Free template · PDF · US Letter
Free Printable Pet Weight Tracker (PDF) — Dog & Cat Weight Log
| Date | Weight | Change | Body condition (1–9) | Food / portion | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weighing at home
For cats and small dogs, weigh yourself on a bathroom scale, then weigh yourself holding the pet and subtract; it is good enough for tracking trend if you do it the same way each time. Large dogs are easier on the vet's walk-on scale — many clinics let you use it between visits. Weigh at the same time of day, before a meal, and write the weight in the same unit every time.
The Change column is the point of the sheet. A healthy adult pet's weight should hold roughly steady; a steady drift up or down over several entries, even by small amounts, is what to show your vet. Sudden loss with no change in food is worth a call rather than a wait.
- Puppies and kittens: weekly, because growth is fast and the vet will ask.
- Healthy adults: about monthly.
- Pets on a weight-management plan, seniors, or those with a medical condition: every one to two weeks, or as your vet asks.
Body condition score, in plain words
Vets commonly use a 9-point body condition scale for dogs and cats. Ask your vet to show you how to score your own pet once — after that, you can track it at home.
| Score | Category | What you see and feel |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Underweight | Ribs, spine, and hip bones easily seen; little or no fat cover; obvious waist and tuck |
| 4–5 | Ideal | Ribs easy to feel under a thin layer of fat but not visible; waist seen from above; belly tucks up from the side |
| 6–7 | Overweight | Ribs hard to feel under fat; waist barely visible or absent; belly starting to sag |
| 8–9 | Obese | Ribs cannot be felt under heavy fat; no waist; fat deposits on the back, base of tail, and abdomen |
Coat length and breed shape make visual scoring unreliable — the feel of the ribs is the most consistent cue.
How to use this sheet
- Print the PDF and keep it with the pet's vaccination record or on the fridge.
- Weigh at the same time of day and in the same way each time, and write the weight and date.
- Calculate the change from the previous row — that is the number to watch.
- Score body condition from the table, and note the current food, portion size, and typical activity so changes can be explained.
- Bring the sheet to every vet visit; mention any steady drift or sudden change.
Questions
Is this sheet really free?
Yes. The PDF is free to download and print — no sign-up, no email, no watermark.
What is a healthy weight for my dog or cat?
It depends on breed, frame, and age, so there is no single number — body condition score is the better guide. Your vet can tell you the target for your pet; the sheet tracks progress toward it.
How much weight change is a concern?
Any steady trend over several weigh-ins is worth mentioning to your vet, and unexplained loss of more than a few percent of body weight merits a call. The sheet does not set thresholds; your vet will.
Can I use this for other pets?
Yes — rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals benefit even more from regular weighing because they hide illness. Use a kitchen scale and grams.
Is there an app version?
Yes — PawLog for iPhone records weight, food, medication, and vet visits per pet and charts weight over time. Core is free, no account needed, and your data stays on your device.
Want the log to analyze itself?
PawLog for iPhone tracks the same things in seconds and shows you the patterns — free core, no account, and everything stays on your device.