Each pet based on activity level, metabolism and environmental factors may need more or less food to maintain the ideal body weight. Dr. Richard C.Hill, VetMB, PhD, MRCVS, Waltham Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine  and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL explains how to assess a dog's body condition: "The puppy should have a waist visible form the sides and above and an owner should be able to feel the ribs without having a layer of fat over them. A good way to describe this is: If you rub your hand over the top of your knuckles, that's too thin, and then, when you rub your hand over the top of your closed fingers, that's about what it should be. If you rub your hand over the ball of your hand on the other side, over the meat of your hand, that's too fat. If your puppy is getting a little pudgy, cut back on the kibble. For a clearer picture, please click on the following links to download the respective Waltham Body Condition Charts.

 

	Waltham Canine Body Condition Guide
	Waltham Feline Body Condition Guide
	Waltham Feline Body Mass Index