A weight-loss plan for a dog is a long, quiet job, and most of it is decided by what happens between weigh-ins: the portions, the treats, the walks. The weigh-in itself is the one moment of feedback. A log turns that feedback into something you can act on. Written down, the numbers show the pace, the pattern and the week when something changed; remembered, they blur into “she’s doing well” or “he’s stuck”. This guide gives a log layout, a six-week example with the percentages worked out, rules for reading the trend and a list of actions for the common situations. The plan itself, the target weight and the calories belong to your vet. The Dog Weight Loss Calculator gives the starting numbers, and our dog weight loss plan explains the steps.
The log
Use one row a week. Keep the same scale, the same time of day (for example before breakfast) and the same method; see how to weigh a dog at home.
| Week | Date | Weight (kg) | Change since last | % since last | Since start | Daily food (g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | |||||||
| 1 | |||||||
| 2 |
Add a column for treats if you give them, and one for exercise. The more that is written down, the easier the pattern is to see.
The formulas
% since last = (this week − last week) ÷ last week × 100 % since start = (this week − start) ÷ start × 100 average per week = % since start ÷ number of weeks
The AAHA guidelines describe a loss of about 1 to 2% of body weight a week as a general safe range. Your vet may aim lower for your dog.
A six-week example
A 24 kg dog with a vet-set goal of 20 kg.
| Week | Weight | Change (kg) | % since last | % since start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 24.0 | |||
| 1 | 23.8 | −0.2 | −0.83% | −0.83% |
| 2 | 23.5 | −0.3 | −1.26% | −2.08% |
| 3 | 23.3 | −0.2 | −0.85% | −2.92% |
| 4 | 23.0 | −0.3 | −1.29% | −4.17% |
| 5 | 22.9 | −0.1 | −0.43% | −4.58% |
| 6 | 22.5 | −0.4 | −1.75% | −6.25% |
Over six weeks the dog has lost 1.5 kg, 6.25%, an average of 6.25 ÷ 6 = 1.04% a week. That is inside the range. The single weeks are not: week 5 was 0.43%, below the range, and week 6 was 1.75%, near the top. This scatter is normal, so judge the pace by the average over several weeks, not by one result. The Pet Weight Change Calculator gives the percentage for any two weights.
Reading the trend
| What you see | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Average within 1 to 2%, steady | The plan is working | Carry on, keep logging |
| One slow week among good ones | Normal scatter | Do nothing; look at next week |
| Three or more slow weeks | Extras creeping in, or the amount needs review | Weigh the food, count treats, tell the vet |
| A week with a rise | Water, food or timing | Re-weigh at the same time next week |
| Average above 2% a week | The pace may be too fast | Tell the vet before changing anything |
| Loss has stopped for a month | A plateau; the plan may need review | Ask the vet; do not cut food sharply |
The log lets you see which row you are in. One reading does not tell you much; the shape of the line does.
The goal date, updated
At each weigh-in, you can recalculate the goal date from the current weight; see how to calculate a pet weight goal date. For the example dog at week 6 (22.5 kg) and a goal of 20 kg, at 1% a week the straight-line estimate is (22.5 − 20) ÷ (22.5 × 0.01) = 11.1 weeks more. The date moves as the pace changes. A recalculated date is a better guide than the original one.
Treats and extras
Most plateaus have a small cause in the bowl or the pocket. A few bites of dropped food, a child’s share or a dental chew can add up. Weigh the portion, count the treats and note anything new in the log. The sums are in treat calories per treat. If the log shows a flat spell, go back through the notes column before you change the plan.
Keeping the dog’s body in view
Weight is a number; the dog is a body. Photograph the dog from above and from the side every two weeks in the same place. A visible waist and tucked abdomen are as encouraging as a number, and a photo shows muscle as well as fat. Ask your vet to show you how to score body condition, and note the score at each vet visit; our guide to the dog body condition score chart explains the scale.
After the goal
When the dog reaches the goal weight, the plan changes. The calories rise to a maintenance level that your vet sets, and the log continues at a lower frequency, such as monthly, to catch any regain. Keep the old rows; they show how your dog responded and make the next plan easier if one is ever needed.
A worked example
Cam’s dog is at week 8. Weights since start: 24.0, 23.8, 23.5, 23.3, 23.0, 22.9, 22.5, 22.4, 22.4.
