Ideal Weight Ranges For Dogs and Cats

by Sara Yoo 2

It was becoming a recurring event: at each yearly checkup, my vet would place my pup on the scale and utter those dreaded words, "She could stand to lose a few pounds." While Lily wasn't significantly overweight, I knew that with each passing year, I was putting her at greater risk for arthritis, heart and liver problems, diabetes, and more. So, armed with some tips from the vet and a little Internet research, I set about recalculating her eating habits based on a few numbers and some shrewd feeding decisions. First up: understanding her ideal weight.

Your vet should be able to provide an ideal weight range for your pet since he'll know your buddy's frame best, but we've provided some general guidelines for common dog and cat breeds. Keep reading for the full list.

Cats

Source: Association For Pet Obesity Prevention

Dogs

Source: American Kennel Club top dog breeds based on 2011 registration statistics

For more information on your dog breed's ideal weight, visit the American Kennel Club's website.

• Summer Shape-Up, Part 2: Be Your Pet's Calorie Counter
• Summer Shape-Up, Part 3: Read the Label
• Summer Shape-Up, Part 4: Toning Up Treats