A Healthy Weight Guide for Pets in Surrey
October 12, 2026
With October marking Pet Obesity Awareness Month, there’s no better time to take a closer look at what a healthy weight for pets really means.
At Molesey Vets we’ve seen many owners across Surrey who weren’t aware their pet was overweight – and this is more common than you may think! According to research commissioned by Pets at Home and conducted by Censuswide, a quarter of UK dog and cat owners, equivalent to an estimated 3.4 million people, have either never reviewed their pet’s food or can’t remember the last time they checked it.
With awareness being so important, our vets in East Molesey have put together this article to explain the key signs of a healthy weight and how to maintain it this autumn. If you need some reassurance, book a weight screening today with our friendly team at Molesey Vets.
The body condition score (BCS) system
Our vets in East Molesey use something called the body condition score to assess a pet’s shape, as this is one of the factors in determining whether they are overweight or underweight. This is a simple scale (usually from 1 to 9) where the middle range represents a healthy weight. At home, you can apply similar principles by looking at and feeling your pet’s body.
Visual checks you can do at home
Our team at Molesey Vets explain that you should start by standing above your pet and looking down at them, and then from the side:
- Dogs: You should see a slight waist behind the ribs when viewed from above, and a gentle tummy tuck when seen from the side.
- Cats: A visible waistline is ideal, though not as pronounced as in dogs. A sagging belly pouch can indicate excess fat.
- Rabbits and small furries: Shapes vary, but they should not appear rounded or have bulging sides when relaxed.
Hands-on checks
Molesey Vets’ team advise running your hands gently over your pet’s ribcage:
- Healthy weight: Ribs are easy to feel but not sticking out. There should be a light covering of fat over them.
- Underweight: Ribs, spine or hip bones are very prominent with little flesh covering.
- Overweight: Ribs are difficult to feel without pressing firmly, and you may notice a thicker fat layer over the back and base of the tail.
Why weight can creep up in autumn
Our vets in East Molesey recommend a weight screening this autumn to nip any issues in the bud – it’s normal to expect a slight weight increase during the cooler months, but it’s important to avoid this becoming an upward trend.
With reduced time outdoors due to colder weather, and the darker evenings for some, pets often get less exercise. Pair that with cosier routines indoors which can often mean more treats, and it’s easy for weight gain to go unnoticed. For dogs and cats especially, a thicker winter coat can mask any changes.
Our team recommend doing a quick monthly check to make sure your pet’s weight is staying consistent.
If you think your pet might be over or under their ideal weight, or if you’re unsure what their ideal weight is, don’t worry. Our team can help you understand what their ideal weight should be and provide a safe and personalised plan to help them get back on track – more often than not, it’s small changes that make a big difference. Get your personalised plan today.