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total loss | 24.0 − 22.4 | 1.6 kg |
| % since start | 1.6 ÷ 24.0 | 6.67% |
| Average per week | 6.67 ÷ 8 | 0.83% |
| Last two weeks | 22.5 → 22.4 → 22.4 | −0.44%, 0% |
| Weeks to goal at 1% | (22.4 − 20) ÷ 0.224 | 10.7 |
The average has dropped to 0.83% and the last week was flat. Cam checks the notes: a family member has been giving extra biscuits. He weighs the food and the treats for a week, tells the vet, and the next two weeks show losses of 0.9% and 1.1%.
Standardise the weigh-in
Most of the scatter in a log comes from the conditions of weighing, not from the dog. Fix the conditions and the numbers get cleaner.
| Condition | Standard |
|---|---|
| Scale | The same one every week |
| Time | The same time, for example before breakfast |
| Toilet | After a walk and toilet visit |
| Method | Same position, same helper |
| Recording | Write it down straight away |
If you weigh yourself holding the dog, use the same clothes. Record any change to the setup, for example a new scale, in the notes column, so that a sudden jump is understood.
Sharing the log with your vet
A log is most useful when your vet sees it. Send the figures before a check-up, or bring the page. Ask the vet to confirm the target weight, the pace they want and what they want you to do if the dog stalls. A vet who sees the numbers can adjust the plan sooner than one who hears “he’s doing well”. Keep the log with the photographs, and keep going until the vet tells you the plan has ended.
Reading the log with a friend
A second pair of eyes helps. Show the log to a family member and ask what they notice. It is often easier for someone else to see that the slow weeks follow weekends, or that a plateau began when a new treat appeared. Add what you find to the notes and make one change at a time, so you can tell what worked.
Common mistakes
- Weighing on different scales or at different times.
- Reacting to a single week.
- Not writing down treats and extras.
- Cutting food sharply when the dog plateaus.
- Stopping the log at the goal.
- Ignoring a pace above the general range.
- Not telling the vet about the numbers.
Quick summary
- Log weekly: weight, change, % since last, % since start, food and notes.
- The example dog lost 6.25% in six weeks, an average of 1.04% a week, inside AAHA’s 1 to 2% range.
- Single weeks vary from 0.43% to 1.75%; judge the average over several weeks.
- Recalculate the goal date at each weigh-in.
- Check portions and treats before changing the plan, and tell your vet about a flat spell or a fast loss.
- Use the Dog Weight Loss Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I weigh a dog on a weight-loss plan?
Weekly or every two weeks is common. Your vet will say. Use the same scale, time of day and method.
What is a good weekly loss?
AAHA describes about 1 to 2% of body weight a week as a general safe range. Your vet sets the pace for your dog.
Why does the weight go up and down?
Water, food and toilet visits change the scale reading by a percent or two. The trend over several weeks is what counts.
What if the dog is not losing?
Recheck portions, treats and extras with a scale, then talk to your vet. Do not cut food sharply on your own.
What if the dog is losing faster than planned?
Tell your vet. A pace above the general range may need the plan to change.
Do I need to keep the log after the goal?
Yes, for a while. Weigh monthly to catch regain early.
Sources
- AAHA (2014) Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 50:1-11
- Pure arithmetic: weekly % = (this week − last week) ÷ last week × 100; average % = total % ÷ weeks
Related calculators
- Dog Weight Loss CalculatorPlan a safe weight-loss target: daily calories and how many weeks it should take.
- Pet Weight Change CalculatorTrack a weight change over time: percent change, percent per week and whether the pace is inside 1–2% a week.
- Pet Weight Goal Date CalculatorEstimate the date a pet could reach its goal weight at a steady weekly loss, inside the 1–2% a week range.
Keep reading
- Dog Weight Loss Plan: Calories and PaceA practical dog weight loss plan: how to set a goal weight, work out daily calories, choose a safe pace of 1 to 2% a week and track progress.
- How Fast Should a Dog Lose Weight?A safe pace for dog weight loss is about 1 to 2% of body weight a week. See kilograms per week, how long a goal takes, signs of losing too fast or too slowly.
- How to Calculate a Pet Weight Goal DateEstimate the date a pet reaches a goal weight at 1, 1.5 or 2% a week: straight-line and compounding methods, a 24 to 20 kg dog and why your vet sets the target.
- Exercise for an Overweight Dog: Start SafelyHow to start exercise for an overweight dog safely: a vet check first, a six-week build-up, low-impact options, signs to stop and how it fits with calorie control.