How much to feed
How do I work out my dog's target weight if I do not know its ideal?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Ask your vet to assess your dog's frame size and current body condition score at a check up, since they can estimate an appropriate target weight even without knowing your dog's exact history or breed standard. If you have an old photo or weight record from a time your dog looked visibly leaner, that can also help as a starting reference point.
Getting a professional estimate
A vet can assess frame size directly, feeling the skeleton structure at the shoulders and hips, which gives a more personalized estimate of appropriate target weight than a general breed standard alone, especially useful for mixed breed dogs.
This assessment, combined with a current body condition score, lets your vet suggest a realistic target weight range to aim for.
Using your own records as a reference
If you have photos or weight records from a period when your dog looked leaner and seemed healthy, energetic, and comfortable, that historical weight can be a useful starting reference point to discuss with your vet.
Be cautious with very old records if your dog has since changed significantly in age or health status, since an ideal weight from years ago may not directly translate to today.
Setting the target as a working figure
Treat any target weight as a working estimate to move toward gradually, expecting to reassess and fine tune it as your dog's body condition genuinely improves and is reassessed along the way.
A body condition score approaching 4 or 5 out of 9, with easily felt ribs and a visible waist, is often a more reliable final check than reaching an exact kilogram number.
Key takeaways
- A vet can estimate a target weight by assessing frame size and current body condition directly.
- Old photos or weight records from a visibly leaner, healthy period can serve as a useful reference.
- Treat any target weight as a working estimate to refine as your dog's body condition improves.
- A healthy body condition score is often a more reliable final check than hitting an exact kilogram figure.