parasite organisations. Clinical recommendations need individual veterinary interpretation.
About this guidanceReview details and sources
Evidence and review
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Review sooner if advice, distribution or requirements change.